Councils splashing cash on luxury cars
Taxpayers’grouphitsoutatamount spentferryingProvoststoevents
Both North and South Lanarkshire councils spend thousands of pounds each year on ferrying round their provosts.
Figures released by the TaxPayers’ Alliance have shown, since 2015, North Lanarkshire Council has spent more than £20,000 on costs for the provost’s vehicle, while in neighbouring South Lanarkshire, almost £5000 was spent.
The results of a Freedom of Information request by the TaxPayers’ Alliance has revealed big spending on luxury vehicles for provosts throughout Scotland.
At present, North Lanarkshire Provost Jean Jones is driven around to various events and functions in an Audi A6.
The cost of the car on fuel since 2015 was £20,100, with the cost being made up of a leasing agreement.
In South Lanarkshire, current Provost Ian McAllan is driven around in a Volvo S80.
Since 2015, the local authority has paid £2731.60 with maintenance at a cost of £2015.55.
The TaxPayers’ Alliance has hit out at the figures, suggesting millions of pounds could be saved throughout the UK 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.
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.”
However, North Lanarkshire Council say the Provost’s duties “inevitably mean significant mileage”, with a spokesperson adding: “The council has taken significant steps in recent years to lower transport costs, with the introduction of fleet cars for employees and the reduction from two civic vehicles to one.
“The Provost and other office bearers carry out essential civic functions which inevitably mean significant mileage.
“The leasing of the civic vehicle represents value for money for taxpayers compared with the cost of mileage expenses and maintenance and we have no plans to change those arrangements.”
South Lanarkshire Council executive director of finance and corporate resources, Paul Manning, said: “The costs associated with maintaining and running the Provost’s vehicle are negligible when considering the range of civic duties he attends throughout the year.
“The Provost regularly travels across all 1100 square miles of South Lanarkshire, and sometimes beyond, as the council’s civic figurehead.
“He attends around 170 functions each year, including 100th birthdays and diamond wedding anniversaries as well as events which organisations, charities and businesses invite him to.
“The cost of maintaining and fuelling the vehicle is approximately £1500 a year which we feel is excellent value for the positive message and role the Provost plays in representing South Lanarkshire.
“The vehicle is not leased and is owned by the council.”