Lord Mayor makes waves by floating boat idea

A LORD Mayor has caused a row – by floating plans for a civic boat.

Controversial politician Councillor Colin Inglis wants to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Hull’s Mayoralty next year by launching the vessel.

He wants to use the steel hull of a boat built by trainee engineers, which has been gathering dust in a council depot for six years. As his original idea, it was sunk after a report at the time said it would cost £200,000.

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But Coun Inglis – whose role means he is also Admiral of the Humber – said the figure was “madness”.

“It’s only a little cabin cruiser; it’s not the QE2,” he said. “I am hoping we will get it finished by engineering apprentices. They are the ones who started it and didn’t get it finished because colleagues panicked.”

Coun Inglis, who was behind the city’s Big Screen, taken down by the Liberal Democrats when they were in power, said the boat could be used for official visits and at Hull Regatta.

The councillor – who is also seeking to be the Humber’s first police commissioner – said he would not benefit as his term would be over before its launch.

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But he said: “It will provide experience to the apprentices and get them involved in something they can be proud of.

“Potentially over the long term, it could give organisations like the Sea Cadets something they could use.”

However the plans have been roundly condemned – by his own Labour colleagues.

Council leader Coun Steve Brady said: “I did say I would go down and see the said barge and that’s the only promise I have given.

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“Funding is out of the question. Every penny of the council’s budget is accounted for. It can’t be done unless Colin or anyone else can find private funding for it.”

And Coun Phil Webster added: “It would be totally unacceptable when people of the city are having services cut.

“It is inconceivable spending money on something like that in the current climate. He’s an Admiral of the Humber – but he doesn’t need a ship. It is an honorary title.”