Leeds Council chiefs have launched a consultation over plans to axe the city and community bonfires it has previously held on November 5 – including the one in Bramley Park.
As previously reported, the council is proposing to permanently end its Bonfire Night and firework events due to the large costs of holding them.
The proposals come after the council said that holding the Bonfire Night events would save an estimated £215,000 every year.
A spokesperson for Leeds City Council said: “A consultation was launched on the 16 February for residents to share their views about bonfire and firework events not to resume. The council is working hard to cut all non-essential spend in the current financial climate and there is a cost of £215k each year to hold these events, and it is proposed that future displays no longer take place from 2023.
“The Council budget position received at Executive Board in December 2022 identified an estimated gap of £65.7m for the 2023/24 financial year, with a further gap of £84.5m over the following two years. The Council continues to be committed to working with partners to ensure that significant community and cultural events will still be able to take place later this budget year.”
The council usually holds events in Roundhay Park, Bramley Park, East End Park, Middleton Park, Springhead Park and Woodhouse Moor. he event in Roundhay can attract up to 70,000 people, and the one in Bramley Park usually attracts several thousand attendees.
The last events were held in 2019 but have been cancelled in the past three years due to the Covid-19 pandemic and costs.
The bonfire consultation is taking responses until Tuesday, March 7, at 5pm. Once the consultation is over a final decision is due before the end of March. Have your say here.
Just cancel the thing, Bonfire night is just an excuse to cause mayhem,. I can bet that most of these people who do these fires, and attend, don’t even know who Guy Fawkes was….
I agree with the Council cancel all bonfires.
I would also prohibit the use of fireworks also as these are used year long causing nuisance and distress to all.
I would guess that the majority of people attending a bonfire don’t even know what event they are celebrating.
Waste of tax payers money and harmful to the environment.