Midlothian Council slammed for buying expensive electric car for officials as pupils lose free transport
The black Polestar 2, which retails at a minimum of £45,000, was acquired earlier this year
Midlothian Council has been criticised for purchasing a brand-new electric car worth at least £45,000 as controversy continues over its decision to deny hundreds of pupils free school transport.
The council purchased the fully electric Polestar 2 earlier this year and the vehicle is being used by elected members and senior council officers for official business.
It is understood the car was bought to replace a Nissan Leaf - a significantly cheaper car - which was used for the same purpose in previous years.
A spokesperson for Midlothian Council said the car was acquired as part of a planned programme to replace older council vehicles, and was purchased at a significant discount through a national public sector purchasing agreement.
But locals have described the purchase as an “appalling use of taxpayers’ money,”. One said : “It is the type of luxury vehicle many in Midlothian can only dream of owning.”
It also comes at a time when the council is facing significant backlash over a review of its school transport system, which has resulted in hundreds of pupils losing free transport to school.
It was revealed this week that 30 per cent of the 1,900 applications it received for school bus passes ahead of the new school term were rejected, with the number of pupils supported dropping from 2,300 to around 1,400.
Concerns were also raised about maps sent to some families detailing "safe" walking routes for their children to get to school, which took youngsters across busy roads and through unlit wooded areas.
A spokesperson for Dalkeith High School’s Parent Partnership, which held a public meeting about the issue last week, said: “Families experiencing social and economic difficulties and pupils with additional support needs are likely to be adversely affected when safe, reliable transport as an essential component in accessing education is removed.
“This will encourage truancy, put vulnerable children at risk and negatively impact on attendance, engagement and attainment at school.”
In response to concerns about the purchasing of the electric car, a Midlothian Council spokesperson said: "The car was bought as part of our planned programme to replace older council vehicles.
“It replaces a council car that had become too expensive to keep repairing and maintaining.
“The car was bought through a national public sector purchasing agreement, which meant the council received a significant discount.
“It is a shared council vehicle used for official business by elected members and senior officers and is not assigned to any one person.
“We chose a fully electric vehicle – the Polestar 2 - with a longer battery range so it can be used efficiently for council and civic duties while helping to reduce emissions.”
The new vehicle can reach up to 60mph in under four seconds and features a panoramic roof, interior lighting and heated seats. According to the DVLA, it was registered in February.
Earlier this week, Midlothian Council came under fire after several school buses failed to turn up to collect pupils on their first day back at school.
The incident provoked fury among parents, who were already angry and frustrated with the council over the recent transport changes.