Councillors have been told savings are “essential” as they met today to discuss controversial plans which could see four waste centres in the county closed as part of a huge cost-cutting drive.

Under one option being considered by Kent County Council (KCC), recycling centres in Dartford, Faversham, Maidstone and at Richborough near Sandwich would all shut permanently.

Cllr Susan Carey, KCC cabinet member for the environment, told a meeting of the authority’s Environment & Transport Cabinet Committee the council faces little choice but to press on with plans to make deep cuts to services.

She said: “The only way we can deal with the scale of saving that we have to make is to consider closing some of the recycling sites.

“I totally appreciate that if it’s your local recycling centre then you’re going to have opinions on it. We will have no such services at all if we cannot balance our budget.”

“It is essential that we make these savings,” the Conservative councillor added.

Cllr Ian Chittenden, a Liberal Democrat representing Maidstone North East, described the proposals as “short-sighted”, while Labour’s Barry Lewis criticised the choices being put before councillors.

Cllr Lewis, who represents Margate, said: “Option 1 says Richborough should close, option 2 says Richborough should be closed and guess what, option 3 says Richborough should close – that’s not a real choice.

“It’s like saying how would you like to be killed: hanged, shot or poisoned?

“And this ludicrous idea that you can cut it to five days – nobody has consulted with the union about this. You’re heading for a major dispute with the unions if you implement any of these options.

“Don’t come crying when there’s a massive reaction by the unions and the workforce if these centres get closed."

Councillors voted to further tweak the proposals via a working group, and then put the planned cuts out for a 12-week public consultation.