THE CONTEST of wills between Torbay mayor Nick Bye and councillors over the £50,000 for the civic chairman's Jaguar and chauffeur rumbles on.

With a 19 to 13 majority in favour, the full council asked Mr Bye to reconsider his decision to axe the cash, which pays for the civic car and driver.

However, the vote may be futile, as unless Mr Bye gives way at a cabinet meeting due to be held on Wednesday, February 18, it will require a two thirds majority of those present at the next council meeting on February 26 to force the issue through against his will.

It may be a close run thing but the numbers may be on Mr Bye's side by a single vote.

Mr Bye said in the difficult financial climate the civic budget is a not a matter of priority.

"I don't believe that it does this council any favours to continue with this £50,000 in the current environment."

He said there was no widespread public campaign or support for the civic chairman.

"It is a confusion. I wish someone would come forward to rewrite the role of the chairman and take on the charity work. It is rewarding but is not the main part of my role," he said.

In a debate lasting almost one and a half hours, councillors on both sides of the Tory-Lib Dem divide spoke in support of retaining the civic role of the council chairman for one year only to enable a review to take place by scrutiny councillors.

A recorded vote was taken. Those against the cut were: Peter Addis (Con), Nicole Amil (Con), Christine Carter (Lib Dem), Roger Carter (Con), Colin Charlwood (Lib Dem), Steve Darling (Lib Dem), Ian Doggett (Lib Dem), Robert Excell (Con), Alan Faulkner (Lib Dem), Jenny Faulkner (Lib Dem), Martyn Hodge (Con), Roger Kerslake (Con), Terry Manning (Con), Gordon Oliver (Con), Ruth Pentney (Lib Dem), Matthew Phillips (Con), Jeanette Richards (Con), Roger Stringer (Lib Dem), and David Thomas (Con).

Those for the cut were: Louisa Aiton (Con), Neil Bent (Con), David Butt (Con), Nick Bye (Ind), Kevin Carroll (Con), Vic Ellery (Ind), Stuart John (Con), Chris Lewis (Con), Derek Mills (Con), Mike Morey (Ind), Julien Parrott (Ind), John Thomas (Con), and Anna Tolchard (Con).

Cllrs Robert Horne and Beryl McPhail , both Conservatives, abstained. Cllrs Michael Hytche and Christine Scoular also Conservatives, were absent, and Cllr Cindy Stocks (Lib Dem) left the meeting before the vote was taken.

Proposing the money not be cut from the chairman's budget, Cllr Excell said he wanted a stay of execution to give time for a review. He said: "There is total confusion about the civic chairman. It is not about the Jaguar, it is about a man's job and pride in the Bay."

Supporting him Cllr Roger Carter said: "I really don't think this is what the silent majority of the Bay want. They do not want to see the deletion of this role."

He said a review would give time to explore offers from the motor trade to provide an official car.

Brixham councillor Vic Ellery said if there was a stark choice between a grant for the port's museum and money for the civic budget it was not a difficult decision.

Cllr Mike Morey said: "Money for a civic chairman pales into inconsequence when compared with the other problems we face."

Cllr Gordon Oliver said: "It is not something we should destroy. It is something we should add to and protect."

Cllr Jenny Faulkner, who was wearing her ceremonial badges marking her time in office, said she wore the emblems with pride.

Cllr Julien Parrot said he was in favour of abolishing the civic role and not just cutting £50,000 from the chairman's budget.

"The elected mayor is the first citizen of the Torbay. It is insensitive to continue with the civic chairman in open defiance of the wishes of the electorate who voted for the elected mayor."

Cllr Colin Charlwood, who with Cllr Jenny Faulkner are the only past mayors still serving on the council, and who also wore emblems of his former role, said the cost of the civic car was a red herring and backed a review.

Cllr John Thomas said: "The civic budget has been a boil on the back of the neck of the council for too long and if not lanced can do damage to the reputation of this council."

Cllr Matthew Phillips, the council vice-chairman in the chair in the absence of chairman Michael Hytche who is recovering from heart surgery, said he was disgusted with the way the issue had brought in a council employee.

"The civic officer has been treated appallingly in the way this issue has been spun."

Cllr Kevin Carroll said: "I don't think there is a feeling in the Bay for a civic chairman.

"When we elected the mayor in 2005 there was no place for a civic chairman but for a chairman of the council. The elected mayor is the first citizen and it is for him to decide what he does.

The wrangle over the £50,000 cut to the chairman's budget is not likely to have much impact on the council tax bill which is rising by 3.94 per cent, which for the average bill Band D will be £1,227.

The total council tax will be set at next council meeting on February 26 when the Brixham town council, police and fire precepts are known.

Earlier the councillors talked for an hour about Lib Dem improvement ideas to spend an extra £707,000. The proposals were defeated overwhelmingly with votes going along party lines.

BYE THE BYE: Page 9