A COUNCIL is to continue providing almost half its staff with cars and allowances - despite more than a third of the workforce never driving them on council business.

Last night Ashford Borough Council's executive approved a review by deputy chief executive Paul Naylor to continue the lease car and cash alternative benefits package designed to attract and retain quality staff.

But the council says it will be attempting to negotiate a better deal with lease car companies to help reduce the budget.

His report showed the cost to ratepayers for fleet cars and car allowances last year was £528,400, believed to be the highest of any Kent council.

The go-ahead was approved by members with no debate.

Council leader Cllr Paul Clokie (Con) said that the overall return for the council was to reward workers.

He said: “There is no question of trying to re-negotiate staff contracts as this system is a good way of rewarding them.

“It is a win, win situation, as giving extra salary would be pensionable and would add 20 per cent or more to our costs so this is a cost-efficient way of maintaining and finding staff.”

*For the full story, see next week's Kentish Express