Ibrox residents are celebrating after managing to get a Christmas tree despite the council being unable to afford to pay for it.
The council’s Govan Area Partnership decided the £3600 quoted for a tree should go towards helping people with the cost of living crisis instead of paying for festive decoration.
But Ibrox and Cessnock Community Council members have still managed to bring Christmas cheer to the area by securing cash from Scottish Water instead to pay for the fir.
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The community council said Scottish Water works have been “causing severe disruption" on "Edmiston Drive and to the wider area” so they decided to seek a “community payback funding settlement” from the organisation.
The tree has now been erected next to Ibrox Library and is awaiting lights.
Community council chair Avril Williamson said a diversion goes past the Christmas tree so thousands of people will benefit from a glimpse of it.
She said it is the first time a tree will go up at the library location - meaning Christmas cheer is “being spread across the ward.”
Avril added: “We are delighted that Scottish Water have been able to provide this funding after a multi-year campaign for a Christmas tree for our community. We’re really looking forward to those sparkling lights brightening up the dark December nights for Ibrox and Cessnock.”
Govan Area Partnership Chair Councillor Dan Hutchison said “Ibrox and Cessnock Community Council have done a phenomenal job securing this funding, particularly in such a difficult financial time and in doing so, allows additional funding from our Area Budget to be available for essential community projects.”
The Area Partnership had opted for one tree only at Govan Cross to be paid for by council central funding - with the local area budget remaining untouched.
But now the area is getting two thanks to Scottish Water help.
Councillor Hutchison, Scottish Greens, has been fighting to get the festive cost down after officials put forward proposals for the local partnership budget in Govan to spend £12,700 on lit up trees.
The politician was worried about frittering away vital public cash on Christmas trees amid the cost of living crisis.
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