News

Dear Editor,

Re: Grass cutting responsibility returns to Shepway

The responsibility for street cleaning and grounds maintenance never left Shepway District Council.

Kent County Council were employed purely as a contractor when they made the disastrous decision to dismantle the direct work force three years ago.

The decline in the service over the last three years was primarily caused by the fact that their was no contract in place incredible as it may seem for an organization who at the time it was dismantled had a turnover of over £3m. This was highlighted recently in a District Auditor`s report.

Now Shepway DC are once again going to do their own work themselves once again. What the Leader is not telling you is at what cost.

Late last year, the Chief Finance Officer told a Council Committee that he had £500,000 of reserves earmarked for the re-introduction of the direct work force. Already over £200,000 has been spent.

The sheer cost and inefficiency of these actions is mind-blowing. Still its not their money, its ours.

Colin Tearle

Leader-Shepway Independents