Council to prune budget by ditching office plants

Kent County Council says it is set to save £40,000 by removing potted plants from its offices.

Maintaining the plants is "no longer a priority" and axing a contract for their upkeep would ensure resources were "focused on core services", according to council documents.

Reform UK won control of the local authority in May, promising to make savings.

Deputy leader Brian Collins said: "I thought it was a lot of money to pay for plants and that is why it is being looked at."

Councillor Dean Burns, who works as a tree specialist, says the cost of looking after plants was "crazy" as it is "not as if we are a vineyard".

The council also believes it can generate up to £1m through a review of its car parks, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The authority said a review "supports the council's wider financial strategy and ensures that resources are used responsibly".

Converting its chilled water supply from bottled to tap water would save a further £30,000.

According to documents, the switch was "a more cost-effective and environmentally responsible solution".

Green Party group leader Mark Hood welcomed the reduced use of plastic bottles.

The savings were included in the cabinet's draft budget, which will be decided on next month.

Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.