Councils sit uneasily in dispute over ‘stolen’ bench

A city council has accused a county council of “pinching” a bench while carrying out work.

Bosses at Canterbury city council have said a wooden bench worth £1,000 was taken by contractors working for Kent county council. They have sent the county council an invoice.

Mike Dixey, Canterbury’s Lib Dem leader, said he was “stunned” the bench had been removed during works to install a lamppost, adding: “This is disgraceful.” David Kemsley, vice-chairman of the residents’ association, said: “It’s a shame because it was well used. There’s no doubt it was removed during KCC work.”

Kent county council has begun an investigation, but has so far denied it was responsible for its removal, saying “other firms” were also working at the site.