The tradition of a luxury car for civic leaders should come to an end, according to a Burntwood councillor.
Lichfield District Council’s scrutiny committee is set to discuss the future of the chairman’s chauffeur-driven Jaguar XF next week.
More than £16,000 has been set aside for the vehicle to transport the city’s civic leaders around for the coming 12 months.
But as the council battles to balance the books, options including axing the car altogether are being considered.
However, former chairman Cllr David Leytham insisted the £36,000 vehicle was “absolutely essential”.
His views have been challenged by Sharon Banevicius, Labour district councillor for Chasetown. She was previously the chair of Burntwood Town Council and insisted tradition could not be followed regardless of cost.
“Is it a necessity? In my opinion, no,” said Cllr Banevicius. “I never had a car at Burntwood Town Council and if I were chair of Lichfield District Council I wouldn’t want or expect a car either.
“It is a luxury, especially that type of car. Is a vehicle that large really a necessity to go around local areas when we are trying to cut down in other areas, such as community transport?
“Being a chairman is an honour and there shouldn’t need to be perks attached.
“It’s hanging on to tradition. I changed it at Burntwood Town Council. For example, I didn’t have a sit down civic service meal for the chain gang and councillors. Instead, I had a carol service and spent around £200 for tea, wine and mince pies for everyone who attended, including the public.
“I wasn’t criticised for that – in fact I was praised by people within the community for changing tradition.
“Yes, it’s different at Burntwood Town Council, but would people in Lichfield really complain if we changed things?
“Tradition shouldn’t come at any expense.”
Cllr Leytham had argued that taking the chairman’s Jaguar off the road would see the local authority losing more in reputation and promotion than it saved on the balance sheet.
But Cllr Banevicius says the idea that a status symbol is needed does not wash with residents who are feeling the effects of austerity measures.
“I went to all engagements as Burntwood Town Council chair and found my own way there. It never hampered me or made me look any better or worse.
“When you’ve arrived at an event and the car has gone you’re the same as everyone else in the room. Nobody said I had to sit at the bottom of the table because I didn’t have a big car bringing me.
“I disagree with the idea that we will be losing more than we save. What would you really lose? In this time of austerity people look at the chairman and wonder why they as taxpayers are footing the bill for that car.
“Cuts are everywhere and yet here we are paying thousands for a car.
“They don’t travel very far either. I made my own way to civic events and it didn’t cost the earth.
“It simply isn’t a necessity to have a car costing that much money.”
The overview and scrutiny committee meeting where the future of the chauffeur driven vehicle will be discussed will also see a debate over the work the council is doing to balance the books after a reduction in funding from government.
With a number of services feeling the pinch, Cllr Banevicius says priorities need to be drawn up.
“As councillors we have to do what we can to keep costs at a minimum,” she said.
“There are a lot of cutbacks to contend with and the priority needs to be health, community and housing, rather than a luxury car.”
Well said Sharon. A shining example of why we should listen to the logic of women. It’s not about what people think it’s about what the people who are paying for you think…right now, they think this is an absolute disgrace.
It’s a wonder Cllr Leyyham would like a Civic Coach a driver two footmen and four white horses pulling it.Come on it’ the start of the 21st century not the 20th.There’s people in Lichfield and Burntwood using food banks put the money towards that or any other any other worthwhile cause.
Better still let those on the council who have them to use their Bus Pass
Well said Emlyn and Anonymouse, how can the cost of this car be justified when disabled people in Burntwood and surrounding areas are having their transport allowance slashed. In this time of austerity, when as Emlyn pointed out people are being forced to use food banks the cost of this luxury mode of transport is being paid for by the general public. It is an outrage, let’s hope this debate rolls out to all taxpayers in the area who can forward their opinions.
It’s unfortunate that the report to the Scrutiny Committee doesn’t say where and why the car us used. Is it used mainly in Lichfield City? Is it used for long distances where a train might suffice? The report is lacking in this detail which is ironic when you look at item 6 that refers to the weakness of scrutiny at LDC.
I don’t think you can discuss whether a car (used occasionally or regularly) is needed without discussing the civic role itself. Local authorities have changed dramatically over recent years but the civic role hasn’t.
The Chain Gang, as members refer to it openly these days, where Chairmen and Mayors visit each other to attend civic and carol services has not moved on (although we did make some big reductions on Burntwood Town Council some years ago).
There may still be a role needed of some kind and that is what the Scrutiny Committee members can look at. Scrutiny needs to control its own agenda and it will be interesting to see if members do that on Tuesday.
Let me say however that in its current format Cllr Leytham did an excellent job when in that role and I have only admiration for him and others who have volunteered to give up their time to do it.
After the debacle of the Labour government under Blair and Brown if anything needs `axing` as Steve Norman says it should be the Labour party that should be `axed`.How the Labour Councillors have the nerve to CAMPAIGN for government after ruining the country with Trillions of DEBT is beyond comprehension.As for the `Edstone`is there anything else to be said?
Has `Emlyn`ever stopped to think that it was through Labours total incompetence when they were in government that ALL of the electorate are suffering through cuts to services (with the exception of MPs) of course, both Labour and Conservatives,Lib Dems,SNPs and THE `Lords`etc.Come on `Emlyn` get wise and wake up!
I think what this discussion really shows, and Steve Norman eludes to it, is the lack of scrutiny at a local level.
“eludes”
English not your strong point Darryl?
It’s debatable, however feeble jabs certainly aren’t, care to explain yourself?
Eludes – Allude – you know what I meant.
Having read Councillor Vicious rambling on the Lord Mayors car one wonders if she is suffering from the`GREAT I AM` syndrome of self praise.A Mayoral car is not a nescessity by any means and yes we are all suffering to a greater or lesser degree so a cut in Councillors EXPENSES would be a welcome move.I personally can`t wait for the publication of this financial years Councillor`s expenses.Should make interesting reading.
Seabeeburntwood is clearly not aware of the recent debate on councillors’ allowances with the Tories all railroading through increases without proper debate or scrutiny, and contrary to the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel and the Labour position. He/she should not let party political blinkers completely cloud proper judgment.
A £36K car with £16k a year running costs, how much scrutiny does it need? a quick trawl of the internet reveals that a Mr Willis submitted a Freedom Of Information request in October 2012 which lists all the makes of vehicles operated by LDC, and the Jaguar does not feature. So in this era of “Austerity” much heralded by the Chancellor, towards public services, maybe the councillor’s should use one of the LDC pool cars such as a Ford Fiesta which is far cheaper to run.
The chairman’s car debate is a classic slight of hand, distract & entertain the public and district councillors, many of whom are too lazy or stupid read and master their briefings papers.
How much time will be wasted discussing the car at tomorrow’s council meeting whilst the real challenges in dealing with a £800k+ funding gap by 2017 go largely unscrutinised ?
In all of the furore around the car, I’ve repeatedly made the point that there are far more serious issues to be discussed tomorrow – not that the £50K+ costs of civic pomp & circumstance are insignificant. This is certainly a bit of sleight of hand – “throw them a bit of red meat to chew on and they won’t notice anything else” – but I’m onto it and hope I’ll get support from other members. I live in constant hope….
Reply to”party political blinkers” the kettle calls the tea pot black well Ican only say `Why did any of the Labour Councillors even contemplate running for office after the damage the Labour party has done and continues to do to this country and the electorate?