CLEANAWAY - the company getting rid of Medway’s rubbish - has again refused to sign the legal agreement, three years after starting the job.

Medway Council’s Front Line Task Force portfolio holder Cllr Janice Bamber, revealed the refusal during the latest argument in the row over Cleanaway’s relationship with the council.

"The contract has been sent again to Cleanaway to sign but once again they are trying to alter the agreement since they were confirmed with the contract," she told Medway council.

The multi-million pound contract is due to run to 2008, with the possibility of an extension into the next decade.

Opposition councillors slated her for refusing to meet regularly with the company, and for cross-examining its directors during a scrutiny committee meeting where she is not a member.

Bill Esterson (Lab) told councillors it was astonishing how she revealed her ignorance of the contract working.

"She should meet the contractors, at least once a week," he insisted.

But Tories rallied to her defence.

The Conservative Whip, Ken Bamber, said Cleanaway had had ample time to sign the contract after spending a year in discussions with his wife.

"We have got it buttoned up completely, but they don’t see that," he said.

Howard Doe, a Cabinet colleague, said: "I have not seen anyone work quite so hard as Cllr Janice Bamber because this contract is so complex.

Cllr Diane Chambers (Con), said: "Cleanaway had to be dragged screaming to provide their report to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, but instead of giving a report of what they have done, they gave a hard sell on what they wanted to do."