Local Conservative councillors have raised concerns over the maintenance of a Grade I listed monument in Chester.

Minerva's Shrine, a Roman shrine dedicated to the goddess Minerva, is located in Edgar's Field, Handbridge. The listed monument is the only shrine of its kind in Western Europe to remain in its original location.

However, the site was recently damaged during an incident of anti-social behaviour, prompting calls for repairs to be carried out.

Cllr Razia Daniels (Handbridge Park) has now raised concerns that Cheshire West and Chester Council will not fund the necessary maintenance to the historic monument.

The Conservative councillor said she requested that the issue be investigated following the incident. While temporary repairs were undertaken, formal consent was required before permanent works could proceed.

Permission has since been granted by the government and Historic England, alongside an approved method statement for the repair and resetting of the iron grille. However, the repairs have yet to move forward, with local Conservatives stating the council "is not committing" to fund the works.

The works, which would cost £1,221.66 if carried out by the council's highways contractor, Colas, have been subject to delays.

Cllr Daniels argued that responsibility for funding repairs to listed monuments should lie with the council.

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"At present, no council funding has been identified for these essential repairs, which is concerning given the importance of the site," she said.

"While I am always keen to support local projects, my Members' Budget is limited and already committed to a number of other priorities to benefit Handbridge Park residents.

"It is not appropriate that funding for nationally significant heritage assets to rely on these limited resources. We must protect our local heritage."

Cllr Lynn Gibbon (Marbury, Con) said: "Retaining our heritage is a non-negotiable. For £1,221.66, it is a very small price the council must pay to bring our heritage back to the standards they must be kept in."

A spokesperson for Cheshire West and Chester Council said: "The Council recognise the historic importance of the shrine as a Scheduled Monument and officers from the Cheshire Archaeology Planning Advice Service have worked with Historic England to agree formal consent for a full repair.

"The consent is supported by an approved method statement for the repair and resetting of the iron grille.

"As landowner the Council is now seeking to identify a source of funding for the required repairs."