Hampshire councils £10m profit from parking fees (From Daily Echo)

Should think that 4 million of that would be through dopey motorists not having the correct change. Any way if you can afford a car you can afford to park it.

That must be a record !!! the Dave Echo repeats a story within 9 minutes !!! Why not just wait and get the story right in the first place ? Has minty got you on a bonus for how time the headline is "printed" ?

townieboy wrote:
Should think that 4 million of that would be through dopey motorists not having the correct change. Any way if you can afford a car you can afford to park it.

There's a down side to parking fees though. I refuse to take my car anywhere I would have to pay tp park it, so places like Southampton city centre lose out on any trade from me, and probably many others.

"raked in",
"bosses are making huge profits",
"hard-pressed motorists",
"cutting services",
"petrol prices sky high"
.
I think the Echo journalist is having an 0rgasm.
.
But seriously, is anyone actually shocked or frustrated by this incredible news? I should hope not. To add some context to this "cash cow" extravaganza, HCC budgeted over £75m for the repair and maintenance of roads, public transport and planning in 2012/13. So they've made a profit from parking charges? Good! I should hope so.

I should think 1.2million of which Southampton city councils profit comes from Southampton general!

Yep, those Town Hall bosses raking it in, that's the story.

What really happens is that the Council is obliged to provide a number of services such as education, social care, refuse collection, roads, parking, libraries etc and raises some money from council tax and is given some more in government grant. It is also allowed to raise some money in fees such as parking charges, rent and licensing.

Given that central government has massively cut the grant given to councils and made it impossible for them to raise council tax, then fees are the only other source of income.

The Echo is already condemning councils for closing or reducing services. Now it is criticising them for raising revenue to try to keep some sort of service going.

Parking charges are just part of the cost of owning a car, like petrol, road tax and insurance. If you don't want to pay them, use a bus or walk or cycle.

And Repcosy, the City Coucnil does not run the car park at the hospital and sees none of the income.

These are by no means outrageous profits that the respective councils are making, however, if this government wants a mobile and flexible workforce then they either need to significantly reduce the cost of public transport, or instruct local government to back off from seeing the car driver as a revenue stream. In semi rural locations like the New Forest car transport is often essential unless working locally as public transport is neither flexible or affordable enough to make it a viable option for commuting.

Inform Al wrote:

townieboy wrote:
Should think that 4 million of that would be through dopey motorists not having the correct change. Any way if you can afford a car you can afford to park it.

There's a down side to parking fees though. I refuse to take my car anywhere I would have to pay tp park it, so places like Southampton city centre lose out on any trade from me, and probably many others.

Don't think they really care as there appears to be many others that are willing to.....

Higginz wrote:
"raked in",
"bosses are making huge profits",
"hard-pressed motorists",
"cutting services",
"petrol prices sky high"
.
I think the Echo journalist is having an 0rgasm.
.
But seriously, is anyone actually shocked or frustrated by this incredible news? I should hope not. To add some context to this "cash cow" extravaganza, HCC budgeted over £75m for the repair and maintenance of roads, public transport and planning in 2012/13. So they've made a profit from parking charges? Good! I should hope so.

HCC maintain roads outside of Southampton and smuff, so any money SCC spends on roads isn't included in that total.
IF SCC spent wisely on road repairs, proper resurfacing instead of the cheap rubbishy top dressing, then peoples lives would be improved, ask any two wheeled road user, or Ambulance passenger!

Inform Al wrote:

townieboy wrote:
Should think that 4 million of that would be through dopey motorists not having the correct change. Any way if you can afford a car you can afford to park it.

There's a down side to parking fees though. I refuse to take my car anywhere I would have to pay tp park it, so places like Southampton city centre lose out on any trade from me, and probably many others.

Inform Al. That's the most sensible thing you've ever said.

Inform Al wrote:

townieboy wrote:
Should think that 4 million of that would be through dopey motorists not having the correct change. Any way if you can afford a car you can afford to park it.

There's a down side to parking fees though. I refuse to take my car anywhere I would have to pay tp park it, so places like Southampton city centre lose out on any trade from me, and probably many others.

Yes but if you are too tight to pay parking fees then I doubt the retailers and restaurant operators are missing out on much trade?

elvisimo wrote:

Inform Al wrote:

townieboy wrote:
Should think that 4 million of that would be through dopey motorists not having the correct change. Any way if you can afford a car you can afford to park it.

There's a down side to parking fees though. I refuse to take my car anywhere I would have to pay tp park it, so places like Southampton city centre lose out on any trade from me, and probably many others.

Yes but if you are too tight to pay parking fees then I doubt the retailers and restaurant operators are missing out on much trade?

I suspect the retailers with free parking, and those in Portswood where the car parking is free will disagree with you, after all no one can get by without spending money, in my case I prefer to spend it on me and mine.

