The leader of Nottingham City Council has said it could take most of the next four years to find the resources needed to switch the fountains back on in Old Market Square. Councillor David Mellen, who has been re-elected as leader of the Labour-run authority, gave an update on the future of the fountains, a landmark water feature which formed part of the Labour Party's manifesto, published before voters went to the polls last week.
Speaking about the fountains, which were turned off in June 2022 due to water leaking into the electrical control room below Slab Square, he explained how the council does not currently have the resources to fix the water feature.
He told the BBC: "It's in our manifesto to repair and relaunch the fountains but the reality is that the water and the electricity involved are far too close together.
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"We don't want there to be a risky situation. I want to restore them but I don't want to do that based on foolish use of money that we haven't got. Health and safety reports have said it's not just a repair job. It's more fundamental than that."
He added that it could take most of the next four years to find the resources needed.
A Nottingham City Council spokesperson said: “The water feature in Old Market Square has been switched off because, 15 years after its installation, essential repair works are needed to ensure it can run safely
“A number of issues have been identified, including water leaking into the electrical control room below the Square, and we are exploring the options for getting it up and running again as soon as possible.
“In the meantime, we are looking at how the area can be actively used as part of our events planning again this year and in particular as part of the Nottingham Beach, which as always will be in the Square for the duration of the school summer holidays.”
The council continues to be monitored by the Improvement and Assurance Board (IAB), appointed as an oversight body at the council following issues including the collapse of Robin Hood Energy and the misspend of £40 million.
The Government confirmed in February that, despite there being "still much to do" in terms of improvements at the local authority, it would not be sending commissioners in at this stage.
The fountains are popular with locals and tourists alike over the summer months, with families often taking their children to play in the water on warmer days. The feature was installed 16 years ago when Slab Square was given a £7m overhaul.
Elsewhere across the city, the Victoria Embankment paddling pool has closed for good since the repairs were deemed by the city council to be too costly and complex. But, in an update last year, city council officials unveiled a plan to replace the facility, subject to funding being approved.
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