THE Mayor of Derby – whose chauffeur is being axed to save costs – could soon be driven around in a flash limousine.
GE Simnett and Family Funeral Directors, based in Chellaston, says it is interested in taking on the role.
The company's owner George Simnett – who at the age of 20 is thought to be Britain's youngest undertaker – said it would help promote his business while enabling the mayor to continue attending functions.
Plans to axe the Mayor of Derby's office and driver were revealed last week.
If the proposal goes ahead, the mayor's staff and chauffeur would be made redundant and the role would no longer involve attending public functions or engagements. The city council said the move would help offset Government-enforced cuts.
Announcing the proposal, leader Paul Bayliss said he hoped a private firm would offer to chauffeur the mayor as part of a sponsorship deal, so the councillor in the role could carry on attending public functions.
City taxi firm Derby Carz was first to throw its hat into the ring.
Now Mr Simnett said he wants his company to be considered too.
He said: "It would be great advertising for us and it would also be a privilege to be chauffeuring the mayor.
"We may be a funeral firm but our limousines can be used for various engagements. Only the other day, one of our limousines collected a lady from East Midlands Airport as it was her birthday.
"We have five drivers and, providing they are available, they would be happy to chauffeur the mayor.
"We'd certainly like to speak to the council to see what exactly it is they are wanting."
The council said it could save £103,000 a year by scrapping the Mayor's Office, which includes three full-time members of staff – including the chauffeur – who organise the mayor's schedule.
A final decision on whether to axe the office will be made after a public consultation is carried out.
Mr Bayliss said the council would be interested in talking to Mr Simnett.
"We're interested in talking to anyone who is interested in becoming the mayor's chauffeur," the council leader said.
Opinion has been mixed on how important the mayor's role is in Derby.
In an poll on the Derby Telegraph's website, 60% of readers said the city needed a mayor and 40% said the role was not important.
Readers also posted their views about the council's proposal to axe the Mayor's Office on the website.
Derby_proud said: "I am absolutely outraged. What an absolute disgrace!"
Will Croft3 said: "The city is making cuts in all departments. It is only right that cuts are being made in the Mayor's Office."
