Another City Council urged to sell off personalised number plates

The Taxpayers Alliance is calling for the City Council of Aberdeen to auction the lord provosts registration plates, RG0, to help fund the national economic recovery.

The alliance is pushing for Scottish councils to sell off their private number plates, some of which are reputedly worth up to 500,000 pounds.

Aberdeens elected members have hit back, claiming this solution is shortsighted and would losing a piece of the city's heritage.

The convener of the council's finance and resources committee, Councillor Kevin Stewart said: "Once you have sold off an asset, that's it gone for ever. What we would actually be selling off is part of the history of the city, so I would have to be convinced we would get an amazing price for it, to even consider doing it."

Councillor Neil Cooney added: "It's a historical tradition in Aberdeen and we should hold on to as much of our heritage as we can. It is of great sentimental value to the citizens of Aberdeen. I would be opposed to selling it off."

As well as referring to the historical value of RG0, the council says the vehicle, which is used to transport the lord provost while he is performing civic duties, is worthy of the registration because of the prestigious role it plays.

The Taxpayers Alliance, however, remain unconvinced.

"There's no excuse for councils owning prestige number plates at a time when people are struggling to make ends meet. "This kind of indulgence reflects the attitude of politicians towards the hard-pressed taxpayer. "They should be auctioned off and the proceeds used to directly benefit the communities." Said Campaigns director Mark Wallace.

One of the largest number plate dealer in the country has predicted RG0 would fetch at least 50,000 pounds but, say the council, this would barely scratch the surface of the budget deficit.

Councillor Ian Yuill, a member of the finance and resources committee, concluded: "Frankly, anything we would see from a one off sale of RG0 would not even be a drop in the ocean."

Lord Provost Peter Stephen could not be contacted for comment.




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