Current mayor, Councillor Roy Scammell
A row has broken out over plans to spend more than £1,000 on badges for past and present mayors of a Shropshire town.
The badge – a jewel made from silver gilt and suspended from a ribbon with the words “past mayor” engraved on a bar – will be handed out to the 14 men and women to have worn the chains of office in Newport as unique mementoes of their time spent serving in the civic office.
The proposal received majority backing at a meeting of Newport Town Council last night – but not before a heated discussion in which it was branded a “complete waste of public money” by one councillor who said it would end up locked away in a draw.
The council agreed to buy badges for the town’s 14 past mayors as well as three for future use, and one consort’s badge for the present mayor.
The council heard at around £45 a badge, and folding storage wallets, the bill would exceed £1,000 after VAT was added on.
The die for the badges would have been an extra £190 but current mayor, Councillor Roy Scammell, said he would cover that cost.
Councillor Tim Nelson said it would increase the prestige of the town.He said: “This is not an unusual thing to do – we are behind the times.
“Someone who served the town as a mayor should be able to wear with some pride something that represents Newport. This is an excellent opportunity to have a ceremony to honour Newport and the people who have served it.”
But not all councillors agreed with spending the money.
Councillor Peter Scott said: “I think it’s a complete waste of money.
“I cannot see any value in spending £1,000 for something that will be put in a drawer.
“It’s a complete waste of public money.”
Councillor Dan Ashley said: “We should honour our past mayors but I don’t think the time is right to be lavishly spending that sort of money.”
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