Dear Residents,
We understand the Christmas Tree this year has been a contentious topic due to it’s new placement. Updates were posted at the start of December regarding the tree on the Parish Council Facebook page at www.facebook.com/hboparishcouncil. Additionally, mention of having to find a new location for the tree were placed in the Village Magazine in the October edition, stating that wherever the tree went this year would be a temporary move with the council happy to hear suggestions on alternative places for the Christmas Tree so that we can apply in advance for the appropriate licenses to ensure the Tree is both safe and legal wherever it is.
The issue arose in September when concerns were raised regarding the legality of where the tree was usually placed, around the pump. Specifically, with how the electricity to the tree was being supplied. As such the Clerk had to enquire with Essex Highways to determine a safe and legal way to power the lights to the Christmas Tree.
Unfortunately, upon doing so Essex Highways Authority, with safety in mind, had deemed the usual location of the Christmas tree at the pump unsafe. Adhering to their standards, which mandate a minimum distance of 0.45 meters between roadside furniture and the kerb, they would have denied us the coveted license to place the tree in its usual spot.
In the October meeting this was communicated via the Clerk’s Report stating that the November meeting will finalise the placement of the Christmas Tree for this year. In November it was resolved that the proposed order of preferred sites for a Christmas Tree were as follows:
- Duke’s Head
- Outside the School
- On the Church grounds
Duke’s Head offered the most practical solution on short-notice, providing a village view of the Tree for everyone while also being the only place that would be able to provide a source of power to the Christmas Tree at their own expense. This was communicated to residents on the official Facebook page for Hatfield Broad Oak Parish Council and through the HBO community group. The power to purchase the tree and erect the Christmas Tree was done through Section 144 Local Government Act 1972 which states:
144Power to encourage visitors and provide conference and other facilities.
(1)A local authority may (either alone or jointly with any other person or body)—
(a)encourage persons, by advertisement or otherwise, to visit their area for recreation, for health purposes, or to hold conferences, trade fairs and exhibitions in their area; and
(b)provide, or encourage any other person or body to provide, facilities for F1. . ., conferences, trade fairs and exhibitions or improve, or encourage any other person or body to improve, any existing facilities for those purposes.
(2)Without prejudice to subsection (1) above, a local authority may contribute to any organisation approved by the Secretary of State for the purposes of this subsection and established for the purpose of encouraging persons to visit the United Kingdom or any part thereof.
To safely secure the tree at the temporary location, the piping used to hold the tree at the pervious location was reutilised. In the November meeting it was agreed to spend up to £400 to install a new hole, however upon sourcing a quote – this came to £600. This was minuted in the December meeting and approved by Clerk and Chairman as permissible under Financial Regulations 4.1.
In total the cost of the tree and placement is as below:
- Cost of Tree (sourced locally) – £200 (approved
- Cost of digging hole, refitting piping and securing tree safely – £600
Total Cost: £800
Looking ahead, we want to assure you that we are actively seeking a more permanent and suitable location for the Christmas tree in the coming year. As previously stated, your suggestions and input in this matter are greatly welcomed; let’s collaborate to find a spot that not only meets safety standards but also retains the charm that makes the village’s Christmas celebrations truly special.
Kind regards,
Parish Clerk