Someone reported for me for calling the council colourful language, they were right - it's actually the people who work there that are

I don’t understand what all the fuss is about.

If we didn’t have car parking charges & restrictions our town & city centres would, with cars & vans parked any and everywhere, be a nightmare to drive, cycle or walk around and `in town` Retail Outlets would see their trade disappear because to get around town centres would become a dangerous, free for all.

If you want to drive into a city or town centre you will have to purchase a parking spot ( a lot cheaper on council land than on private land )and those who do not will be fined ( a lot less on council land than on private land ).

I live close to Boyatt Wood shopping centre in Eastleigh which has a free car park for Patrons of the shops, dentist & doctor surgery and, judging by the fact that during the weekday the car park is always full, these outlets & surgeries must be extremely busy, or could it be the fact that people have just found a free place to park their car without a care for the people who wish to use the car park for it’s designated reason.

It also maks me mad when people moan about car parking tickets. YOU PARKING IN THE WRONG PLACE AND/OR FOR TOO LONG - PAY THE FINE AND GET OVER IT.

Please Note; These comments do not apply to BMW Drivers & Cash Point Cripples.

Ford Prefect wrote:
Yep, those Town Hall bosses raking it in, that's the story.

What really happens is that the Council is obliged to provide a number of services such as education, social care, refuse collection, roads, parking, libraries etc and raises some money from council tax and is given some more in government grant. It is also allowed to raise some money in fees such as parking charges, rent and licensing.

Given that central government has massively cut the grant given to councils and made it impossible for them to raise council tax, then fees are the only other source of income.

The Echo is already condemning councils for closing or reducing services. Now it is criticising them for raising revenue to try to keep some sort of service going.

Parking charges are just part of the cost of owning a car, like petrol, road tax and insurance. If you don't want to pay them, use a bus or walk or cycle.

And Repcosy, the City Coucnil does not run the car park at the hospital and sees none of the income.

@Ford Prefect

Cheers... I was told that by partner the driver!!! Im just the passenger.... ill hang my head in shame now and stay out of this one!

repcosy wrote:

Ford Prefect wrote:
Yep, those Town Hall bosses raking it in, that's the story.

What really happens is that the Council is obliged to provide a number of services such as education, social care, refuse collection, roads, parking, libraries etc and raises some money from council tax and is given some more in government grant. It is also allowed to raise some money in fees such as parking charges, rent and licensing.

Given that central government has massively cut the grant given to councils and made it impossible for them to raise council tax, then fees are the only other source of income.

The Echo is already condemning councils for closing or reducing services. Now it is criticising them for raising revenue to try to keep some sort of service going.

Parking charges are just part of the cost of owning a car, like petrol, road tax and insurance. If you don't want to pay them, use a bus or walk or cycle.

And Repcosy, the City Coucnil does not run the car park at the hospital and sees none of the income.

@Ford Prefect

Cheers... I was told that by partner the driver!!! Im just the passenger.... ill hang my head in shame now and stay out of this one!

How many multi-story car parks do SSC own, none they all are in private hands which NCP owns most of them, SSC own a few free off road flat car parking and on the side road parking, and residents parking.
If SSC owned these multi car parks they to could be earning 10's of millions in £ each year.

Inform Al wrote:

townieboy wrote:
Should think that 4 million of that would be through dopey motorists not having the correct change. Any way if you can afford a car you can afford to park it.

There's a down side to parking fees though. I refuse to take my car anywhere I would have to pay tp park it, so places like Southampton city centre lose out on any trade from me, and probably many others.

Don't worry mate, you're not missing anything.

If I knew the parking profits were being directly channelled into services, building projects etc. then that's fine, but somehow I doubt it.

southy wrote:

repcosy wrote:

Ford Prefect wrote:
Yep, those Town Hall bosses raking it in, that's the story.

What really happens is that the Council is obliged to provide a number of services such as education, social care, refuse collection, roads, parking, libraries etc and raises some money from council tax and is given some more in government grant. It is also allowed to raise some money in fees such as parking charges, rent and licensing.

Given that central government has massively cut the grant given to councils and made it impossible for them to raise council tax, then fees are the only other source of income.

The Echo is already condemning councils for closing or reducing services. Now it is criticising them for raising revenue to try to keep some sort of service going.

Parking charges are just part of the cost of owning a car, like petrol, road tax and insurance. If you don't want to pay them, use a bus or walk or cycle.

And Repcosy, the City Coucnil does not run the car park at the hospital and sees none of the income.

@Ford Prefect

Cheers... I was told that by partner the driver!!! Im just the passenger.... ill hang my head in shame now and stay out of this one!

How many multi-story car parks do SSC own, none they all are in private hands which NCP owns most of them, SSC own a few free off road flat car parking and on the side road parking, and residents parking.
If SSC owned these multi car parks they to could be earning 10's of millions in £ each year.

