> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Future of Lichfield District Council chairman’s chauffeur driven car to be debated - URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/future-of-lichfield-district-council-chairmans-chauffeur-driven-car-to-be-debated/ - Published: 2015-06-03T06:30:18.000Z - Updated: 2015-06-03T07:17:15.000Z - Description: Councillors are set to debate whether or not Lichfield District Council should continue footing the bill for a chauffeur-driven car for its chairman. - Author: Lichfield Live - Tags: Politics, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 20:42, News Councillors are set to debate whether or not Lichfield District Council should continue footing the bill for a chauffeur-driven car for its chairman. The local authority has budgeted £16,830 for the vehicle and driver for the coming year. But options – including axing the vehicle completely – will be discussed at a meeting of the local authority’s overview and scrutiny committee next week. Figures reveal that the since 2011/12, £58,386 has been spent on the chairman’s car. The 2014/15 period saw the cost drop to its lowest figure during this period, with a total of £12,505 spent. But [a survey of local residents last year](//lichfieldlive.co.uk/2014/09/22/call-for-lichfield-district-council-chairmans-chauffer-driven-car-to-be-axed/) saw 90% call for cuts to the amount of money used to transport civic leaders. [![A Jaguar XF similar to the model currently used by Lichfield District Council's chairman](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e3/90/e390c3da-0866-4d2a-8ffe-ca4999d7ce1c/content/images/lichfieldlive-co-uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/2009_jaguar_xf_supercharged-pic-234899292575092416.jpg)](//lichfieldlive.co.uk/2015/06/03/future-of-lichfield-district-council-chairmans-chauffeur-driven-car-to-be-debated/2009%5Fjaguar%5Fxf%5Fsupercharged-pic-234899292575092416/) A Jaguar XF similar to the model currently used by Lichfield District Council’s chairman Now a report to the overview and scrutiny committee by council leader Mike Wilcox outlines what the luxury Jaguar diesel saloon is used for – and also revealed that it was the largest outgoing in the £50,970 budget set aside to support civic duties over the year: “There is no proposal to review the civic role and other items of expenditure within this budget at the current time,” the report said. However, as the contract for the car has expired, a decision is needed on the way in which transport for the chairman and vice-chairman will be provided in the future. “The car is available for all events attended by the chairman – or when he/she is not available – the vice-chairman. “The chairman does decline the use of the car when it is appropriate, such as if an event is very close to their home address or in some cases in Lichfield when the chairman can park their own car on the Frog Lane offices car park.” The report also revealed that during the 2014/15 period the luxury Jaguar XF – which retails for more than £36,000 – had travelled 5,955 miles and be used on 130 occasions. The five options on the table for the future are: - No car or driver - Hire car and chauffeur for each event - Buy current lease car and run for another four years - Lease an alternative lower range model - Continue with a lease similar to the current arrangement and vehicle type. [![Cllr Norma Bacon, chair of Lichfield District Council](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e3/90/e390c3da-0866-4d2a-8ffe-ca4999d7ce1c/content/images/lichfieldlive-co-uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/councillor-norma-bacon-chairman-of-lichfield-district-council-v3.jpg)](//lichfieldlive.co.uk/2015/05/20/new-chair-sworn-in-at-lichfield-district-council/councillor-norma-bacon-chairman-of-lichfield-district-council-v3/) Cllr Norma Bacon, chair of Lichfield District Council Although axing the car altogether is highlighted as providing the biggest potential saving, the report says ditching the luxury car could have an impact on the the reputation of the district’s senior civics. The post of chairman for the next 12 months is Cllr Norma Bacon, with Cllr David Salter taking up the post of vice chairman.. “The purpose of the role of chairman is to promote the district and to represent the council,” the report said. “As such, it is essential that they attend and host a high number and wide variety of functions. “The impact of the transport used to arrive at these events will vary from event to event and from person to person. “While some councillors may feel very strongly about image and perception of arriving, as at present, in a chauffeured car, this needs to be balanced against public perception of value.” The report will be discussed at the overview and scrutiny meeting on June 9.