Medway Council's controversial Smart car CCTV mobile parking patrol has made a big profit, councillors have been told.

The saga of the car came up at the full council meeting, when Cllr Herbie Crack (Lib Dem) asked how much it cost and how much it brought in for the council.

The portfolio holder, Cllr Phil Filmer (Con), said the Smart car had generated £303,185 from penalty charges, against a running cost of £118,430.

Cllr Filmer said it parked in prohibited places about 70 per cent of the time.

“It parks safely,” said Cllr Filmer.

“It never causes an obstruction to other vehicles. It is done to ease the congestion of our towns and to provide a safer working environment. It has had a positive impact on schools we have visited.”

He said there was a list of schools queuing to benefit from the car. They included Cuxton and the Hundred of Hoo.

Cllr Filmer said: “I know we get negative publicity, but we also get positive publicity when you speak to the schools using this service.”

The Smart car’s activities have led to dozens of complaints to the Medway Messenger from drivers, angry at what they say is one law for the Smart car and another for them.