A community leader has hit out at Staffordshire County Council for spending more than £350,000 on security since Reform UK took control of the administration.

In recent months the number of security guards present in council meetings has increased at County Buildings in Stafford.

And tighter security measures have been introduced for members of the press and public wishing to attend meetings in the main chamber, such as cabinet and full council meetings, including using a separate outside entrance to access the viewing gallery.

Journalists and Staffordshire residents alike are now required to leave coats and bags with security before entering the main council chamber after protesters disrupted a meeting in December.

A Freedom of Information request revealed that Staffordshire County Council has spent more than £350,000 on security since being taken over by Reform UK in May 2025.

Stafford Borough Council member Alec Sandiford, who has attended county council meetings during the past year as a member of the public, described the spend as "a shocking misuse of taxpayers' money".

But a Staffordshire County Council spokesperson said: "This amount represents the total annual cost of security guard requirements for all council activities and events and not just the additional presence at public council meetings.

This does vary from year to year and in 2025/26 it was actually down on the previous year.

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"While we welcome public scrutiny, we do have to ensure everyone who attends council activities or meetings feels safe.

We continue to review the arrangements and would like to remind residents that our council meetings can be watched online if they are unable to attend."

Councillor Sandiford, who represents Stafford Borough's Fulford ward as a Liberal Democrat member, said: "This isn't about safety – it's about control. I

t's about stopping people attending meetings and holding those in power to account.

"Public meetings are meant to be open – that's the foundation of local democracy.

"What we are seeing instead is taxpayers being forced to fund barriers to scrutiny.

"Reform UK came to power promising to cut waste and stand up for taxpayers.

"Instead they are presiding over hundreds of thousands of pounds of unnecessary spending – spending that appears politically motivated."

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"It is hypocrisy, plain and simple.

"Residents deserve to know exactly how this money has been spent, who authorised it, and why.

"Every pound spent is public money.

"It should be used to improve people's lives — not to shield politicians from criticism."