Councillor Razia Daniels (Handbridge Park, Con), has raised concerns that Cheshire West and Chester Council is not prepared to spend £1,221.66 to maintain a nationally significant monument in Chester.
Minerva’s Shrine, on Edgar’s Field Park, Handbridge, Chester, is the only monument of its kind in Western Europe that remains in its original location. Unfortunately damaged through recent anti-social behaviour that allowed access to the Scheduled Monument, local Councillor Razia Daniels had raised this issue to be investigated. Whilst a temporary repair was undertaken, formal consent was required before a full repair could be undertaken.
With permission granted from the government and Historic England, and supported by an approved method statement for the repair and resetting of the iron grille, works have now hit a blocker – where the Council itself is not committing to pay for the works.
At a cost of £1,221.66 if delivered by the Council’s own Highways contractor, Colas, the urgent works to the Grade 1 listed monument have been the subject of delay due to the Council itself not paying for the works.
Arguing that responsibility for funding repairs local listed monuments should be from the Council, Cllr Daniels explained that:
“The Minerva Shrine is a Scheduled Ancient Monument of national significance, and it must be properly protected. At present, no Council funding has been identified for these essential repairs, which is concerning given the importance of the site.
“While I am always keen to support local projects, my Members’ Budget (a small fund of money, aimed to pay for community events and benefits) is limited and already committed to a number of other priorities to benefit Handbridge Park residents. It is not appropriate that funding for nationally significant heritage assets to rely on these limited resources.
“Sites such as this should be treated with the same level of importance, expertise and funding as the Chester City Walls. I will continue to press for the Council to take responsibility and fund these essential works on a scheduled monument. We must protect our local heritage.”
Agreeing with Cllr Daniels, Cllr Lynn Gibbon (Marbury, Con), Shadow Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy, Regeneration and Digital Transformation was exasperated that:
“Council indecision and bureaucracy should not be getting in the way of maintaining a scheduled monument. Minerva’s Shrine is a Grade 1 listed structure and, as a Council, it has a duty to uphold the highest standards and to maintain these fantastic parts of our culture. Given all relevant permissions are granted, all the Council needs to do is pay for it and it is returned to a good standard.
“Retaining our heritage is a non-negotiable. For £1,221.66, it is a very small price the Council must pay to bring our heritage back to the standards they must be kept in.”
