A LEADING councillor in Northallerton is trying to separate a new Christmas lights committee from the town council.

At Monday's annual meeting of the council, Coun John Coulson will propose a motion to this effect.

It is partly aimed at heading off elements of "political gain".

His action comes as the committee - formed under the umbrella of the council to tackle an illuminations crisis - prepares to present a decorations scheme to the public.

At Monday's meeting, Coun Coulson will propose that the working group be formed into the Northallerton and District Christmas Lights Committee with no affiliation to the town council.

But it would have representation from the council, shopkeepers, licensees and other organisations.

"This will encourage other groups to come forward to help and will also open the door for further financial donations," says Coun Coulson's proposal.

"It will also take away the political gain that some elected members are already claiming."

Coun Coulson refused to comment further on the "political gain" aspect of his proposal.

But he added: "If the lights committee was a separate entity to the town council it would attract more help and funding. This is because in the wider world people would be more interested in helping out. I feel strongly about this, that we could attract more funding as a separate committee."

The committee was formed after complaints about the poor state of Northallerton's Christmas lights and a pledge from the council to do something about it.

An inaugural meeting chaired by the Mayor of Northallerton, Coun Tony Hall, attracted representatives from stores, pubs and other organisations.

After a subsequent meeting, a £15,000 appeal was launched.

A spokesman for the committee said a follow-up session a couple of weeks ago had been "a positive meeting with good contributions from everyone there".

She said: "We are moving on and looking towards getting a scheme prepared, which will be presented at the next meeting.

"We hope to have something at the town hall for people to come and view, with examples of decorations and such with a view to sponsorship."

The annual meeting of the council is at 7pm in the town hall and the next lights committee session will also be in the town hall at 7pm on Wednesday, May 19.