HIGH-end cameras and hire costs have led to £7,000 of taxpayer money being spent on a Basildon Council meeting.

In a bid to ensure social distancing guidelines could be met, the full council meeting in May was held at Basildon’s Sporting Village.

However, it can now be revealed it cost the taxpayer roughly £7,000 due to hire costs and the use of equipment to stream the meeting online.

Opposition councillors fear the cost of hosting a meeting has seen council bosses delay a debate on controversial plans for an incinerator in Pitsea.

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Kerry Smith, former deputy leader, said: “They’re using it as an excuse.

“They’re happy to splurge the cash £2million planning appeals for sites in the town centre, but not £7,000 on a meeting.

“They’re spending it on what seems to be on a high end mobile TV crew, which allows the public to watch along.

“If they’re trying to say the meetings cost too much money, then they could hold it virtually.”

Plans for the Pitsea incinerator were submitted earlier this year, and were hit with a wave of objections from across the borough.

The leader of Basildon Council, Andrew Baggott, previously wrote to County Hall, urging them to hold the planning debate in Basildon, but is “happy to sign a further letter.”

In leaked emails, which the Echo has seen, Paul Burkinshaw, director of corporate strategy, said: “Due to ongoing Covid related issues, council meetings are being held in the Sporting Village which incurs costs of circa £6,000 to £7,000 per meeting.

“When full council meetings are again held at the Basildon Centre, it will of course be much more straight forward.”

A spokesman from Basildon Council, added: “The costs include hire of the venue, hire of table and chairs, the microphone system, and filming of the meeting.

“The council has received funding to support the costs arising from Covid, such as the charges related to the use of the Sporting Village for these meetings.

“The next full council meeting is scheduled to be held in October when it is intended that it would be possible for meetings to again be held at the Basildon Centre.”