No Pay, No Spray

A ROW has broken out over who should pay for repairs to the Victorian water fountain in Epping High Street.

Epping Forest District Council has agreed to spend £25,000 refurbishing the fountain, including a major overhaul of the lighting.

A fountain in Loughton was reinstatement solely with town council money.

And while Loughton district councillors say it is wrong for Loughton council tax payers' money to be spent on the Epping fountain Epping councillors say council tax money from Epping householders is going towards a £2.9m Loughton town enhancement scheme.

Once the work is done the Epping fountain will be handed over to Epping Town Council.

Loughton Independent councillor Stephen Murray said: "What I'm not happy about is that the full cost should fall on the district council. I've had a large number of residents in Loughton approach me to say surely there are other priorities for the district council.

"I think a lot of people in Loughton will have some difficulty in understanding how all the taxpayers in Epping Forest have to contribute towards the cost."

The fountain, returned to the High Street in 1989, was put up by the people of Epping in 1887 to celebrate the 50th year of Queen Victoria's reign. Its reinstatement came after part of the fountain was found on the former Cottis foundry site behind the High Street.

Epping Conservative councillor Matthew Colling said: "It has had a bit of a chequered past, this poor old fountain. It's a very pleasing feature in Epping market place, I think it will be money well spent."

Fellow Epping Conservative councillor Chris Whitbread said: "I'm sure Loughton wouldn't begrudge us £25,000 for a landmark when we're giving £2.9m for the Loughton town enhancement scheme."

Epping Tory councillor Sue Perry added: "It's a shame people are so small-minded."

Epping Liberal Democrat councillor Jon Whitehouse said: "It's the general principle that when we transfer assets we transfer them in a good condition."

The district council hopes the fountain can be refurbished to help celebrate the Queen's 80th birthday.