Deputy mayor's civic car to be sold

The 2004 Volvo S80 used by Rotherham's deputy mayor is going up for sale

A car used by a deputy mayor for civic engagements is to be sold.

Rotherham Council said the 2004 Volvo S80, which has been used 21 times since 2019, is no longer considered necessary due to its low usage and age.

It comes after a review of civic protocol by council officers, which found the mayor and deputy mayor no longer attend civic engagements on the same day, reducing the need for two vehicles.

The vehicle is due to be auctioned on 6 March with any funds raised going towards the council's capital funding pot.

The council said although the vehicle no longer incurred direct costs for its purchase, ongoing costs for repairs, maintenance, and fuel, could now be saved - according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

In the event both the mayor and deputy mayor are required to attend engagements on the same day, a hire vehicle will be arranged - but this would be on a rare occasion and no budget allocation had been made.

Both civic figures will be able to continue using the main mayoral car, an Audi A8.

The disposal of the vehicle is part of an ongoing effort to ensure the effective use of resources within the council's operations, the authority added.

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