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What an Audi-acity!
Reporter: Janice Barker
Date online: 10 March 2010
Rumpus over new car being a ‘civic taxi’
Oldham’s Labour council group leader says the town’s new Mayoral car should not be used as a “civic taxi”.
Councillor Jim McMahon says the leased long-wheelbase Audi A8 was used by council leader Howard Sykes to travel alone, chauffeur driven, to a recent meeting of Greater Manchester council leaders.
Councillor McMahon said he had no problem with the car, which would cost £57,000 to buy, being used for the Mayor and Mayoress on civic business.
But he added: “What I take exception to is people in Oldham Council using it as a personal chauffeur-driven service.
“People should not be using it effectively as a chauffeur-driven taxi, especially when we are taking away £500,000 to transport vulnerable people to day care. You have you ask yourself how sympathetic this is?”
But Councillor Sykes hit back, pointing out that the joint leadership meeting approved the new car in November.
He added: “All leaders agreed to this proposal — it is a bit rich now having a whinge about it more than four months later.
“The fine detail of the vehicle’s use was agreed by the three group leaders some time later. In his alternative budget, Councillor McMahon also agreed to cut transport costs.
“There appears to be quite a lot of agreeing and saying one thing and then doing something else at the moment.”
The car has been leased by the council to save money.
The old Mayoral Volvo — ABU 1 — bought for £22,390 in 2004, costs £5,500 a year to maintain, is out of warranty and becoming increasingly costly to run.
A council spokesman said: “After consultation with all party leaders and agreement with their respective groups, a decision was taken to set up a new civic car arrangement.
“This is to enable the Mayor, council leader, and — where appropriate — the chief executive and other council dignitaries, to use this vehicle when representing the authority on official business.
“These new procedures are also more environmentally sustainable, allowing the car to be used by several civic dignitaries at once, thus avoiding the potential for parties journeying separately and sustaining more expensive travelling costs.”
Comments
This so typical of Labour at all levels. When is an agreement not an agreement?
When it’s with Labour. I hade it drummed into me that when you reach an agreement you stick to it. Stop bleating Cllr McMahon try thinking out side the box or move over and let some else run your group
another perk of being one of the idiots in charge here in oldham!
nice if you can get them!
If we did not have a mayor (which we do not need) then we would have no need for a mayoral vehicle. More saving for the weary worn down council tax payers. The events this council get up to are ludicrous. Everyone wanting a ride in the posh car. Humbug. Howard, Charlie and Co. should pay their own transport costs. They are over-rewarded, in any case, for the work they do.
No wonder council finances are in a mess. How on earth does it cost £5,500 a year to maintain a runabout? It must be doing huge miles to need so much servicing and fuel!! How much is this £57,000 car costing to lease and why is such extravagance not being questioned by Sykes who bleats about how all those with their snouts in the trough agreed? You should be setting an example Sykes and cutting spending.
Sykes seems very keen to use our civic car.I'll bet there's a buffet bar in the back!
Why not use public transport and save the taxpayer or better remove the stupid mayor position what value does it bring nothing
meldroo, you are not he's over weight from all those taxpayer freebees the off loader enjoys
My mum is one of those affected by the loss of day centre transport, & the use of this car by Sykes smacks of self-aggrandisement. Did he practice his royal wave on the journey?
A car costs £5,500 a year to maintain? How?
The sooner we get rid of this clown the better. They are all as pompous as one another. £24k for a car plus £5,500 a year to move the lardies around in? All this whilst elbowing the elderly aside. How dare they.
What has happened to the number plate ABU 1, has the pesent council done a bit of asset stripping here and sold it?
Is this another case of losing the identity of Oldham?
Have Your Say
Yes we probably need a civic car for use by the Mayor. Any other use should be based on best value. If Howard Sykes needs to get to a meeting public transport should be the first assumption. The cost of the official driver's time alone suggests even paying for a taxi would be cheaper. Unless of course Howard Sykes likes swanking at our expense!
By goneaway @ 10/03/2010 13:42:14