A councillor has called for the lights to be switched off on common good funding being used for Christmas displays in Angus.
Carnoustie Independent Brian Boyd played Scrooge and said no common good fund cash should go to Christmas lighting displays because it encourages a “battle of the burghs”.
Mr Boyd said there should be a “level playing field” for Christmas lights as only four of the seven towns in Angus has a common good fund.
He said: “In Carnoustie we have been asked to do this for some considerable time because we don’t have a common good fund.
“Arbroath has received £6,500 towards their display from common good and we are only six miles away and could be in darkness.
“It splits the towns up and it’s always a contentious issue. The haves and have-nots situation doesn’t bring harmony within Angus.
“We’ll never get a situation where common good funding will all be merged but Christmas lights are not what it was meant for.”
Businesses in Carnoustie have already pledged money towards the town’s Christmas lights and Mr Boyd said that the same should happen in other towns.
Angus Council’s policy and resources committee recently approved common good applications for lights in Arbroath and Forfar.
The council administers the individual common good funds.
As part of the budget cycle council services have the opportunity to submit bids.
Other organisations may make bids for funding from common good funds in accordance with the application process and guidance notes.
At the start of the financial year Arbroath’s common good fund was £651,276; Brechin’s was £590,694; Forfar’s was £631,193; and Montrose had a balance of £440,533.
