Derbyshire Councils Spend £56,364 on Vehicles for Civic Leaders

Strategic Insights -

Derbyshire's local authorities have recently spent a combined total of £56,364 on vehicles for their appointed leaders, according to figures obtained by the Local Democracy Reporting Service through Freedom of Information requests. This expenditure for civic transport has been particularly noteworthy as councils across the region are struggling to maintain balanced budgets due to the reduction in central government grants and the limitations on their ability to raise funds.

Key Takeaways:

  • Erewash Borough Council and Chesterfield Borough Council are the major spenders, accounting for £37,660.99 of the overall sum, with the rest being spent by Derbyshire County Council, Derby City Council, High Peak Borough Council, and North East Derbyshire District Council.
  • Most vehicles are electric, with the exception of the luxury vehicle leased by Erewash, a BMW 745Le valued at around £80,000.
  • The vehicles are used by the mayors and deputy mayors for attending community engagements, supporting local businesses and charities, and other civic duties.
  • The expenditures also include associated staffing costs, tax, insurance, fuel, and other expenses.
  • Chesterfield Borough Council uses a Citroen E-C4 on a long lease, valued at approximately £30,000, while Erewash has leased a BMW 745Le, valued at £80,000.
  • Amber Valley Borough Council, Bolsover District Council, Derbyshire Dales District Council, and South Derbyshire District Council have not spent anything on civic transport in the past year.

Statistics:

  • £56,364: The combined total spent by Derbyshire councils on vehicles for their appointed leaders over the past calendar year (March 2022 to March 2023).
  • £37,660.99: The amount spent by Erewash Borough Council and Chesterfield Borough Council on vehicles in the past year.
  • Over £30,000: The value of the luxury vehicle leased by Chesterfield Borough Council.
  • Over £80,000: The value of the luxury vehicle leased by Erewash Borough Council.
  • £315.98: The monthly rate of the hire agreement between the council and Kinto One for the Toyota Camry Saloon 2.5 VVT-i hybrid Excel 4dr CVT.
  • £2,803.07: The interdepartmental transfer made by Derbyshire County Council for the provision of the chauffeuring service.
  • Over £64,000: The value of the tender contract agreed between Erewash Borough Council and Pinnacle Executive Cars Limited for three years.

Sources:

  • Byline: Eddie Bisknell, Local Democracy Reporter
  • Source: Local Democracy Reporting Service
  • Source: Chesterfield Borough Council
  • Source: Erewash Borough Council
  • Source: Derbyshire County Council
  • Source: Derby City Council
  • Source: High Peak Borough Council
  • Source: North East Derbyshire District Council
  • Source: South Derbyshire District Council
  • Source: Kinto One
  • Source: Toyota
  • Source: Pinnacle Executive Cars Limited