Bonfire Night cost row as council billed thousands

A row has broken out after a town council was charged thousands of pounds for hosting Bonfire Night celebrations.

Colwyn Bay town council was charged for barriers, bins, and staff management by Conwy council for the annual 5 November event which takes place on the town's promenade, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

It is organised and funded by the town council's fireworks committee and previously cost £16,000, but that has since risen to £26,000, town councillor David Carr said.

He added the charges were not "fair and equitable" for an event, and said the two councils should be working together.

The charges by Conwy county included £1,850 for barriers, £500 for bins, and £2,000 for staff management costs.

Mr Carr said Conwy Council was not involved in the organisation of the event and were "just going to provide barriers".

He also questioned why the town council was being charged for staff management costs, arguing that "staff are getting paid anyway".

Conwy county council said it charges staff time for undertaking the management of third-party events.

"A significant amount of work goes into the planning, contracting services, and in preparing event management plans to make sure events are delivered safely for residents," a spokeswoman said.

She added the minutes of fireworks committee and town council meetings showed that the town council had full confidence in Conwy county managing Colwyn Bay fireworks on their behalf "and recognised the event management cost quoted represents good value for the hours of work required".