A BOROUGH councillor is calling for a boycott of this year’s mayor-making “bash”, claiming the £3,000 cost can’t be justified in the midst of an economy drive in which the jobs of dozens of council staff are in the balance.

“It really is rubbing salt into the wound,” said North Baddesley representative, Steve Cosier.

“I won’t be going because I can’t justify sitting there when council tax is going up and staff are facing redundancies.”

Up to 120 guests have been invited, at £28 a head, to the borough council reception and lunch in Romsey’s Crosfield Hall on May 13.

Coming just weeks after an announcement that up to 60 borough council employees could be made redundant, it has been condemned by Mr Cosier as “an absurd waste of spending”.

“I feel for the people who are worrying about their jobs,” he added.

“I do think that, until the economic climate improves, we should not be doing this. The reality is that this event is just a ‘freebie’ for the few paid for by the many.”

Mark Wallace, from the Taxpayers’ Alliance: “It is frankly obscene for the council to be sticking their snouts in the trough when Test Valley people are facing a 4.5 per cent council tax increase. They should be doing everything they can to tighten their belts in the recession.”

Earlier this year, a savage list of proposals, including charge hikes and job cuts, was unveiled to plug a £2m “funding black hole” at the authority.

A spokesman said: “We have given careful consideration to whether it is appropriate to hold a lunch event following the annual council meeting this year. It was decided that it should go ahead.

“It is an important event that recognises the contribution made to the whole community by a range of people. Local organisations, councillors and past mayors, as well as those who work so hard for the mayor’s charities, all make an enormous contribution to the welfare of individuals, groups and charities across the Test Valley.

“However, we are very sensitive to the costs of such of an event and are asking that if anyone cannot attend, they let us know so we do not cater for more than is needed.”