THE issue of who pays for Tavistock's Christmas lights should be tackled sooner, rather than later, members of the town council last week agreed.

The council's properties committee was told that erecting the lights last Christmas cost in the region of £12,000 and talks were to take place between the works department, the chamber of commerce and Tavistock BID about the arrangements for next year's display.

Cllr Brian Trew said the council had stepped in to take over the erection of the lights when the chamber of commerce said it could no longer afford to do it. However, this had been a temporary measure, until Tavistock BID was up and running.

Cllr Trew said: 'We have fulfilled our part of the bargain. It costs us £12,000 a year, it promotes the town businesses, but this council gets no funds whatsoever from these businesses.

'Therefore, support for the businesses in the town is coming from the tax payers, which seems totally cock-eyed.

'I would suggest at an early stage we look into this and say it's time for the businesses of the town to support themselves.'

Cllr Anne Johnson, town mayor, agreed the council needed to 'start moving now' on the issue.

And Cllr Mandy Ewings said: 'Not only are we paying £12,000 a year, we are also one of the largest contributors to the BID, so we are probably paying nearer £30,000 a year.

'We need to be realistic about these figures and start negotiations with the chamber and BID. It's not sustainable and it's not fair to the residents of the town.'