The Mayor of an East Lancashire local authority is to get a new official car just two years before it is due to be abolished under Lancashire devolution.
Hyndburn Council is set to lease a new civic vehicle for driving its ‘First Citizen’ to events in from March, at a cost of more than £4,000 a year.
The authority is currently scheduled to cease to exist under local government reorganisation plans to create new, larger, all-purpose unitary councils in April 2028.
The Mayor of the borough, Cllr Josh Allen, is currently driven around for his civic duties in a 2021 hybrid Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon.
The proposal is revealed in the minutes of Hyndburn Council’s Leader's Policy Development Board published at December’s Cabinet meeting.
They say: “The current budget provision for the lease of the mayoral car was £4.600.00 per annum and the lease cost for the current vehicle was £4,369 per annum.
“That lease was due to expire in March 2026, and the council would, therefore, need to start looking for a replacement vehicle, given possible lengthy order periods.
“The current vehicle was over four years old, with the council taking delivery in March 2021.
“The lease company had confirmed it was not possible to extend the vehicle lease any further, and the car would have to be returned by March 2026 at the very latest.
“Members considered an appendix which set out indicative quotes for both two and three-year leases for vehicles that seemed to be appropriate in terms of dignity/prestige, ability to comfortably carry the mayor and guests whilst robed, wearing hats etc, and green credentials, all being low-emission hybrid or electric vehicles.
“Members were asked to note that the lease cost of a new vehicle was likely to exceed the current budgetary provision by some margin.
“This could be attributed to the comparatively high cost of hybrid and electric vehicles, and car costs generally outstripping the inflationary increases made to the budget.
“Previously, when the council had replaced the Mayoral car, the board had agreed a shortlist of possible vehicles and then officers had arranged for the mayor, mayor’s attendant and a senior officer to inspect and test drive them, prior to a final recommendation for purchase being made.
“It was suggested that this approach be taken again.
“In general, shorter leases tended to be more expensive.
“Members identified three cars to view and test drive: BMW i5 saloon eDrive40 M Sport 84kWh 4dr Auto; Mercedes-Benz C Class C300e AMG Line Premium Plus 4dr 9G-Tronic; and Audi A6 e-tron sportback 210kW 83kWh sport 5dr auto.”
The meeting agreed to seek to procure a vehicle on the basis of a two-year lease, unless a three-year lease would be more economically advantageous, having regard to possible penalties arising from early termination.
Cllr Munsif Dad, leader of Hyndburn Council, said: “Councils typically lease a Mayoral vehicle as a cost-effective way to support the Mayor in attending around 200 civic and community events each year, which is an essential part of representing the borough and supporting local charities, businesses, and residents.
“Reliable transport is crucial for efficiency, as the Mayor often travels to multiple locations in one day, which would be impractical using public transport.”
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