HEIGHTENED security during this year’s full council meeting cost Wiltshire Council £2,448 after demonstration group Extinction Rebellion held a peaceful protest about climate change.

Group members, who a few days ago stripped half-naked in the House of Commons, had previously glued themselves to Gloucester Council’s chamber seats , prompting the installation of security guards, bag checks and water bottle restrictions at Wiltshire’s budget setting meeting.

Lib Dem councillor Ian Thorn said: “I understand that there was a valid concern about a possible threat to security, however this does seem like a lot of money and to have three bouncer-style people at the meeting felt oppressive. If they wanted I would have put in a cheaper bid and done it myself.”

Around 50 demonstrators took part in the Extinction Rebellion protests on the County Hall steps on February 26 ahead of the meeting, where councillors voted to acknowledge a climate change emergency.

Richard Clewer, cabinet member for corporate services said: “The cost of the security was £2,448 including VAT, which we considered necessary and proportionate in ensuring the security of our building, staff, councillors and the public attending the full council meeting.

“The security was arranged after other councils experienced disruptive protests at meetings involving climate change protesters and we were concerned that similar events were possible in Wiltshire. A higher than usual public attendance at the meeting was already expected, therefore security was also on hand to assist with accommodating the public in overflow rooms to ensure safety once the council chamber was at capacity.”