TAMESIDE Council big-wigs are using a top-of-the-range BMW to attend official functions, it has been revealed.
Council leader Roy Oldham is just one of those who uses the 5 Series BMW, which is set to cost local taxpayers at least £21,000 over the next three years. The car - used by both councillors and officials - is on a three-year lease to the council and has replaced a Rover 75.
But its use has been branded an expensive waste of money by Tory leader Councillor Colin Grantham.
Figures obtained by the Advertiser under the Freedom of Information Act show the vehicle costs £540 per month. An initial deposit of £2,052 has already been paid.
The BMW, valued at £33,000 new, has been funded by the council's transport budget, which has to make savings of £27,000 this year.
Town hall chiefs have defended use of the BMW, saying it is a corporate car available for councillors, senior officers, MPs and visiting VIPs. They are driven around by other council staff.
Far from being unusual, they say neighbouring councils often use pool cars or hire vehicles when the mayor's car is unavailable.
They say it was not possible to replace the Rover with a 'like for like' vehicle since the company is no longer trading.
Councillor Colin Grantham said: "It proves Labour's total arrogance for the council taxpayer and the problems they face on Tameside's roads every day."
A council spokeswoman said: "The car referred to is not exclusively used by the executive leader.
"It is a corporate vehicle used by council members and senior officers ... for example where two vehicles are required for Mayoral functions or visiting dignitaries.
"I understand this is not an unusual situation, with other councils hiring vehicles on an 'as and when' basis for corporate requirements when the mayor's vehicle is unavailable."
She said the council's good record on the state of the roads was evidenced by the fact that Tameside has the lowest number of accidents within Greater Manchester, is always striving to improve road safety and has a 'repudiation' rate of 90 per cent in regard to road accident claims.
Showing comments 1 to 3 and replies | View All
Joey, Ashton under Lyne (25/05/2006 at 12:57)
Jack, Ashton (29/05/2006 at 21:22)
So next time you see Mr Oldham cruise past you whilst you get drenched at the bus stop, dodging the knives and bottles of a poorly-disciplined and rotten borough, remember than YOU VOTED HIM IN, and YOU'RE PAYING for his comfort and luxury in the back of that BMW, and HE'S LAUGHING AT YOU from behind that brandy glass as he streaks past back to his protected home - ALL PAID FOR BY YOU.
Rule Britannia!
You voted for all this! Enjoy it.
kay, stalybridge (05/02/2007 at 11:35)
the councillors milking TMBCs funds is only the tip of the iceburg.
anyone who works in tameside council knows how easy money it can be when you realise you need to play the clique game. management staff have the cushiest number yet they go on 'stress leave' the minute they get asked to do something that really matters. many staff are on 'protected salaries' in other words being paid 30-40k for paper pushing. jobs are created for friends all the time.
there are two finger salutes put out to tameside residents all the time. Changing bins being emptied to every fortnight, bmws for councillors, new shiny entrances costing £k's to 'pat on the back' functions for every project that gets started with the easiest targets that would get laughed at in the private sector.
even the surveys are trimmed to present how the council is viewed.
whenever anything really innovative is started with external funding they have to go outside the council because they dont have the skills within. out of how many staff? - what does that tell you?