FOUNTAINS could be switched off and pier prices hiked as Southend Council tightens its belt.

The council, which is facing an £8million power bill this year, says it is costing £600 a week to run its fountains, including Prittlewell Square and at the Civic Centre.

As a result it is proposing to either reduce the number of daytime hours they operate or to turn them off altogether during the winter.

City Beach’s fun fountains are also in the bean counters’ sights.

They operate all-year-round for ten hours a day at a cost of £50,000 a year to the cash-strapped council.

The council is proposing to reduce the seafront fountains’ hours of operation or only use them during the summer season.

Visitors to the nearby pier won’t escape the cutbacks and can expect to pay as much as 50 per cent more to tread the boards of the iconic structure if cost-cutting proposals are accepted by cabinet.

Underused bowling greens will be subjected to reviews with clubs being made to relocate elsewhere. The council says the remaining greens will have to become self-managed within three years and there will be “no subsidy for the discretionary service”

Belfairs golf course could also be handed over to an external operator in a bid to save the £40,000 a year subsidy given by the council.

Carole Mulroney, Lib Dem councillor responsible for environment, culture and tourism, said: “As far as the fountains are concerned we are already doing that and as far as I am aware there hasn’t been any adverse reaction.It makes sense.

“The pier charges haven’t been put up for five years by the time these charges come and they are relatively small increases. For the train it’s an extra 40p and for walking in the summer is going up from £1 to £1.50.

“We’ve done a review of the bowling greens and there are some that are not used but nevertheless still have to be maintained. We’re working with the bowling clubs to see if there are opportunities for diversifying. One club is interested in having a petanque court put in which adds to their potential membership.”

Ms Mulroney added: “We lose money on Belfairs and these are really straightened times. We have to look at every possible avenue as to wo we can maintain a service but perhaps do it in a different way to make the best use of it.”