Aberdeen council chiefs have invested in a new luxury car to transport the Lord Provost and have claimed the new vehicle will be cheaper and greener.
The new civic vehicle, which includes a small flag of the city’s coat of arms hung from the bonnet, was delivered on Monday on a lease arrangement and will be used by current provost Barney Crockett.
While the previous car was a BMW 730, the new model is a BMW 725.
It is unclear exactly how much the council is paying for the lease, but the costs come out of the city’s Common Good budget for the “civic support team” of the provost.
In March, a budget of £178,000 was set for the year to cover civic car costs, Mr Crockett’s secretary and the costs of the red-coated town sergeants who drive the car and accompany him.
In addition to his duties as provost, including visiting civic groups and welcoming dignitaries, the role also includes being the Lord Lieutenant – the Queen’s representative for the city.
An Aberdeen City Council spokeswoman said: “The civic car is leased by the council and is paid for by the Common Good Fund as part of the civic activities of the council.
“When the lease for the previous vehicle (BMW 730) came to an end, officers sought a new lease and the council took delivery of a replacement vehicle on Monday, July 1.
“The new civic car (BMW 725) costs less in monthly payments than the previous vehicle, has lower running costs and lower C02 emission.”
Opposition Liberal Democrat group leader Ian Yuill said: “If the council were to lease or buy a new civic car, we believe it needs to be one which can be used for other purposes.
“The choice of model must also be appropriate.”
Mr Crockett said the authority would look to greener cars in future.
He added: “I think the people of Aberdeen are very supportive of traditions like the car and enjoy seeing it go about representing the city.”
Frugal bosses at neighbouring Aberdeenshire Council downgraded their provost’s vehicle to a Skoda in 2009 and it’s understood it was later scrapped entirely.
Glasgow Council faced criticism when it unveiled a Rolls Royce for their civic car last year.
SNP councillor Alex Nicoll said: “For a councillor who has championed hydrogen cars, it seems utterly bizarre to choose to run around the streets of Aberdeen in a publicly-funded diesel car.
“Surely there were better, more environmentally friendly, options given the costs involved?”
