By Anna Whittaker, Local Democracy Reporter
Nottingham City Council has defended its decision to cancel the annual Bonfire Night event at the Forest Recreation Ground.
The Labour-run authority announced earlier this month it had “reluctantly taken the decision to cancel this year’s Bonfire Night and fireworks display due to increased costs caused by the cost-of-living crisis”.
The event was due to be staged at the Recreation Ground on Saturday, November 5.
But there was criticism of the decision at the city council’s full council meeting on October 31.
It would have been the first Bonfire Night event in three years, with previous events cancelled due to the Covid pandemic.
Councillor Pavlos Kotsonis (Lab), portfolio holder for leisure, culture and planning at the council, said costs to stage the event are usually around £30,000 and about £10,000 of income is made from the fairground and food and drinks.
The council has already said that “impossible choices” could be on the horizon after soaring inflation added at least £15m to the authority’s financial planning.
Roughly £6.9m of this is required for a 10 per cent pay rise for staff.
Councillor Kirsty Jones (Ind) said during the meeting: “Does the portfolio holder agree with me that it is very sad that the annual firework and bonfire display has been cancelled, in a time where many are struggling?
“This public event has been a wonderful free event for families to attend in the past and will now not be going ahead.”
Cllr Kotsonis responded: “The cancellation of the annual bonfire night event was done with a very heavy heart, particularly after the previous two events were cancelled due to the pandemic.
“The much-loved event is one of the annual events commissioned by the council and regularly attracts around 40,000 people.
“Rising prices meant the costs of the event would’ve significantly increased this year while income would have reduced.
“Like most councils, the city council is facing huge budget difficulties at the moment, exacerbated by inflation and energy costs.
“That meant the growing budget gap did not allow us to have this event this year.
“Other local authorities, Leeds, Manchester, Glasgow, and Cardiff, have also taken the decision to cancel that event.
“Whilst I am very disappointed that it was not possible to stage the event this year, the much anticipated season of Christmas events will be going ahead including the Christmas market at no cost to the local taxpayer.”
Councillor Linda Woodings (Lab) suggested the Nottingham Independents were being “political opportunists” by criticising the cancellation.
Cllr Woodings said: “I do recall the Nottingham independents putting forward a motion to full council about fireworks and animal safety.”
But the Nottingham Independents said they were talking about encouraging silent fireworks at the time.
Cllr Kevin Clarke (Nottm Ind), the leader of the opposition, previously told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the cancellation was “just another case of starving our residents of community services”.
Its cancellation comes amid significant cuts to other community services including the potential closure of three city libraries, while just four of nine children’s centres will be retained as part of extensive budget cuts announced earlier this year.
