Switching off the lights is ill-judged

This programme has been given the go ahead by one single person, Cllr Peter Butlin, who has approved the detailed plans for implementation before they have been shown to other councillors or local people. He has also chosen to start it while at the very same time an all party task and finish group has been set up to examine the evidence for, and consequences of, such action.

This reckless decision flies in the face of all the Conservatives’ promises about localism, empowering communities and evidence-based decisions . The lack of real consultation typifies the hypocrisy and shallowness of the current administration.

They say they would welcome our views but how much better it would have been if they had shown the plans to local communities before implementation and allowed the people who know the area best to decide which lights to keep on.

They also quote savings of half a million pounds. What they haven’t said, is that this scheme will cost at least £1.6m to equip, a sum which will have to be borrowed. The annual cost of servicing that debt will be over £130k, making a possible net saving of around £370k or just about £10k per annum for each locality forum.

They claim that crime goes down when lights are turned off but cite no evidence or studies; even if that is true, it is likely to be as a result of a shift in the pattern of crime. Common sense says that attacks on people will be more likely and the risk of accidents higher. Once the cost of even one serious injury is factored in, there is no real saving and the net impact on the community will be negative.

I urge everyone to attend their local forum, see the plans and then let the ruling group know exactly what you think of them. - Tim Naylor, county councillor Leamington Willes.