Are Local Authority and Town Councils stifling the economy with their greed?

Devon_Sailor

Some of the headline figures in this article are staggering, especially given all the politically motivated howls of protest over "cuts" to services whilst managers and executives pocket ever more in salary and bonusses.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2275882/They-squeal-cuts-truth-town-halls-spending--fleecing-you.html#axzz2KKhjAZDc

By reducing simple things like car parking charges, surely they would stimulate people returning to traditional high streets? By cutting the grotesque amount charged for permits and licenses they could put money back in our pockets to spend and re-lubricate the economy?

But no. Easier to rake it in and blame the Govt when you decide to close a library rather than a swathe of useless middle management doing non-jobs......

WHERE are the howls of protests from the Left? If this was a corporation or private company, they would be mobilising Occupy to firebomb their offices and burn effiges!

D_S

daveyjp

Another Mail rant-o-thon.

Devon_Sailor

Perhaps, but the figures and content are a valid point for discussion - especially as it relates to impact on the general economy, and the amount of money in your pocket.

I would argue that (a) it has more valid reason to be here as an appropriate article for discussion than some of the anti-Govt diatribe of late and (b) it is much less "ranty" than a lot of the absolute pump littered over this board by DecentLivingWage et al.

D_S

Wookster

I think there's a lot of truth in the article. Councils treat folks, especially drivers as cash cows. This is another example of a stealth tax killing the golden goose.

You wander when they'll learn......

Pennywise

Our town council have just raised the car park pricing again. Apparently, the income fell last year after they increased the prices, so they "have to" increase charges again to recoup the shortfall.

You really couldn't make it up, could you?

grizzly1911

Luckily our small town doesn't have car parking tax we vehemently fought against it and they have backed down for now.

There isn't enough to stop and shop for merely a drop in and move on place. It would have killed it but the auditors pull the council to pieces for not enforcing it. Madness.