No taxpayer cash for Tenbury Wells council gowns

No taxpayers' money will be spent on gowns and medals for councillors in Tenbury Wells after councillors decided it was the "wrong time" to buy the ceremonial items.

The plan had come under fire at the weekend from former mayor Keith Griffiths, who claimed the spending would prompt an angry backlash from the cash-strapped public.

Councillors heeded the warning when they voted last night against buying medals to honour ex-mayors or gowns to wear at civic functions.

Town clerk Dawn Worgan said today: "Regarding the gowns, the councillors discussed the fact that they didn't feel it was possible to purchase them.

"But if they could be made and the fabric acquired for free, perhaps if someone was willing to give a donation to fund it, they may be considered as long as it didn't cost the taxpayer anything.

"They also decided the gowns would just be for the mayor and deputy mayor to wear, not the entire council.

"With regard to the medals for ex-mayors, it was felt that in the current economic situation it would be the wrong time to spend any money. We are not a wealthy council and don't have the funds to buy them as it would be expensive, although they would have been nice."

Ceremonial gowns can cost more than £100 each.