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Brighton chewing gum remover sale loses council thousands | |
(5 days later) | |
A union has criticised Brighton council after a machine bought to clean chewing gum from the streets lay idle until it was sold for a fraction of its cost. | A union has criticised Brighton council after a machine bought to clean chewing gum from the streets lay idle until it was sold for a fraction of its cost. |
The city council bought the £123,000 machine in 2010, saying it would cut its £25,000 annual gum cleaning bill. | The city council bought the £123,000 machine in 2010, saying it would cut its £25,000 annual gum cleaning bill. |
But, it has been revealed it sold the gum-removal equipment at auction in February for £13,971. | |
A council spokesman confirmed it had been sold but said not further information was available. | A council spokesman confirmed it had been sold but said not further information was available. |
'Collecting dust' | 'Collecting dust' |
Mark Turner, of the GMB union, said the equipment was a waste of money. | Mark Turner, of the GMB union, said the equipment was a waste of money. |
"The vehicle was not fit for purpose," he said. | "The vehicle was not fit for purpose," he said. |
"It wasn't able to do the work that the council alleged it would do. | "It wasn't able to do the work that the council alleged it would do. |
"For over three years it sat at the back of Stanmer Park collecting dust and moths." | "For over three years it sat at the back of Stanmer Park collecting dust and moths." |
Former leader of the council, Conservative Mary Mears, said she was disappointed the machine failed to reach its full potential. | Former leader of the council, Conservative Mary Mears, said she was disappointed the machine failed to reach its full potential. |
"We had three demonstrations - on the seafront, in West Street and Churchill Square - where there is some of the heaviest footfall in the city," she said. | "We had three demonstrations - on the seafront, in West Street and Churchill Square - where there is some of the heaviest footfall in the city," she said. |
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