Glasgow's Silver Surfer

An enterprising reader sent me this screen shot of what appears to be Glasgow City Councl's 'new' Rolls Royce - except that the colour of the luxury vehicle is Silver instead of jet Black, as shown in the photo below.

Now I'm told this is because the 'Roller' has been re-sprayed and that the cost of a paint job on such a luxury vehicle would be around £10,000.

So the question is who paid for the paint job - the mysterious, anonymous donor or Glasgow City Council?

I think we should be told.

Glasgow's 'RollerGate' Gathers Steam (07/06/18)

Glasgow's 'RollerGate' drama continues to gather steam with the news that the Council's chief executive, Annemarie O'Donnell, personally approved the decision to accept the top-secret gift of a top-of-the-range luxury Rolls Royce.

I'm beginning to think that Annemarie has a 'Reverse Midas Touch' and that everything she touches turns to dust - because first we had Glasgow's equal pay scandal and its 'unfair for purpose' WPBR, then we had Glasgow's shame over ALEO's (currently being dismantled) and now we have this nonsense over a Rolls Royce which no one needs or wants.

Why do these people think a Rolls Royce helps to improve Glasgow's image?

I've no idea, I have to admit, but not everyone agrees with me - take Carol Monaghan, the SNP MP for Glasgow North West who told the Evening Times:

"Beautiful. Big thanks to the generous donor."

Now I'm amazed that Carol Monaghan has spoken out on this issue because she has had nothing of substance to say on matters of much more importance such as the fight for equal pay in Glasgow City Council which has been raging for the past 12 years.

If I had my way, I'd sell the Rolls Royce and its expensive personalised number plate and put the proceeds towards meeting the cost of equal pay - which the City Council has still to seriously address.

Carol Monaghan, I understand, is the partner of Cllr Feargal Dalton who is the City Council's 'Workforce Convener' so maybe he will step in and help knock some sense into the things.

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/16275121.Revealed__The_council_chief_who_approved___235K_Rolls_Royce_gift_for_Lord_Provost/

Council chief executive Annemarie O’Donnell approved secret Rolls Royce gift for Lord Provost

Annemarie O’Donnell (right) and Eva Bolander with the Rolls Royce

By Alan Ferguson and Stewart Paterson - Evening Times

THE chief executive of Glasgow City Council took the decision to approve and accept an anonymous gift of a luxury Rolls-Royce Ghost car.

As revealed in Wednesday's Evening Times, the council accepted the 6.6-litre luxury car – which costs almost £235,000 new – from an “anonymous donor”, sparking a furious backlash over transparency from opposition councillors and members of the public.

Glasgow MP Paul Sweeney even called for the vehicle to be sold off with cash reinvested in the city.

He tweeted: “It’s Dickensian to have the Lord Provost of Glasgow swanning around in a chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce while local council services are cut by SNP austerity.”

However, Glasgow City Council confirmed Annemarie O’Donnell personally scrutinised the offer and the donor, and was satisfied there was ‘no conflict’ if the gift was to be accepted.

The authority stressed the donor requested anonymity, and the council’s most senior official agreed after carrying out a diligence exercise.

The controversial acceptance of the gift has drawn a furious reaction on social media following the report, with many posting under the Twitter hashtag “#rollergate”.

However, the council stressed it is satisfied the donation is legitimate.

A spokeswoman for the council said: “When the donation was offered, it was made clear the donor wished to remain anonymous.

“The chief executive of the council personally carried out a diligence exercise; looking into the donation and donor.

“She was of the view that there was no conflict and that it was to the city’s benefit to accept the gift.

“On that basis, she was content to agree to the donor’s request for anonymity.”

The spokeswoman added the donor wanted to make the car available and did not want any publicity.

Responding to a question about whether it will be registered as a gift, the spokeswoman added: “No, this was a donation to the city, not to any individual.”

Commenters across Facebook and Twitter have blasted the decision.

Eugene Kelly said: “Definitely not a good image to portray in 2018.

Lander Hynd added: “Sell it and put it towards all these vital services that are cash strapped.”

