Southampton: Street lights could be switched off at 1am to save cash

Members are meeting next week to set the budget for the 2023-2024 financial year amid unprecedented challenges caused by soaring inflation and other cost pressures.

The Labour-run authority says it is determined to safeguard its financial position without imposing drastic cuts on frontline services.

Its budget includes proposals to switch off street lights in residential areas between 1am and 4am to reduce the authority's energy bill. As reported, concerns were raised when the plans first emerged.

Members of Southampton City Council are meeting next week to set its budget for 2023-2024 (Image: Newsquest.)

But many parts of Southampton will be exempt from the scheme, including parks, the city centre, major routes and areas with high rates of anti-social behaviour.

The council leader, Cllr Satvir Kaur, said the cost-cutting move would be kept under "constant review".

She added that 67 per cent of residents who took part in a public consultation had voiced support for the idea.

Cllr Satvir Kaur has unveiled proposals to switch off street lights between 1am and 4am (Image: Newsquest)

The council is also proposing to increase its share of the council tax by 2.99 per cent, plus two per cent to cover the rising cost of adult social care.

People living in Band B homes will have to pay an extra £1.23 a week while those in Band D properties will be charged an additional £1.58 - on top of any increases imposed by other charging authorities.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority and the county's Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, are both expected to raise their precepts.

Plans to switch off street lights in other parts of the country have run into opposition, with critics complaining it could result in an increase in crime and accidents.

A city council spokesperson said the scheme would be implemented in a flexible manner, allowing the authority to make changes as and when needed.

They added: "This includes regular reviews including taking into account any feedback on areas of particular concern for communities."

The council is facing extra costs totalling £33m in the coming financial year. The increase comprises inflation, a rise in the cost of adult social care, soaring energy bills, and a nationally-agreed pay settlement for local government employees.

Cllr Kaur said: "The current situation is unsustainable over the long term.

"Hampshire County Council is warning of bankruptcy and I join with them, and fellow council leaders across the country, in calling on the government to end this 'slash and burn' approach to local authorities.

"Despite enormous national pressure we remain ambitious for our city and will continue to focus on growth, jobs and investment."

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this article. Your support means we can bring you the latest breaking news, exclusive Saints features and coverage - and much more.

Digital subscribers get unrestricted access to all of our stories, our dedicated app including e-version of the newspaper, and an advertising-light website.

If you want all the latest articles delivered straight to your inbox you can join the thousands of subscribers who are signed up to our newsletters.

They include our popular daily morning news briefing, breaking news, crime and court, and Southampton FC bulletins - plus business, heritage and our what's on newsletters.