Villages in the Dover and Deal district could be see changes to the Community Wardens service under a new consultation launched by the county council today.

The study aims to readdress spending, and could see the number of wardens halve to save £1.28m from April 2015.

It comes at a time when the authority is considering changing the way the county’s libraries are run to save more cash.

Wardens work with residents and partner agencies to tackle issues, like bogus callers, fly tipping, graffiti and vandalism.

Their role has been an evolving one. Originally they operated in specific areas, but over the past three years the service has been adapted to make it more flexible and cost effective. The proposed changes are claimed to be a benefit, meaning they are not restricted to geographical areas, and they will become more hands on.

"The financial situation has changed and we need to examine all our services” - Mike Hill, KCC's member for community services

Mike Hill, KCC’s Cabinet member for Community Services, said: “In principle, as much of the reduction as possible has been taken from the management and administration costs of the service. We believe we have produced a plan for a robust warden service across the county.”

He said there is no statutory obligation to provide the service.

“We started it 12 years ago because we felt it would of great benefit our residents, but the financial situation has changed and we need to examine all our services.”

Mr Hill said the possibility of volunteer wardens could bolster the service. Parish councils will have the opportunity to buy into the scheme.

“This is an option that has been floated a number of times and was tried by police with regard to PCSOs some years back,” he said.

The consultation runs from now until Sunday, November 9.

The study’s results will be reported to the Environment and Transport Committee on Friday, December 5 before KCC makes a decision.

You can register your views online at: kent.gov.uk/communitywardenconsultation.

“We started it 12 years ago because we felt it would of great benefit our residents, but the financial situation has changed and we need to examine all our services.”