Lichfield District Council has confirmed that its chairman will be taking delivery of a new luxury car – but have insisted the vehicle will save the authority money.
The leased Jaguar XF will be used to transport the city dignitary to a number of civic events, with the council’s leader saying it “befits the occasions and the chairman’s position”.
The vehicle replaces a similar specification car, with the local authority saying the lease on the new Jaguar had been negotiated to cut costs for the council.
Cllr Mike Wilcox, leader of Lichfield District Council, told The Lichfield Blog:
“The chairman represents the district council at numerous events during his or her year in office – from launching new community facilities through to attending royal visits. For this, the chairman needs the use of a car to get to and from the events, which befits the occasions and the chairman’s position.
“Because we are facing a reduction in our budget, we have worked hard to renegotiate a better deal for the lease of the car, which will save the council money.”
The Jaguar XF comes in a range of three and five-litre engines and costs £31,900 to buy the entry level model, with a price tag of £64,400 on the top of the range model. It was also named Best Executive Car in the What Car? Awards 2011.
