Welshpool Town Council were divided over whether to pay a high price for reindeer to appear at the 2024 winter festival.

Heading into the autumn months, as the town council prepares to make plans for their autumn and winter events later in the year, the council discussed some of the expenses for their upcoming winter festival.

At a meeting on Wednesday, September 11, the town council viewed the quote for booking a pair of reindeer to appear at the 2024 winter festival, scheduled for November 23, with one councillor calling the price “ridiculous”.

Cllr Sally Fitzgerald said: “I honestly think that is far too much money for us to be spending. I think nearly £2,000 for two hours is ridiculous money.”

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Cllr Estelle Bleavis agreed, adding: “I fully agree. It’s too much money and we’ve had reindeer at the festival before. We’ve done it for three years now and it may be getting repetitive anyway.”

Cllr Billy Spencer disagreed, saying: “I think it’s a lovely gesture when you have children at these events. We go on about money, but we have the money for this. It’s a once-a-year treat.

“Can you give me an idea of what we’d have instead? By now we wouldn’t be able to get anything as good. What happens to this money if we don’t spend it, it goes back into the budget and gets spent on something else that might not be for the people.

“Some families will be going to a bunch of events throughout the season, but some don’t have that luxury. Coming to Welshpool’s festival might be what makes their Christmas. We need to be catering for those children.”

It was proposed to defer the matter for the sub-committee responsible for planning the festival, as well as consulting with the financial committee and full council over the issue.

Cllr Phil Pritchard added: "The fact is we haven’t got a lot of money. The rule was supposed to be that everyone cuts down on their spending, but I haven’t seen that happen, with every committee still saying ‘we want this’ and ‘we want that’.

“Every committee has taken no notice of the financial situation of this council. My opinion is, I’d love to do it, but we haven’t got the money. If you don’t have it, you can’t spend it.”