Vote on whether to keep Peterborough Cathedral Square water fountains
It will cost the council £35,000 to repair and operate them
People are being asked to vote on whether to keep the water fountains at Peterborough Cathedral Square, after it was revealed it will cost £35,000 to repair and operate them this summer.
The city council have asked the question on their social media pages and encouraging locals to share their opinions.
Every year the council spends around £20,000 to cover the annual running costs including routine maintenance, water testing and the cost of water and chemicals.
But at least an additional £15,000 would need to be spent this year to get the fountains working.
This is for an upgrade to the dousing unit system and pump which maintains the correct chemical balance and other works needed to the pit room.
"We are now a financially sustainable council, which means that we are living within our means."
Councillor Fitzgerald said: “We have seen in the past couple of years that the fountains are becoming more prone to faltering and of course they require new parts which are often costly.
"This is partly because the fountains are now 13-years-old and, like an old car, they require more maintenance.
“For all intents and purposes, we are now a financially sustainable council, which means that we are living within our means.
"To get to this point, we have had to look very hard at every penny that we spend and question whether it’s a good use of taxpayers’ money.
“This is now the situation that we face with the Cathedral Square fountains.
“I know that there are many people who like them, indeed I do - and many children too – and it makes our city centre look attractive, but on the flipside, they are becoming more costly to operate and this will only continue."
The poll will run on the council's Twitter, Facebook and Instagram page until the of Wednesday 7th June.