A TOWN council would have to add almost £40,000 to its budget if members wished to employ their own neighbourhood warden.

Recruiting a warden was one of a number of ideas considered by Barnard Castle Town Council's services committee as part of ongoing efforts to tackle dog fouling.

Members were recommended to discuss the issue in private but Councillor Tom Deacon said the debate should be held in public so tax payers knew exactly what costs were involved.

“A dedicated warden would mean a huge increase in the precept,” he said.

In addition to salary costs of almost £23,000, the town council would have to pay £600 for a uniform, £840 for a radio and more than £8,000 on a vehicle and fuel.

Councillors were told the costs related to a warden working a 37-hour week between the hours of 8am and 6pm.

They were also told any money raised through fines would go to Durham County Council and not to the town.

Coun Roger Peat, committee chairman, said that while it had been a worthwhile exercise finding out how much it would cost, there was simply not enough work to justify employing a full time warden.

Members agreed to ask the full council for £500 in next year's budget to be used to fund ongoing efforts to tackle dog fouling.