Time to drive costs down

How soon before the Mayor of Sunderland carries out her civic duties on a unicycle?

Austerity has bitten so deep that no expense can go through the system without rigorous inspection from the taxpayers.

And, as we ask today, is it time to kiss goodbye to the expense of civic vehicles?

There was a time when the mayor and other civic dignitaries rocked up to events in high end, chauffeur-driven saloons with private number plates ... and all on the public purse.

These days, however, such largesse will not be tolerated.

There has to be a sound financial argument for every penny spent within the authority.

News that Sunderland City Council has spent £42,258 on civic cars since 2015 will stick in the craw of many taxpayers.

That said, there are those who would consider a unicycle as the official mode of transport for our dignitaries as a luxury!

‘They’ve got legs, why can’t they walk?’

The Taxpayers Alliance, who made the Freedom of Information request for these figures across the country, clearly have an axe to grind, but makes an interesting point.

A spokesman said: “Taxpayers are tired of hearing local authorities say they have no money left when there are still instances of excessive spending. Families who struggle to pay their council tax bill will roll their eyes at the thought of their hardearned money being spent on Bentleys and Jaguars for politicians to attend functions.”

We don’t expect to see civic dignitaries travel by roller skate or pushbike, but a clearer breakdown and justification of this expense is in order if we are to drive costs down.