'Fake chains and corsa' row as councillor says 'Birmingham's bankrupt and haven’t gone after this'
Dudley’s mayor could be doing her duty in fake chains of office and driving herself to events after council cuts. The borough is to cancel the mayor’s official limousine and chauffeur, saying the Kings’ representative will have to make their own way to civic functions.
A former mayor’s consort and senior councillor says the thought of the mayor arriving in a Vauxhall Corsa will make the borough a laughing stock when even bankrupt Birmingham hasn’t gone as far looking for savings. To add insult to injury the borough’s first citizen could be carrying out her duties in fake chains of office because the mayoral assistant, who guards the gold chains, is also getting axed.
Councillor Adam Aston, who served as mayor’s consort when his mother Margaret Aston was mayor is demanding a rethink. Cllr Aston said: “The mayor is the physical embodiment of civic pride and represents the King and the Lord Lieutenant.
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“The idea that the mayor can turn up to functions in a Vauxhall Corsa and park next to the mayors of other authorities – it diminishes the status of the borough.” Dudley Council is currently faced with finding millions of pounds in savings to fill a black hole in its finances and avoid following City of Birmingham Council having to declare itself effectively bankrupt.
Dudley Council’s leader, Cllr Patrick Harley said: “We are facing unprecedented financial challenges, and we need to look at all areas of spend including how we operate the mayoral function. “By no longer having a permanent mayoral car and an attendant, we can save around £60,000 a year, while providing the serving mayor with the freedom to drive themselves to any number of engagements as they wish, without the need for a member of staff to accompany them.
“Replica chains are being considered and could be worn for some smaller occasions, with the original civic chains to still be in use for full council and official engagements such as Remembrance Sunday and Armed Forces Day.” The current Dudley mayor, Cllr Hilary Bills, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service she was unable to comment.
Cllr Aston added: “Birmingham is effectively bankrupt and they haven’t gone after the mayoralty. “Whoever suggested this doesn’t understand the borough’s history and the importance of the mayor in the civic life of the borough, they are selling off the family silver – once it’s gone it’s gone.
“I was always struck by how pleased people are when the mayor comes along to their event, they expect gold chains and the mayor to arrive in style. “That’s what it means to be the first citizen in the office of mayor.”
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