Scots Sacrifice Plate to Raise Cash

West Lothian council has bowed to popular opinion by deciding to sell its historic number plate. Council officials say that the move will send out the correct signals to other local authorities, who are facing collective debts of more than £9 million.

The plate, ASX 1, is expected to raise around £7000 at auction. As council leader, Peter Johnston, confides, "retaining the plate is no longer a priority". Furthermore, the thrifty burghers have also decided to dispense with the chauffeur-driven Volvo S80 on which the registration currently resides. “We’ve said from the beginning that no stone can be left unturned in our quest to find vital savings," says Mr Johnston. “Councillors must lead by example.”

There may, of course, be some element of tokenism in this announcement. After all, £7k is a drop in an ocean of expenditure. But, for whatever reason, the lead has not yet been followed by other local authorities, who still appear reluctant to release the capital from their stockpile of prestige plates, some of which are potentially the most valuable in the UK. Glasgow is still stubbornly sitting on G 0 and V 0, whilst Edinburgh cannot bring itself to part with S 0 and S 10, insisting that the plates have “historical value to the city”.

Elsewhere, the Provost of Perth, John Hulbert, cannot tear himself away from his beloved ES 1 mark, even for an estimated £150,000 and Midlothian clings to its prized SY 0. Whilst making a good point that the plate represents "an asset which grows in value every year," the spokesman's claim that the plates are "essential for guests including visiting royalty and important businesses,” is surely more than a little contentious in times of austerity.

The West Lothian initiative has been welcomed by pressure groups, eager to strip away corporate trappings in order to fund depleted resources. Emma Boon, of the Taxpayers' Alliance, is adamant that, “In these tough financial conditions councils must find significant savings." adding that, "It’s disgraceful for councils to cling on to these luxuries at a time when taxpayers are struggling to make ends meet.”

One thing is certain. Following the catastrophic financial downturn, registrations are one of the few investments to have increased in value. So, perhaps the argument should not be about selling existing plates, but about buying new ones.

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