It now turns out that Essex county Council have decide that it is just too difficult to have the lights back on in some places but not in others. In reply to a letter from Neil Stock (Con), leader of Tendring District Council, David Finch (Con), leader of Essex County Coucil, writes that this would be “administratively costly and unworkable”. You can see the full letter here – D Finch Response re Street Lighting – 17 Dec 15
Finally, when pressed to commit to a figure Cllr Finch tells us that it will cost £128,599.87 in the first year to keep the lights on, with no guarantee that this figure will not rise in future years. You can see the letter from Cllr Finch setting this out here – D Finch Response re Part Night Lighting – 4 Jan 16 .
I realise that, whilst Essex county Council have a legal responsibility to provide street lighting, the level at which this must be done is not closely defined. So, they [probably] have a legal right to turn off the light between 1:00am and 5:00am. However, to say that this has to be done for the whole of Tendring, because of the admin involved, is feeble beyond words. And then to pass on a bill for £130k pa to Tendring is more than my sense of humour is able to handle.
Now, there is something that you can do about this, You do not have to wait until 2019 when the next Tendring District Council elections are held. You get to vote for Essex County councillors in May 2017. Sadly not in this year. So, please make a note in your diary, tie a knot in your handkerchief, or whatever method you use. Just be sure that you do not vote these muppets back in for another term. Resolve now to never, never again vote Conservative.