Basildon’S first ever mayor has defended the decision to have hundreds of lapel badges made, reminding everyone the council has changed to a borough.

The council’s chief executive Bala Mahendran has ordered 300 lapel badges to be worn by councillors and officers, at a cost of £1,500, which will be inscribed with “Basildon Borough Council”.

Leader of the opposition Labour group Lynda Gordon claimed in the Echo last week the badges were a waste of money, at a time when the council is supposed to be cutting costs.

However, Basildon’s mayor, Mo Larkin, who is a Conservative councillor, said: “This is a case of the pot calling the kettle black, as the Labour group had similar badges made up when it was in power.”

She resented accusations the Tory administration is wasteful.

Mrs Larkin said: “I for one can honestly say I have never claimed a penny in expenses.”

Labour councillors boycotted last year’s vote to decide whether Basildon should change from a district to a borough, because they felt the plans were a waste of time and money.

However, the ruling Conservatives persisted and successfully applied to the Queen for a charter, granting borough status, which they say will raise the profile of Basildon, Billericay and Wickford, and attract more investment to the area.

Mrs Gordon said: “I think the new badges are a complete waste of money at this time when the council is having to think about cutting frontline services.”