More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Kent County Council is paying another council £675,000 to allow its residents to use the authority's three tips.
Part of the cash being paid to Medway Council is being used to provide body-cam wearing security guards in case of confrontations.
Medway had been set to ban Kent residents from using its facilities from the start of June.
But it performed a u-turn after agreeing a 12-month financial deal with KCC.
The figure was revealed at Medway Council’s overview and scrutiny committee meeting last Thursday
The shake-up came about after Kent decided to charge its residents for using tips around the county.
Worried it would see its still-free sites at Capstone, Cuxton and Gillingham overrun, Medway introduced a system where users have to show ID to prove they live in the Towns.
The meeting heard how the £675,000 equates to 28% of Medway tips’ operating costs - the same percentage as Kent users visiting them.
How KMTV reported on the Medway Council u-turn on rubbish tip charges
Head of environmental services Sarah Valdus, said: “The 28% is a bottom line, if it goes over and above that usage then we have the right to go back to them with to ask for more money.”
The cash also funds extra staff at the centres.
The security guards will man the entrance of every site in case people become irritated at having to show ID.
This news was much to the horror of Tory councillor Steve Iles. He said: “When I went to Cuxton tip I was amazed to find one man, who was miserable in the rain, give my ID to another man in a box
“Do you really need two people to take my driving licence?”
Mrs Valdus answered: “As we were unsure as to the reaction we would get on site, for the first few months, as well as a person to take the details, we’ve employed a security guard.
“That has been provided as part of the re-charge numbers so we are getting that money back.”
Medway is already looking to the future of the centres.
Mrs Valdus added: “We’re thinking about getting an e-permit scheme, where people could register their vehicles.
“Then we would like to stream traffic, the registered people could go in the fast stream and those not registered in the slower stream.
“We are very much thinking about where we can go next.”
Councillors and officers also discussed the possibility of charging Kent residents to use the tips after the 12-month agreement is finished, if it is easy to do.
