Group urged to make savings on £10k mayoral robe

Mayor of Carlisle, councillor Jeanette Whalen, said the current robe was damaged

Savings could be made when replacing a mayoral robe, a councillor has said.

The Charter Trustees of Carlisle, which aims to preserve the mayoral tradition in the city, decided to replace the ceremonial robe at a cost of £9,945 at a meeting last month, due to its age and wear.

Independent Cumberland councillor Robert Betton, who sits on the committee, said opportunities to make savings were missed and believed the current robe could be refurbished at a lower cost.

The Labour Mayor of Carlisle Jeanette Whalen said the robe's fragility meant it was not possible to repair it and the "cheapest like-for-like option" was chosen.

The Charter Trustees of Carlisle committee is made up of Cumberland councillors but is a separate entity to the local authority and funding comes taxpayers.

There would be additional costs on top of the £9,945 to decorate the robe, the meeting heard.

Betton said he was "appalled" to see the "squandering of taxpayers' money" from the charter trustees' budget for the robe.

"We should preserve the original robe and extend its life for many, many years to come," he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

'Lead by example'

Whalen said the current robe was about 45 years old and damaged.

"Due to its age, fragility and type of material it is not possible to repair it further," she said.

"Trustees agreed to purchase the cheapest like-for-like robe to preserve its unique pattern and history, subject to further information being provided on the environmental impact and sustainability of the material choices."

The mayoral car was also discussed on 16 July and it was agreed that an electric Mercedes EQE be leased, subject to further price discussions with local providers.

Betton said there were also cheaper options for the car, rather than leasing a Mercedes, and added: "We must lead by example and show to the public we are trying to save money."

The councillor suggested the mayor could travel in a pool car or take the train or bus to events.

Whalen said the charter trustees did not have access to a pool car and public transport was "not feasible" due to the time and locations of events and "need to safely and securely transport the highly valuable mayoral regalia".