A Norfolk council could stop funding the maintenance of an historic church clock, which was installed in Victorian times.
The clock at Aylsham Church is maintained by the town council, but new councillor Rod Dennis has proposed to stop the service 'because it is not public property and is therefore not something the public purse should be expected to pay for'.
His proposal will be discussed at Aylsham Town Council's meeting on Wednesday, February 21.
However, the Revd Canon Andrew Beane, the church rector, said the proposal could be blocked.
He said: 'I believe the council has a statutory duty to maintain the clock from an act of Parliament. There has been a clock at the church since 1552 and the current one was installed in 1880.
'If the council wants to stop maintaining it, we will have to look what the situation is, but the church clock will continue to be maintained whatever.'
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here