A permanent Christmas tree to mark the celebration of life that will be illuminated annually and planted near the cenotaph has received financial support from Congleton Town Council.

At last Thursday's Congleton Town Council meeting of Finance and Policy Committee, councillors discussed a £500 grant application from Congleton Rotary, which would go towards the cost of the 'Tree of Light'.

The 'Tree of Light' is a celebration of life for our community for the bereaved to 'remember' their loved ones and for families who are unable to be together at Christmas.

A permanent Christmas tree would be planted in the Lawton Street Community Garden by the refurbished cenotaph that will be illuminated annually over the Christmas period.

The community will be able to buy stars and write their message/greeting on. The stars will be hung round the Christmas tree each December until early January.

Last year, Congleton Town Council paid for the 'Tree of Light' through sponsorship and a "generous" £1,000 donation from Congleton Rotary.

However, due to Covid-19, Congleton Rotary have not been able to carry out their normal fundraising this year and consequently had to make a grant application.

Cllr Paul Duffy told the meeting that the Christmas in Congleton committee had a meeting four weeks ago, which Congleton Rotary attended, and he felt that all Christmas budgets had already been approved.

Cllr Duffy added: "This is a new application, which I don't believe was discussed at that meeting. All the finances and what Congleton Town Council was going to support at the Christmas budget was agreed at the working group."

The Liberal Democrat councillor proposed postponing making a decision on the application for a month to seek further clarification regarding the Christmas budget.

Cllr George Hayes said: "Much as I appreciate the additional knowledge that Cllr Duffy brings, the application has been made and I think it needs to be considered as a grant rather than the broader Christmas budget.

"I believe this is an incredible poignant and reflective opportunity for this council."

Cllr Duncan Amies said: "We fully supported this last year and I think with everything that has been happening with Covid-19, we should fully support it this year too."

Cllr David Brown said: "I think this would be a tremendous asset for the town and something that people who have lost one of their loved ones would get a lot of satisfaction out of. I totally support it."

Cllr Kay Wesley said: "I visited the 'Tree of Light' last year and the little ceremony that they had, and it was really lovely, and I thought it was a brilliant idea for Congleton.

"Last year I took my mum along and we hung something on the tree for my long-gone father, and this year I was hoping to hang something on the tree for my mum who is not here. I think a lot of people have lost people this year and we absolutely should be supporting this."

Cllr Russell Chadwick, who sits on the Christmas Tree committee, told the meeting that the committee has not made provision for the grant application in the Christmas budget.

Cllr Chadwick added: We have lost 45 people within Congleton this year, so it is heartfelt and poignant."

Despite supporting the application, Cllr James Smith wanted the town council to be "careful" and not ending up funding "everyone's funding shortfall" because of Covid-19 as he felt the town council would be "inundated" with funding shortfalls.

Cllr Duffy added: "I absolutely support the 'Tree of Light' and everything it stands for, it is a fantastic project. I just wanted to make sure, we had a full discussion on budgets, and I am still not 100% clear."

Responding to Cllr Smith, Cllr Chadwick said: "Surely as a council if we find ourselves or our residents in a position where we have an emergency like we have had, surely the council is there to try and help people. Each grant application should be looked at on its own merit.

"We have only got a certain amount of money, my view on it is 'bring it on'. If our residents are in need of support, that's what the council is there for to support our residents, not to keep the money in the bank."

Cllr Rob Moreton said: "I don't really know why were still talking about this. We have had a hard six months; people have been really upset about what is going on and still will be for the foreseeable future. I am proposing we 'crack on' and we vote in favour of this."

Cllr Robert Douglas, chair of the Finance and Policy Committee, said: "I put a star on the temporary tree last year for loved ones who are not here, and I very much warmly support this application."

The application was approved.

Anyone and everyone can buy a star, they cost £5 each and can be purchased from the Congleton Visitor Information Centre, funeral service companies and from Rotary members.