A leading opposition councillor has blasted the council for what he says is a blatant waste of money. The council took the decision back in April to fit its refuse collection and cleaning lorries with satellite navigation and tracking systems, at a cost of £40,000, or £1k per lorry. But the decision seems even more wayward in light of the recent theft of the only 8 Sat Nav systems to have been fitted. Shadow spokesperson for Neighbourhood Services, Coun. Ken King said the Sat Nav saga could not get much worse, adding:

"I was quite taken aback when I heard the council was to spend £40k on Sat Nav and tracking systems for its refuse and cleaning lorries. Most other people who are not sure how to get somewhere, and are cash strapped as the council claims to be, get a York Street Map for £2.99. After all, we're not in somewhere the size of London.

"Then we learn £8k worth of equipment has been made useless since the Sat Nav systems have walked from the eco-depot without trace. With no sign of break ins to the lorries, It indicates either the security of the depot is a joke and the lorries have not been locked, or that they have been casually removed by a member or members of staff during their shifts.

"In either event, it shows there are serious failings somewhere along the line and the party running the council need to sort them out. And as regards the council's justification for these tracking systems, it seems they are trying to replace proper management with machines. It should get managers managing and stop the waste culture this sort of spending demonstrates".

"I attended the eco-depot site a couple of weeks ago and had I not gone straight to the reception, could have wandered around completely unnoticed by anyone so its not a surprise to me this has happened. The security on site seems non-existent. I will be calling for a full review of security at the depot and expect to see action taken".