Doubts over Shifnal's Christmas lights switch-on
Shifnal's Christmas lights switch-on could be in doubt after a councillor walked away from the preparations by resigning from a working party saying he was frustrated by the lack of progress– leaving just two people to plan the event.
Town councillors have now been warned that they face an uphill battle to organise the event, which is due to take place on November 30.
An additional meeting of the council was told that Councillor Mark Mountford had stood down from the working party, leaving Councillors Ron Jowett and Brian Jones.
Councillor Mountford said in a statement that he was 'embarrassed' by the town's Christmas lights and that money was being spent 'unwisely'.
However, concerns were raised that there was now too much to do for such a small group.
Councillor Alison Jackson warned that there was a list of at least 30 jobs that needed doing for the switch-on alone. She said it was disappointing that members of the working party had been left 'high and dry at the last minute'.
She said: "As full council we have supported what the working party has done. If the event does not go ahead it is regrettable for the town."
Councillor Jowett volunteered to take the lead and organise the switch on but called for councillors' help.
He said: "I will put my head on the block and appeal to councillors to look at the bigger picture."
However, he warned that they could end up not having the event because of internal wrangling.
By Judith Sanders
