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Letter: Have All the Costs of Withdrawing the Mayor’s Car Been Properly Weighed?

Published on: 2 Mar, 2021
Updated on: 2 Mar, 2021

From: Anthony Mallard

In response to: Mayor Loses Official Car and Driver to Save £25,000 a Year

I understand the need, by GBC, to be seen to make financial savings. However, the value to the many organisations, schools and charities across the borough, of the attendance of the First Citizen of Guildford is considerable, even if not financially quantifiable.

If the Mayor has to hunt for a parking place and, perhaps, not find a convenient one, it will surely influence a decision whether or not to accept future invitations, especially in locations where parking is unavailable or limited.

Has the cost of alternative transport, taxis, free car park passes and the possibility of fines for breaches of parking legislation been evaluated against the cost of a mayoral car and driver who, in my understanding, was gainfully employed when not required to drive the Mayor.

Will that background information be made publicly available for scrutiny? This appears to me to be a shortsighted decision and a bad one.

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Responses to Letter: Have All the Costs of Withdrawing the Mayor’s Car Been Properly Weighed?

  1. Jan Messinger Reply

    March 2, 2021 at 12:17 pm

    I also wondered if anyone has thought of the safety and well being of the Mayor? Doing a voluntary role in addition to their councillor duties and often more than one event in a day. I appreciate a full-time vehicle and chauffeur may not be required. However, the extra security of having a driver accompanying them is valuable and gives the Mayor as well as the robes and chain of office more protection.

    • Lisa Grant Reply

      March 2, 2021 at 11:18 pm

      Bill Bellerby used a bicycle, if the Mayor needs a car to visit charities and schools, I’m sure they’ll find him somewhere to park his own car (or bicycle).

  2. David Roberts Reply

    March 2, 2021 at 4:38 pm

    Why do we need a ceremonial mayor in the first place? Isn’t this just a bit of useless bumbledom Guildford can do without? Can’t charities be supported without robes and chains?

  3. Colin McCarthy Reply

    March 3, 2021 at 11:57 am

    There has always been a mayoral system in the UK over the last 1,000 years, or so.

    I grew up in Salisbury and the Mayor represented the City of Salisbury in many ways.

    If the mayoral costs can be reduced by any council that would be good but that is
    not always the case.

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