Stormont makes savings on bright Christmas
THE cost of adorning Parliament Buildings with festive cheer reduced considerably last year, it has emerged.
The display of Christmas decorations at Stormont last month halved in comparison with the expenditure in 2007, as Assembly officials tightened the purse strings in light of a credit crunch.
A Freedom of Information request submitted by the News Letter has revealed that brightening the corridors of power over the seasonal period cost the taxpayer 2,725.39.
This is in marked contrast to the year before, when the display of decorations cost 5,524.69.
Last year, the erection of Christmas trees inside Parliament Buildings, including the installation, decoration and removal of the artificial trees cost 890.
Eight garlands for the trees displayed in the Great Hall totalled 875.39.
Motorists and walkers in the Stormont estate would have noticed the bright lights of a real tree on the exterior of Ulster’s most recognisable building – this display, including decorations, cost 960.
An Assembly spokeswoman said the huge disparity in festive costs over the space of a year was due to the purchase of new decorations, which have been reused.
“In 2007, the Assembly purchased a number of Christ-mas decorations including garlands, silks and artificial trees with a view to reusing them in subsequent years reducing the costs to the Assembly,” she said.
When asked if officials were being more prudent with their spending given the economic conditions, the spokeswoman said: “The Assembly is always mindful of ensuring value for money in all its purchases.”
DUP Assembly Commission member Stephen Moutray welcomed the “considerable decrease” in expenditure on decorations.
“While it is important that Parliament Buildings look their best throughout the year and particularly at Christmas time, everyone must be mindful of the fact that savings need to be made,” he said.
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Monday 28 May 2012
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