IS Borough of Poole taking its budget cuts too far?

Poole’s civic party may have been forgiven for thinking so when their chauffeured limo ground to a halt.

The Deputy Mayor and Mayoress, Cllr Charles and Barbara Meachin had just been dropped off home after a festive event when the driver’s door of the stretch Ford developed a fault.

But when chauffeur Mike Weetman called the AA, he discovered the cover for the mayor’s car had run out last month (Nov).

Nothing daunted the resourceful Mr Weetman, who made a temporary repair and drove the car back to the Civic Centre. He then used his own car to collect the mayor, Cllr Chris Bulteel and mayoress, wife Angela, from another engagement and take them home.

Was it a cut too far? No, it was more an embarrassing omission, according to the council’s democratic services manager.

Pauline Gill said: “Due to an administrative oversight, the car’s breakdown cover had not been renewed.

“This has now been reinstated and the fault is being repaired. Neither the mayor or deputy mayor were inconvenienced during this time.”

In the meantime a hire car is being used – covered by the council’s breakdown cover.