Replica chains for mayor could cost a Black Country council £30,000

In October Dudley Council announced plans to get rid of the mayoral limousine and the mayor's attendant in a move to cut costs. 

Council leader Councillor Patrick Harley also said the authority was looking to reduce costs by commissioning replica chains for the mayor to wear on lesser civic functions.

He said the original civic chains would still be used for full council meetings and official engagements such as Remembrance Sunday and Armed Forces Day.

Councillor Harley saved by getting rid of the mayoral car and not having a mayoral attendant to look after the chains would save the council about £60,000 a year.

But sources inside Dudley Council say that estimates gathered so far have put the cost of the replica chains at about £30,000.

Councillor Patrick Harley declined to confirm or deny reports about the cost of the chain, but he did rule out selling the historic personal number plate on the car, which is 1FD and dates back to the time when Dudley had its own vehicle licensing office, and all cars registered in the borough had FD in their registration number. 

Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of the council said: “We’re currently getting in quotes for the replica chains and there are currently no plans to sell the number plates," he said.

Councillor Pete Lowe, leader of the opposition Labour group on Dudley Council, voiced his concerns about the plans.

"We are very concerned about any moves by the current ruling group to reduce the role of the mayor," he said. 

"The mayor is the first citizen and the King's representative of the borough, and raises tens of thousands of pounds for charity every year. They look to be taking savage cuts to that area, and we would oppose them."