Maldon Town Council has voted to cover a funding shortfall faced by the historic Plume Library, due to additional works being carried out to preserve the building.

Ruth Earnshaw, treasurer of the Thomas Plume Library Trust, told members of the town council's finance and general purposes committee last night (Monday, 16 August) that the Trust is currently facing a funding shortfall due to works at the building taking longer than anticipated.

Ruth said that the Trust is currently short of around £5400 in funds to complete additional works to preserve the building, and asked for a contribution to the extra £518 needed annually to fund the increased maintenance costs for the improved fire detection and suppression system at the library.

Ruth said: "The main reason is that the building works project is going on for seven months rather than the three months anticipated."

Works on the building include the replacement of its ceiling and pannelling alongside internal works and the installation of new heaters and lighting above the book bays.

Councillors decided to agree to the costs after discussing the value of the library to the town.

Councillor Carlie Mayes said: "This is one of our assets. It is very important and I propose that we do fund this because of its heritage value to the town."

But councillors also expressed caution about dipping further into their funds.

Councillor Andrew Lay, who is the deputy town mayor and chairman of the committee, said: "My worry is that every time there's a shortfall, it comes to the town council to fill."

He added: "We have a duty of care as councillors because it's taxpayers' money."

The committee resolved to pay the additional £518 to cover the increased maintenance costs for the library's improved fire detection system but to review this next year.

Councillor Abdul Jhual Hafiz said: "We should fund it this year so that they have got enough time to budget for it next year."

Councillor Mayes added: "It would be ridiculous not to - again, it comes down to protecting our assets and protecting our assets inside it.

"I think books are the way forward."

The Plume Library is one of the oldest public libraries in England. It was gifted to the town by Dr Thomas Plume, who was born in Maldon in 1630, upon his death in 1704.

It is housed in the upper floor of the building attached to the tower of the former Church of St Peter, and contains over 7,000 volumes dating from the 16th and 17th centuries.

Councillor Mayes put forward the proposal to fund the additional costs of around £5400 to complete additional works to the building, which was voted through with six councillors for and two abstentions.

Councillor Mayes also put forward the proposal to pay the additional £518 for the fire detection system, and to review this next year - this was voted through with seven councillors for and one abstention.