ANGRY campaigners have accused Tendring Council bosses of using stalling tactics over a bid to switch the district’s streetlights back on.

Most streetlights are switched off between midnight and 5am as part of Essex County Council’s effort to save money.

Opposition Labour leader Ivan Henderson put forward a proposal for Tendring Council to pay County Hall £127,000 a year to have the lights switched back on.

But no decision was made at a full council meeting last month after council chairman Val Guglielmi deferred it to the council’s cabinet.

The Conservative cabinet has now delayed its recommendation until after a full report is drawn up by council officers.

Mr Henderson said the decision meant it was unlikely that lights would be switched back on this winter.

He said money to pay for the lights could come from the contingency fund, but the worstcase scenario would be a two per cent increase in council tax.

“That equates to £2.95 a year per household – I think people would be happy to pay that so that our streets are safer,” he said.

Tendring Council leader Mick Page said the authority needed to look at the figures carefully before handing over £127,000.