BOSSES at County Hall have been branded “Scrooges” after sending out strict rules about Christmas decorations in offices.

Business manager Deborah Urch wrote to staff telling them smart office users could not put up decorations in team zones because of the “need to maintain the clear, open feel of the office”.

She added: “The workplace co-ordinator will work with teams to identify a suitable communal area for a Christmas tree or festive decorations.”

A member of staff in Taunton said: “We’re used to a ‘bah humbug’ atmosphere from the County Hall Scrooges throughout the year, so it continues at Christmas.

“They talk about smart office – I reckon it should be stark office.”

A county council spokesman said: “Smart office staff may bring in nonelectrical festive decorations for their desks but at the end of each day these decorations should be stored in the lockers provided for staff.

“The nature of smart office means each day staff members could be sat at a different desk, which is the reason behind this policy.

“Safety of our staff is paramount and with less floor space in smart office there’s no longer room for a Christmas tree in all team zones.

“However, there are fixed decorated Christmas trees in the communal areas of the smart office.”