TOWN councillors have voted against a £400 grant for The Maeldune (Maldon) Society's blue plaque scheme – with some members feeling that the group has asked them for funds because the district council is unable to help.

The circular blue commemorative stones can be seen on various buildings around the town, marking out historic people and places.

Each one bears the names of Maldon District Council and The Maldon Society in large lettering around the edge. The members at Maldon Town Council's finance meeting on Monday (19 August) - with much smaller funds than the district council and a remit confined to the town itself - felt the cash could be better used to help Maldon in other ways.

Councillor Stephen Nunn said: "I think we are being asked as an afterthought because Maldon District Council can't help anymore.

Maldon blue plaques sometimes in the wrong place

Cllr Nunn added: "Many of the plaques are confusing and sometimes in the wrong place."

It was also noted by councillors that The Maldon Society's funds are currently 'healthy'.

Councillor Mark Heard said: "I like to think that if we give these grants to any application it is to make a difference."

The idea of going into partnership with the society to help improve the plaque scheme was mooted by Councillor Swain, who added: "I agree with them in principle, but we really need them to be in partnership with us."

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• Maldon Nub News has hunted down a few of the plaques, pictured here. What do you think? Could the plaques be used more effectively to promote the town? Or are there other low-cost ideas to help attract people to historic Maldon?