Floodlights in St George’s Square will enhance the town centre, senior councillors have said.

Questions were asked at this week’s Full Council about why the authority was spending £45,000 on lighting the facades of some buildings in Huddersfield’s St George’s Square.

Clr Elaine Ward, Conservative for Denby Dale, asked why they were illuminating the square when “much needed street lights across the borough” were being turned off.

Clr Peter McBride, Cabinet member for place, said: “We’re doing it for the same reason as your administration spent £4.5m on doing St George’s Square at the beginning of this austerity programme and I believe they were sensible in doing that.

“It will enhance what has been a brilliant successes.”

Clr Ward replied that the £45,000 could be split between departments to help residents, but Clr McBride replied that they had to fund projects that keep the town thriving.

“We’re going to get this ridiculous question again and again,” Clr McBride said. “The answer is that this council has to invest for the future – for future employment that keeps the town alive.”

Phil Scott, Almondbury Lib Dem, questioned how the Cabinet could propose cuts when spending money on non-priority projects.

Clr McBride added: “Things like the Festival of Light, Spirit in Dewsbury and the Food and Drink Festival have all had a massive impact on footfall and investment in the town.

“Yes there need to be cuts but sometimes we also need to make investments.”

The lighting scheme will cover Lion Chambers, the lion statue and Britannia Buildings.

Low-energy lighting will be used to keep maintenance and energy consumption costs to a minimum and the lights will be switched off around midnight to further save on energy.