£21k Council cost of luxury cars 'due for review soon'

The results of a Freedom of Information request by the TaxPayers’ Alliance has revealed big spending on luxury vehicles for mayors and council chairmen. 

Local councils often claim that there is no more fat to trim, yet this new research suggests that millions could be saved by encouraging local politicians to save money when attending events by using their own methods of transport, public transport, or at the very least to stop buying luxury cars.

Since 2015, Oldham Council has spent £21,379 on their two cars - a Mercedes E220 Saloon and a Volvo S80.

That total is made up of £17,250 (leasing), £3,400 (fuel) and £729 (maintenance).

Oldham has spent more than a number of similarly high-profile councils, including Bolton (£15,841), Bristol City Council (£14,791), Bury (£18,683), Carlisle (£14,938), Hartlepool (£18,397), Sheffield City Council (£9,991), Rochdale (£12,556), Tameside (£17,956) and Stockport (£19,587).

Since 2015, 207 local authorities spent £4,513,607 on cars for mayors, lord mayors, lord provosts and and their equivalents.

Over that same time period, council tax in England has increased by an average of £188.   

Since 2015:

207 local authorities spent £4,513,607 on vehicles for mayors, lord mayors, lord provosts, chairmen and women. This includes fuel, maintenance, tax and other associated costs. The average spend was £21,804.

Local authorities spent £2,745,097 on buying and leasing cars over the three-year period.

At least 252 cars are owned or leased by local authorities across the UK for the use of the mayor (or equivalent figure).

Three local authorities (Cheshire West and Chester, Cheshire East and Kensington and Chelsea) own a Bentley Continental Flying Spur (from £132,800).

Nine councils spent taxpayers’ money on personalised number plates, whilst others purchased them many years ago.

Commenting on the findings of this investigation, John O'Connell, Chief Executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “Taxpayers are tired of hearing local authorities say they have no money left when there are still instances of excessive spending. 

"Some travel will of course be necessary to conduct duties but families who struggle to pay their council tax bill will roll their eyes at the thought of their hard-earned money being spent on Bentleys and Jaguars for politicians to attend functions. 

"Forty-per-cent of councils didn't lease or buy cars, so all other local authorities should follow that example and encourage civic leaders to use cheaper forms of transport. 

"Every penny wasted on excessive travel expenses is money that could be going towards social care or bin collections."

Oldham Council Leader Sean Fielding has responded to the findings by insisting the money spent on the two Mayoral cars presents acceptable value.

Councillor Fielding told the Chronicle: "The position of Mayor of Oldham is an important one.

“As well as chairing meetings and performing an ambassadorial role, the post of Mayor generates tens of thousands of pounds for charity every year.

“The value of this to the community and charitable organisations more than offsets the cost of transport which is below average for councils and is around the average price of leasing two mid-range, good quality, reliable vehicles for a three year period along with the cost of operation.

“This cost is reviewed by the leaders of all of our political parties on a regular basis and is due for review soon.”

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