Mayor of Sunderland coming under pressure to sell 10k number plate
The Mayor of Sunderland is coming under increasing pressure to sell her £10,000 personalised registration on her chauffeur-driven Mercedes.
The number plate OGR 1 has been owned by the city council since the 1930's and tradition has seen it regularly attached to the mayoral car.
Wearside Tories have urged the city council to sell the number plate amid a time of financial turbulence and government cuts.
Councillor Robert Oliver, the group's leader, has had the >private registration valued at £10,000.
“Three letters and the number 1 is one of the most valuable cherished number plates,” explained a number plate valuation expert.
“Which would be desirable to someone with those initials.
“Many councils mayoral cars have personalised registration plates, but really, do we need them?
“If they’re worth anything, they should be sold and the money used for something else.
“Councils should be leaving no stone unturned when looking for savings.”
The registration has no particular meaning, but should be retained by the council, according to Councillor Mel Speding.
“This registration plate - OGR 1 - is a unique piece of Sunderland’s history as one of the first number plates to be issued here and it might date back to the 1930s," revealed Coun. Speding.
“It’s a source of great civic pride as it reflects the office of the first citizen of Sunderland.
“Given this, and I understand the Mayor of Newcastle has a similar style of plate, I think most people would want to see and know that this part of our history and heritage stays with us.”
Whichever course of action the council chooses to take, opinions look set to remain divided down the middle.
If you'd love a personalised registration that really says something about you, just contact the number plate experts at National Numbers, on 01642 363738.
