COUNCILLORS are considering spending nearly £300 of public money on badges for four female members – but they do not yet know where the money will come from.

The badges cost £10.95 each, but with a minimum purchase of 25 the total price would be £273.75, equating to £68.43 each for the four badges.

Councillors say identification such as ties and badges are needed so other people know who they are, but Mark Wallace, of the Taxpayer’s Alliance, called the spending “an unnecessary and unacceptable waste” of taxpayers’ money.

Richmond Town Council has 15 members, including four women. For years, the men have had ties bearing the town crest and women have had scarves. However, some of the women choose not to wear them, and now they are being given the option of badges.

At a meeting on Monday, councillors voted to defer the matter to a resources committee meeting next month, where a source for the money could be identified.

“We have not precepted for the cost of the badges,” said Councillor Tom Burrows.

“Therefore, we will first see where funding could be found, and then the ladies can decide what they want.

“I can see how some people might see it as a waste. However, being a town councillor is not a paid position and, indeed, sometimes we are left out of pocket. I think people would agree that to give someone a tie or a badge of recognition is not a lot.

“Also, it’s nice when we are attending visits and events that people can easily identify us as councillors.”

But Mr Wallace said: “This might not seem an earthshattering amount of money, but it’s clearly an unnecessary waste.

“Local residents work hard to pay their taxes, and they don’t do so for that money to be squandered on badges or other frills for councillors.

“It’s time even small wastes like this become unacceptable.”

The matter will be discussed by the resources committee on Friday, before options are presented to the full council later in the month.