I WAS interested to read the word “savings” in the headline on the article on car park charges in Richmondshire (D&S Times, Oct 28).
To make these savings, Richmondshire District Council will be voting to raise car park charges by 50 per cent to meet its demand for additional income in 2017- 18 and 2018-19 so that it can meet its “efficiency” plan.
I fail to see who is going to “save”.
The car park users will be paying 50 per cent more from 2017 and the council won’t be saving anything.
Furthermore, how can the council justify increasing other charges by four per cent wherever possible in light of the current inflation levels? It would be good if savers could demand rates of four per cent!
The council has a £1.7m reserve – what is this for?
What will encourage the council to spend it? What interest is it earning? Or has it even been invested – if it is not being spent, the money should at least be earning a return for the council tax payers.
H Mayfield, Bishopdale
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