Council attacked for luxury car plan at time of huge cuts

The authority’s current lease is for two cars that they propose to replace with one cheaper model. However Coun Stewart Golton said last night he had discovered that the cheaper model is another Jaguar, worth £57,000 which would be bought outright by the council.

Last night a spokeswoman for the council stressed no decision had yet been made and said a business case was currently being put together.

Coun Golton, Liberal Democrat group leader said: “At a time when social care budgets in the city are being slashed it is patently wrong to be spending tens of thousands of pounds on a luxury car. Leeds rates payers need to be aware of this waste. Better value for money alternatives are available, but weren’t even considered.

“It should be pointed out that this decision has not been taken by the Lord Mayor. He has been put in a difficult position. Indeed in the past he has stated that he would even take the bus to save the taxpayer money in difficult times.”

Coun Jamie Matthews (Headingley, Lib Dem), added: “I have looked into this, and there is no need to buy a new car at all. The council currently owns two stretch limos. Why scrap them both to buy a new one? Calderdale Council made do with leasing a Skoda at a fraction of the price.”

Last year Leeds had to find cuts of £90m and the local authority will have to find another £47m this year. It is currently considering the future of nine old people’s homes and day centres and has agreed to axe some libraries.

A spokeswoman for the council said: “It should be pointed out that no decision has yet been made about the Lord Mayor’s cars.

“We are, however, in the process of exploring a number of different options for the future, as the two civic vehicles that we currently have are old and costing too much money to maintain.

“This is an area where we can make efficiencies, and our commitment to saving taxpayer’s money has already been demonstrated by our not appointing a deputy Lord Mayor this year.

“And, while we’re very grateful for the Lord Mayor’s offer to travel to his engagements on the bus, we feel that given the important role he has to play in the city that it is more appropriate for him to arrive at the majority of events by car.”