Street Lighting Overhaul Defended

12.00.00am GMT Thu 12th Jan 2006

Cllr Steve Smith, has hit back at claims that the overhaul of Leeds' street lighting will be carried out without allowing local people to have their say.

Cllr Smith, Executive Member for City Services was reacting to a motion tabled in the meeting of full council yesterday (11th January) calling for a premature end to the evaluation of advertising on lamp posts currently under way in various parts of Leeds. He claimed the opposition motion served no purpose other than to delay a scheme that would bring wide-ranging benefits to Leeds residents. He questioned the motivation of Cllr Minkin, who proposed the motion yet turned down an earlier opportunity to oppose the trial when her party was in power.

The adverts are being trialled as part of the scheme to completely revamp Leeds' ageing street lighting. Under the proposals the placement of adverts on lamp posts will raise revenue that will go towards replacing the current yellow lights with brand new, brighter, whiter lamps and fund other improvements on the city's highways.

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Smith said: "This is a good proposal. The pilot needs to continue to run so that problems are ironed out and a real evaluation of the issues surrounding the proposal is conducted. I hope people who respond to our feedback see that the on street benefits of this proposal match the very real financial benefits for all Leeds council tax payers for a very long time."

"I believe we should be taking all reasonable steps to keep council tax down. This proposal has a real chance of doing just that. This scheme has the potential to earn up to £1 million each year it is operated. Every penny generated from such a scheme - were it to be recommended - will ease the bill for council tax payers. "

"Cllr Minkin already had a chance to vote against proposals for advertising on lamp posts when she sat on the executive board that considered the original business case in May 2004. Did she abstain - no. Did she vote against - no. The proposal has been scrutinised and called in since May 2004 mainly as a result of Cllr Minkin's interventions. What has changed her mind?"

The views in this Press Release are those of the Liberal Democrat Council Group, and not necessarily those of Leeds City Council, its Officers or of the Liberal Democrat Party.