I am sure you have. I found myself angry when I saw a notice in the local paper that the council (Wyre Forest DC) was increasing the car park charges in my local area. Wyre Forest Carpark Charges Increases Table
So I decided to write a letter to the local paper, see below. They actually ran the story on their website on the 17th September, but published the letter in the paper on the 27th September.
Please sign the petition now:
https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/stop-carpark-charge-increase-in-wyre-forest
I also reviewed their financial strategy document and noticed their strategy for increasing car park charges. Note that car parks are deemed as low risk and high impact in their risk matrix shown in this document. It also shows that the increase in car park charges will deliver an extra £35k in 2012/13 and £70k in 2013/14.
Also have a look at their Wyre Forest Forward document and note the council's aims. It is commendable especially the statement "help me with my financial situation". Obviously someone forgot to look at this chart when increasing the car park charges.
Wyre Forest DC - Financial Strategy 2012:15 | Carparking Extracts Summary
I had requested under the 'freedom of information act', the actual financial data on the income and expenditure for the car parks and was astounded on how much money they actually make from the car parks.
£1,000,000 from car parks alone and a total of 1,400,000 of income, delivering £500,000 of profit for the council.
Click the link below to read the data for yourself.
Wyre Forest DC | Carparks Income and costs 2009 to 2012 - Oct 16th 2012
Please sign the petition now:
https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/stop-carpark-charge-increase-in-wyre-forest
Thank you for your support to get these increases overturned.
Michael