Alderley Edge Parish Council (AEPC) agreed at last night's meeting that three Christmas trees will be erected in the village this year at a cost of £1850.
As part of the transfer of assets programme, Cheshire East Council are no longer providing Christmas trees - so for the first year town and parish councils across the borough are having to fund Christmas trees themselves.
AEPC agreed that trees will be placed at The Parade, the junction of Ryleys Lane and London Road and at Wood Gardens.
The cost is approximately £180 for three 15ft trees. Cheshire East Council will then charge about £500 to put each tree up, adorn it with lights, erect a safety fence around it and then take everything away afterwards. AEPC will have to pay separately for an electrician to connect the trees up to the power.
AEPC also obtained a quote from a company which was £1860, excluding the removal and disposal of the trees, fencing etc so they decided to go with the Cheshire East Council option.
AEPC allocated a budget of £1000 for Christmas trees this year so it was decided that the extra £660 would be taken from the reserves.
Cllr Mike Williamson said "We will take it out of the reserves. we are not going to have two trees because we didn't know CEC were going to throw this at us. I think what we'll do is learn a lesson and budget appropriately next year."
Cllr Nigel Schofield said "If we do not go ahead trade in the village will suffer considerably."
Cllr Williamson added "We are going to do it, have three trees and continue to look for an alternative provider so we are not getting hit by £2000 a year."
AEPC were also considering putting a tree at the bottom of Macclesfield Road but decided it was not practical this year, due to issues regarding the power supply, but they will consider this for next year.
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