STREETLIGHTS could be switched back on in Clacton and Harwich, but council bosses have warned County Hall should pick up the bill.

Tendring Council has set aside £160,000 to pay Essex County Council to switch streetlights back on across the district.

However, the county council said it would only sign a four-year agreement, the cost of which would exceed the sum set aside in Tendring.

Most lights are turned off between 1am and 5am as part of the county council’s money-saving scheme. Talks the two authorities were put on hold in May after new Tendring Council leader Neil Stock set up a working party to decide which lights should be switched on and which left off.

It has emerged that residents want lights on in urban areas, including Clacton, Jaywick, Holland-on-Sea, Harwich, Bright-lingsea and Little Oakley, but villagers in rural areas do not want them back on.

Mr Stock said: “We have had a clear steer from rural villages and parishes that they don’t want them going back on – or want to pay for anyone else to have them.

“There are areas of the district where they should be put back on, such as Clacton and Harwich, but Essex County Council should be paying for it.

“Tendring is facing massive cutbacks and we need to save £4million over the next two years – and we know Essex are also facing massive cuts.”

He added: “But they can’t just cut services and hope that districts will pick up the bill. Streetlights could be the thin edge of a very thick wedge.

“Before we know it, we could be paying for potholes and libraries. It is not a tenable position.

“We have to stand up to Essex and say we want them to carry on paying for the service.”

Last month, Harlow Council reached an agreement with Essex County Council to keep Harlow’s streetlights on all night seven days a week.

Ivan Henderson, the Labour group leader on Tendring Council, said: “If Harlow could do it, why can’t we?

“Neil Stock should be listening to what people want – they have made it clear.

“The fear of crime has not gone away and is only going to increase as the police cuts increase.”

Councillors will decide if they want to proceed with switching the lights back on at a meeting of the full council on Tuesday.

It will then be up to Essex County Council to decide the cost.