Plans to downgrade the civic car have been approved by Lichfield District Council.
The current Jaguar will be replaced by a Ford Mondeo as part of moves to cut more than £7,000 from the civic budget – but the vehicle will continue to be chauffeur-driven.
Other changes will see a reduction in the allowance for the chairman and vice-chairman, who will also attend less events.
Cllr Mike Wilcox, leader of Lichfield District Council, said the changes showed the local authority was willing to modernise.
“I am delighted by the proposals that have come forward from the task group looking at the civic budget,” he said.
“Security is paramount when considering the vehicle needed. When other options were looked at it was felt that they would compromise this.
“Also, had we decided that the chairman and vice-chairman should use their own car we would potentially be discriminating against those members who were unable to do so.
“These proposals show that there has been a realisation that we had to modernise.”
A task group set up to carry out a review will now meet again in 12 months to decide if further changes to the civic function are needed.
Cllr Sue Woodward, leader of the Labour opposition group on Lichfield District Council, said: “The car has been the most contentious element and I’m pleased that it will continue to be reviewed.
“This is a move forward, but it is not the end of the journey.”
