A controversial company hired by Liverpool City Council to fine those who chose to litter have been dropped following a statement from Mayor Joe Anderson.
In a statement announcing that the council would no longer partner with Kingdom, Joe Anderson said that the company had become “unethical” and something the council could no longer ‘put up with’.
He said: “Three weeks ago I gave Kingdom notice that we would be cancelling the contract.
“We tried it because we didn’t have the resources and people were demanding that we get the streets clean.”
The company made £1.4m in fines from the people of Liverpool in their first 8 months. This amount was split with the council.
A spokesman for Kingdom said: “Kingdom are very disappointed in the way the Mayor has decided to publicly attack our company and our hard working officers after only recently assuring us of his support.
“Only a few weeks ago the Mayor publicly stated that ‘their approach to enforcement reflected the feedback about the problem of littering on our streets and that the cost of cleaning the city streets was taking money away from vital services – and that Kingdom officers were essential in tackling the city’s waste problem’.
“Kingdom officers have been on the front line working to deliver the agenda of the Mayor, facing abuse, violence and intimidation whilst going about these duties.
“In addition, in a time of scarce resource our work has generated a surplus of more than £300,000 for the council that has enabled city grants to be issued in addition to setting up the Mayoral Additionality fund.”
“Over the last few weeks, Kingdom has held a number of meetings with the council and completely understood and supported the change in direction focusing on education as opposed to zero tolerance and deterrent. Kingdom agreed a joint release with council and internally began the vital work of employee engagement.
“The Mayor’s words certainly did not form part of the agreement and in making this statement, the Mayor has given little thought to officers who worked tirelessly for Liverpool in difficult conditions and are soon to lose their jobs weeks away from Christmas.
“In addition, following the Mayor’s public outburst, we have increasingly become concerned about the safety of our staff that remain our number one priority in the remaining few weeks and are urgently carrying out a review.”