Communities to get greater say on festive lights

Aberdeenshire communities could soon have far greater control over where festive lights and bunting are displayed, under policy changes.

Following an initial review by officers, Aberdeenshire Council is proposing a significant shift in approach – moving away from a centrally-defined model towards a more flexible, community-led framework which puts local groups at the heart of decisions about festive displays in their towns and villages.

Under the proposed changes, community groups will be able to apply to install festive lights on any street within their community, rather than being restricted to town centres or high footfall areas as is currently the case. The presumption would be that locations are approved, provided installations do not compromise the safety of road users or pedestrians.

The revised policy is designed to respond directly to feedback from community groups who have called for more freedom to shape festive displays that reflect local character, culture and identity.

The council’s Infrastructure Services Committee recently heard that more permissive, community-led framework will give communities primary responsibility for deciding where festive displays are placed and will remove restrictions which currently limit displays to specific locations.

It will also allow communities to expand or adapt festive displays in ways which best suit their area, while also aligning with the council’s full cost recovery policy to ensure financial sustainability.

Under the revised policy, the council would continue to fund a fixed annual allocation for electricity costs which will be distributed pro-rata based on settlement population.

Councillors were also advised that while communities would gain much more control, the proposals also introduce a clearer sharing of responsibilities between the council and community groups, particularly around costs.

Some existing lighting columns – particularly those of aluminium – are not suitable for festive installations and if they require replacement with steel columns or where additional columns are requested or electrical upgrades are needed, this would be directly funded by community groups.

Infrastructure Services Committee chair, Cllr Alan Turner, said: “I very much welcome these proposed changes to our festive lights policy, which represent a significant and positive shift from the current approach. The revisions are about putting communities firmly at the centre of decision-making and giving them a much stronger voice in how festive displays are developed in their own towns and villages.

“It is particularly important that our area committees will have the opportunity to shape the draft policy as it develops and that community views will be central to the next stage through engagement and direct discussions where needed. That open dialogue will help ensure the balance of responsibilities and costs is clearly understood and fair.

“These proposals have the potential to deliver real benefits for communities – enhancing the look and feel of town centres during the festive period, celebrating local culture and identity, supporting businesses through increased footfall and strengthening social and cultural connections. By empowering communities to lead the way, while taking a sustainable and responsible approach to costs, we can help create vibrant, distinctive places which people are rightly proud of.”