“Not the image I want to see in an independent Scotland” said Ian Findlayson.

Bea Johanssen said: “Some Scottish politicians seem to be out of control and drunk on their own sense of importance.”

Joanne Frances commented: “Should be sold and more funds for our kids, it’s disgusting.”

However, some have supported the move.

Darren Andrew Park posted: “Fine by me. Private citizen wants to gift an asset to council and remain anonymous, no probs.”

Carol Monaghan SNP Glasgow North West MP said: “Beautiful. Big thanks to the generous donor.”

Gifts, Ghosts and Equal Pay (07/06/18)

Glasgow City Council has got itself into habit of pickle over the mysterious gift of a £235,000 Rolls Royce - and here's a great photo from the Evening Times with the Lord Provost proudly posing outside Glasgow City Chambers with her glamorous new set of wheels.

Apparently, the personalised licence plate - GO - is worth even more than the 'Roller' itself, but the top-secret nature of the donation has caused a big stir in the newspapers and social media, as you can imagine.

Now what I don't understand is why the Council doesn't just sell the Rolls Royce and its fancy number plate and put the money into a special account aimed at meeting its obligations over equal pay.

A terrible 'own goal' on the Council's part, if you ask me.

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/16271219.Council_accepts_top-secret_gift_of___235K_gas-guzzling_Rolls_Royce_for_Lord_Provost/

Council accepts top-secret gift of £235K Rolls Royce for Lord Provost

By Stewart Paterson and Alan Ferguson

A LUXURY Rolls Royce has been gifted to Glasgow City Council from an anonymous benefactor.

The council has accepted a two-year-old black Rolls Royce Ghost to drive Lord Provost Eva Bolander to official events and for visiting VIPs.

But the council is refusing to reveal who gifted the luxury car and opposition councillors are demanding transparency over the gift.

Lord Provost Eva Bolander said: “On behalf of the city, I’d like to thank the donor for their civic generosity and philanthropy.

“I want Glasgow to show its best face to the world and this gift will help us do that.

“It’s a show-stopping car and a tremendous asset.”

The council says it will replace one of its Volkswagen Phaetons that was due to have its lease renewed and it will save money.

The 6.6L car would cost around £235,305 brand new and has high fuel consumption.

At 15 miles per gallon, one gallon of petrol would hardly get the Lord Provost from one side of Glasgow to another. From Clydebank to Baillieston is 14 miles.

Labour, Conservative and Green councillors said the gift and the donor should be declared openly.

Labour group leader, Frank McAveety said: “The council said it would be open and transparent, but the people of Glasgow would like to know where it has come from.”

Conservative councillor, Thomas Kerr, said: “It’s ridiculous - doubling up early years, introducing swimming charges and the Lord Provost’s driving around in a Rolls Royce.

“Serious questions need to be asked. Why is no one telling us where it has come from?

“I think a lot of working parents and families will think this is a slap in the face to them.”

Jon Molyneux, Green councillor, said “It would be great to move beyond a culture that thinks gas-guzzling status symbols are necessary to show off our city to guests, when there are clearly more sustainable and more appropriate alternatives.

“However, what will concern citizens most is the anonymous nature of this elite-level gift. In an era when people rightly expect full transparency it would clearly be better if the donor made their identity public.”

The Council’s policy on acceptance of gifts for employees states: “Employees should notify a member of their Service leadership team, or nominated authorising officer of all offers, whether accepted, declined or used for charitable purpose. This must be recorded in the Gift and Hospitality register within 7 days of the offer.”

The ghost is a car favoured by the rich and famous who have a taste for the flamboyant lifestyle. American rappers including Ice-T and The Game are owners. Rod Stewart, J-lo, Puff Daddy, and boxer Floyd (Money) Mayweather are all owners.

*Rolls Royce Ghost 0-60 in under five seconds. Could hit 60mph by the time it leaves George Square.

*Top speed of 155mph although it will of course never be driven at that speed.

*Co2 emissions 327mg/km. For comparison BMW 5–124mg/km Fiat 500 110mg/km

*Fuel consumption 15mpg.