Councillors have been told that £60,000 is needed to carry out full renovation works on the pontoon in Burnham-on-Crouch due to its "significant rust damage".

Officers at Maldon District Council have said the pontoon, which was installed in 2006 on the Quay for users of the River Crouch, "urgently requires renovation work to prevent accidents or significant damage".

A report to the council's strategy and resources committee says: "The projected life of the pontoon was 15 years and, due to an absence of any maintenance agreement or budget following its installation, the pontoon now demands a comprehensive assessment and renovation to ensure its longevity as a serviceable walkway for river users."

It says the pontoon's "significant rust damage" must be addressed to "reinstate the integrity of the structure".

The pontoon is accessible to the public and is used as a right of way to access a private ferry across the Crouch.

The renovation scheme is one of several capital projects that officers have put forward to the council prior to the approval of its 2022/23 budget and updated medium-term financial strategy.

Officers said: "As part of the budget strategy, the broad principles adopted in relation to capital are that expenditure will be financed from existing useable capital resources and not directly from revenue."

At the beginning of the 2021/22 financial year, the council had capital reserves of £2m.

£500,000 has been allocated to support the 2021/22 capital programme, which leaves £1.5m to support future programmes for 2022/23 and beyond.

The report on the pontoon scheme says the council is "liable for the pontoon for all river-users and has an obligation to ensure it is maintained appropriately".

The works, categorised as "essential", are set to be completed by November.

The strategy and resources committee has been asked by officers to review the capital strategy - which includes the pontoon project - and recommend it for approval prior to the full council meeting on 24 February.

The committee will make its decision on whether to recommend the strategy for approval on Thursday (3 February).

Members will also vote on a "pressing" proposal to replace the sale of memorial benches in the district's parks, which you can read about here.