A Jaguar XF similar to the model currently used by Lichfield District Council's chairman
A Jaguar XF similar to the model currently used by Lichfield District Council's chairman
A Jaguar XF similar to the model currently used by Lichfield District Council’s chairman

Spending £16,000 on a luxury chauffeur-driven car used by the chairman of Lichfield District Council is “crazy”, according to a Burntwood councillor.

The future of the Jaguar XF was debated at a meeting of the overview and scrutiny committee.

Cllr Eric Drinkwater
Cllr Eric Drinkwater

Labour’s Cllr Eric Drinkwater said any suggestion that the car was about civic pride was incorrect.

“It’s not about being the face of the district at all,” he said. “No, it’s all about personal prestige for those who have the roles.

“At a time of austerity, to keep thinking we can get away with spending so much on civic tradition is just crazy.”

But Conservative Cllr Doug Constable hit back, saying the car civics turn up in was important.

“It’s not personal prestige at all, it’s about the prestige of the council,” he said. “It matters among those sort of people at the events.

“The term chain gang is used, but it’s not about that. Those who take the roles have earned the right to do so.”

The meeting recommended a task force be set up to look at the issue of the chairman’s car in greater depth.

But Labour opposition group leader Cllr Sue Woodward said the bigger picture was being missed.

“We need to look at the £50,000-plus a year spent on the civic budget,” she said. “The chain gang going to have these meals with each other – is there really value?

“How does the money spent relate to the strategic outcomes for the council?”

Cllr Joseph Powell
Cllr Joseph Powell

Conservative Cllr Thomas Marshall said there could be opportunities for a link up with local car dealerships to provide a suitable vehicle.

His Tory colleague Cllr Joseph Powell was keen to assure the meeting that chairmen and vice-chairmen were not merely using the vehicle as a perk.

“It’s important that we make it clear that the car isn’t used for just having drinks and nice meals,” he explained.

“We use it for lots of very useful meetings with the council, such as visiting homosexual groups.”

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.

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Steve Norman
8 years ago

Yep, that’s what I was told he said.

Andy Bennetts
8 years ago

What kind of meeting with a homosexual group do you need to turn up to in Jag?

These people are barking.

Steve Norman
8 years ago

Andy, a group you want to impress maybe?
N.B. Person though not people.

PC brigade
8 years ago

Besides the fact councillor Powell has had an absolute mare it is a bit concerning that anyone in this day and age uses terms like homosexual groups. Representative much?

Paul Flanagab
8 years ago

That final quote is quite unbelievable. As in any good business, the financial gain of “having” versus the financial outlay should be the consideration. In the event that the revenue to the council and therefore the reduction to the taxpayer exceeds the cost of providing the chauffeur driven car, then quite rightly, it should be considered. Without that benefit, I’m pretty convinced the participants at these meetings, other than the attendee, won’t give two hoots as to whether arrival is in a jag or on a nag!

Attila the Nun
8 years ago

“We use it for lots of very useful meetings with the council, such as visiting homosexual groups.”

What. The. F*ck.

Joseph Powell
8 years ago

I find it interesting that it is the Burntwood Labour group who have so far made the comments and the embers of “we may not know all the facts of what ever it is being discussed but we are against it on principle” I say again that the it is of concern that they have no real idea of what a chairman of council does, and by giving the examples I did, they should be able to see the bigger picture, but there you go!

Sue Woodward
8 years ago

Joe, I was there and feel your comments against “the Burntwood Labour group” are churlish and inappropriate. People have opinions and can express them, as you did last night.

Steve Norman
8 years ago

Now then Joe, we had Labour Chairmen in 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998 so we do know what’s involved. I know that a council’s limo does add something to a Chairman or Mayor’s visit. Way back in 1984 as Chair of the relevant committee I supported the outgoing Mayor’s plea that we should buy crockery instead of guests having to use paper plates – even though the ceremonial role was one I couldn’t get excited about.
The opportunity is there now for a real examination of the role of Chairman.
It must be a bit embarrassing mind for the Chairman to visit organisations that have suffered cuts – though not as embarrassing as it must be for the Chairman of the County Council visiting empty buildings like the Youth Centre and the Oakdene Day Centre in Burntwood that his, and her, party has closed with the desire to close Sure Start as well.

The Speaker
8 years ago

Its wrong.
Don’t do it.