By Hayley Robinson

Could the Mayor of Swale soon find himself using public transport or a push bike to get to get to events?

A report by the cross party Mayoralty Review Group suggests that with the lease on the civic car due to expire in April that "alternative and more cost effective means of transporting the Mayor to events" should be considered.

It is one of several cost-cutting ideas put forward by the group which has been reviewing the role of the Mayor and identifying potential savings within the civic budget as Swale council looks at ways to make a £5m saving over the next three years.

Other recommendations include axing the Mayor’s annual garden party; merging the hospitality, twinning and civic events budget into one budget of £4,000, thus saving the council £2,560; to terminate the rental of a garage and park the civic car below Swale House saving the council £340; that the Mayor should only attend a maximum of 12 events held outside the borough; and that the annual meeting of the council should be held in the council chamber.

It is recommended that the Mayor and deputy Mayor’s personal allowances of £3,260 and £1,310 remain the same.

The recommendations were approved by full council last week but a final decision won't be made until the budget is set on February 24.