by Nick Lillitos

A council has spent £40,000 - asking people how it can save cash!

Kent County Council has been slated for spending thousands asking the public how it could be more prudent with its cash.

People in towns across the county were asked to travel to Ashford to help KCC identify ways to economise - in an exercise costing the taxpayer £40k.

In Gravesend, one resident said he was offered up to £120 in expenses to cover travel and food costs to attend the 60-strong 'focus group' meeting last Saturday.

The authority wanted to hear what services residents value most and those they're content to see cut.

One man approached in Gravesend's High Street, Colin Gardner, said: "I was asked to travel to Ashford by a person with a clipboard to advise on what services to cut."

The consultation exercise was organised on behalf of KCC by research firm Ipsos MORI.

Mr Gardner, 75, retired tugmaster, of the Drive, Gravesend, said: "They offered me about £120 to meet my travel and food expenses, and said there would also be a car to meet me at Ashford station.

"I told them I thought it was another example of wasting taxpayers' money. Those people in KCC are already paid to manage and make decisions. Why do they need to spend more of our money to help them do their job?"

Ipsos MORI denied payment reimbursement was £120, but declined to put a figure on it.

A KCC spokesman told the Messenger it was "imperative in the current climate that we know more of what people value and want, in order to make sure we are delivering the best services for taxpayers' money".

In a statement, the council said: "We want to give the public the opportunity to comment and to influence decision makers as part of the democratic process.

"This is in line with best practice for local authorities."