According to figures published by the Tax Payers' Alliance, Cheshire East Council has spent more money than any other local authority in the North West on a mayoral car.
The Tax Payers' Alliance sent a Freedom of Information request to all 418 local authorities in the country, asking how many cars they had for the use of their mayor. A total of 372 local authorities responded to the FOI request, of which 207 spent money on mayoral cars.
Cheshire East Council is one of three local authorities in the UK to own a Bentley Continental Flying Spur which is used by the mayor for ceremonial duties.
The total amount spent on this vehicle between April 2015 and March 2018 was £67,980, which covers the purchase price of £55,800, £10,664 on fuel and £1,516.5 for maintenance.
At the time of publication we are awaiting a comment from Cheshire East Council.
Comments
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All with significantly less running costs than a Bentley and with considerable residual value after 3 years use. Lease deals are also available at considerably less cost than this paid waste.
BUT.. Who on earth (or indeed CEC ) in their right minds, sanctioned this abhorrent Waste of Taxpayers funds ? Particularly to a 3rd rate office of no importance, Who When Where and Why ? and what was the actual cost including any Chauffeur / Overtime etc. There is no shame here obviously, no civic duty considered to residents in seeking more affordable methods of travel.
I would like to know if this vehicle was used to pick up the very unimportant person from their home address as that would be a misuse of the vehicle incurring a taxable payment on the user as it was not starting duty from The Palace of CEC shire
Whilst £68K would buy an awful lot of taxi rides, it would certainly buy a heck of a lot more donkey rides , which would be far more appropriate for these charlatans, frittering our cash like confetti
Anyway IF it was new, then CEC got a good deal from a Cheshire world class, much respected, automotive manufacturer. Would be really shocking if it had been an import, or if any employee cars are imports.
There are far more serious issues with our frequently inept, uncaring Council.
If the Mayor decides he wants a Bentley Continental Flying Spur, he can buy one and we will pay him 40p/mile for official engagements only.
Cec just gets worse!!
We've got ourselves yet another token and probably quite unneccessary functionary post that somehow or other has justified the retention of a dedicated vehicle (no mention of the driver/garaging and insurance costs) when the requirement is effectively just a taxi service; there are so many limo. services available in the area at what must be a fraction of the cost.
Kick 'em Out next year.