Morley Town Council has been accused of "wasting" almost £5,000 on restoring a gold mace during the middle of the coronavirus pandemic.
The local council has committed to spending £4,933.33 on the royal piece of regalia, which has proudly been used in the town for decades, "to protect Morley's proud heritage".
The "specialised and specific" restoration process is being handled by a company in Birmingham, who will spend three months carefully refurbishing the impressive item.
However, Morley resident and former town council representative Gareth Beevers has said it is "not acceptable" that so much money is being spent on the restoration while so many people in the area are struggling for money due to Covid-19.
The 43-year-old said: "It’s disgusting. They’re just wasting money on it.
"I just can't believe they think this is a priority in the middle of a coronavirus pandemic.
"Spending that sort of money on that mace and the regalia is not acceptable. People are losing their jobs.
"Yes it is protecting the heritage, but why? If they’re meeting online now, it’s not even in use now.
"£5,000 would be a lot better spent on so many other things, especially in this current climate."
However, council leader Cllr Robert Finnegan has defended the outlay and pointed to the huge sums of money spent supporting local residents in recent months.
In a statement, he said: "We were elected to support Morley residents, improve Morley town centre and protect and enhance Morley's heritage.
"This is why we have spent over £20,000 on supporting local food banks and local businesses during the coronavirus pandemic, over £75,000 on additional policing, found increased funding for additional gritting during winter periods, delivered more support for local community groups as well as finding additional finance to protect Morley's proud heritage, which includes the Town Council mace.
"Morley residents expect the Town Council to support local businesses, help the vulnerable, keep the street safer, support the great work local voluntary groups undertake and defend the town's heritage.
"We are proud to have delivered on all these pledges we made at election time."
