Sat, 05 Jun 2021
By Chris Cave - Local Democracy Reporter
The leader of Douglas Council has denied claims street cleaning equipment has been sold at a huge loss to the ratepayer. A machine to rid pavements of chewing gum was purchased for £120,000 in 2011. David Christian insists the device is still in use, despite parts being sold at a recent auction for £200. “Not true at all”, Mr Christian told Local Democracy Reporter Chris Cave. “Unfortunately [it’s] misinformation that’s been put out there”, he continued. UK firm Gum Clear, which supplied the equipment to Douglas Council, was dissolved in 2016. Mr Christian continued: “The old jet-washing equipment [is what has been sold] – so basically it was there for scrap purposes – that’s what’s been sold off.