THE Lord Mayor of York’s limousine looks set to be replaced – and the new vehicle could be a green one powered by electricity.
City of York Council said the current mayoral limousine was nine years old, dogged by mechanical problems and highly inefficient in its consumption of fuel.
A spokeswoman revealed the authority was currently test-driving a number of potential replacement vehicles, which could include electric cars.
The test was at no cost to the council and no decisions had yet been taken, she said, adding that council leader, James Alexander, would consult with other group leaders on the way forward.
Coun Alexander said the current Lord Mayor’s car was “reaching the end of the road.” He said: “It’s not in a good state, not fuel-efficient and is not currently good value for money.
“I have asked for discussions over a replacement Lord Mayor’s car to take place between group leaders, because the Lord Mayoralty belongs to all of York, not just the Labour administration.”
He said options could include an electric vehicle, and he had discussions with the deputy leader of Hull council about this, but there were not many long stretch electric vehicles.
“The car needs to be fitting of the Lord Mayor of York.
“It needs to be good value for money.”
Tory opposition leader, Coun Ian Gillies, said he fully supported the procurement of an appropriate vehicle for the civic party.
He said: “The Lord Mayor is the first citizen of York and standards and support for the position must be maintained.”
Liberal Democrat leader Coun Carol Runciman said a new car needed to be reliable, economical with fuel and give value for money.
“It has got to have good green credentials and it would be very good if it could be diesel or dual fuel.
“It has got to be comfortable and to have a low floor so that Lord Mayors, Lady Mayoresses, mayoral consorts or visitors with mobility problems can get in and out easily and with dignity, and it has got to reflect the dignity of the office and look presentable alongside other mayoral cars.”
‘Green’ limo idea has much merit
EVEN Lord Mayors need to change their cars occasionally. The current limousine in York is coming up for a decade old and is not only fraught with mechanical problems, but highly inefficient in its fuel consumption.
Now councillors are asking how much longer the tax-payer should pay for it to be repaired.
So it seems likely a new car will be bought and while it may sound an extravagance in these times of economic austerity, we are talking about the city’s ambassador and he or she should be transported in a vehicle that befits York’s first citizen.
One option being test-driven is an electric car and while no proposals have been made or decisions taken, it is encouraging that the council looks keen to adopt a vehicle with green credentials.
Things are still in the early stages, but we hope the car will be replaced by one that is environmentally-friendly.
Having the Lord Mayor set an example to the rest of us would be fitting and of course the running costs will be a fraction of his present gas guzzler.
And that would again see York leading the way for other cities to follow.
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