I'd just like to know who SSC is ?

southy wrote:

repcosy wrote:

Ford Prefect wrote:
Yep, those Town Hall bosses raking it in, that's the story.

What really happens is that the Council is obliged to provide a number of services such as education, social care, refuse collection, roads, parking, libraries etc and raises some money from council tax and is given some more in government grant. It is also allowed to raise some money in fees such as parking charges, rent and licensing.

Given that central government has massively cut the grant given to councils and made it impossible for them to raise council tax, then fees are the only other source of income.

The Echo is already condemning councils for closing or reducing services. Now it is criticising them for raising revenue to try to keep some sort of service going.

Parking charges are just part of the cost of owning a car, like petrol, road tax and insurance. If you don't want to pay them, use a bus or walk or cycle.

And Repcosy, the City Coucnil does not run the car park at the hospital and sees none of the income.

@Ford Prefect

Cheers... I was told that by partner the driver!!! Im just the passenger.... ill hang my head in shame now and stay out of this one!

How many multi-story car parks do SSC own, none they all are in private hands which NCP owns most of them, SSC own a few free off road flat car parking and on the side road parking, and residents parking.
If SSC owned these multi car parks they to could be earning 10's of millions in £ each year.

.. wrong, wrong, wrong and wrong again.

I regularly pass by two SCC multi-story car parks - Bedford Place MSCP and Grosvenor Square MSCP.

Both are owned and operated by SCC (not SSC as you say).

If you go to the interactive map on the SCC website you will see there are also 3 more downtown - all SCC owned and operated.

Why do you continue to just mouth off without checking?

townieboy wrote:
Should think that 4 million of that would be through dopey motorists not having the correct change. Any way if you can afford a car you can afford to park it.

who can't afford a car??!?!!?

Any change of seeing a breakdown of where the money comes from, on street, off street or parking ticket fines?

repcosy wrote:
I should think 1.2million of which Southampton city councils profit comes from Southampton general!

Southampton general what?

freefinker wrote:

southy wrote:

repcosy wrote:

Ford Prefect wrote:
Yep, those Town Hall bosses raking it in, that's the story.

What really happens is that the Council is obliged to provide a number of services such as education, social care, refuse collection, roads, parking, libraries etc and raises some money from council tax and is given some more in government grant. It is also allowed to raise some money in fees such as parking charges, rent and licensing.

Given that central government has massively cut the grant given to councils and made it impossible for them to raise council tax, then fees are the only other source of income.

The Echo is already condemning councils for closing or reducing services. Now it is criticising them for raising revenue to try to keep some sort of service going.

Parking charges are just part of the cost of owning a car, like petrol, road tax and insurance. If you don't want to pay them, use a bus or walk or cycle.

And Repcosy, the City Coucnil does not run the car park at the hospital and sees none of the income.

@Ford Prefect

Cheers... I was told that by partner the driver!!! Im just the passenger.... ill hang my head in shame now and stay out of this one!

How many multi-story car parks do SSC own, none they all are in private hands which NCP owns most of them, SSC own a few free off road flat car parking and on the side road parking, and residents parking.
If SSC owned these multi car parks they to could be earning 10's of millions in £ each year.

.. wrong, wrong, wrong and wrong again.

I regularly pass by two SCC multi-story car parks - Bedford Place MSCP and Grosvenor Square MSCP.

Both are owned and operated by SCC (not SSC as you say).

If you go to the interactive map on the SCC website you will see there are also 3 more downtown - all SCC owned and operated.

Why do you continue to just mouth off without checking?

Asda Multi-Storey is Council owned, well it's got the Council Logo over all the pay machines ;-)

If I were to take my lil cherubs to town in the bus, it would cost anything up to a tenner to get there and back, possibility of my toddler throwing a few temper tantrums while we wait in the rain for a bus,then on the bus,id get the snidey looks and tutts, my middle son would want a wee, my eldest would be moaning that hes so hungry he's near to death, id be pulling my hair out.Or we could drive into town be done and dusted within the hour, toddler would be asleep and the parking charge would cost a quater of the bus fare and Id have alot less grey hair.

wilson castaway wrote:
If I were to take my lil cherubs to town in the bus, it would cost anything up to a tenner to get there and back, possibility of my toddler throwing a few temper tantrums while we wait in the rain for a bus,then on the bus,id get the snidey looks and tutts, my middle son would want a wee, my eldest would be moaning that hes so hungry he's near to death, id be pulling my hair out.Or we could drive into town be done and dusted within the hour, toddler would be asleep and the parking charge would cost a quater of the bus fare and Id have alot less grey hair.

Or you can do as I do and shop where it's free to park.

There is no better or cheaper alternative to the car. When there is I will use it.

freefinker wrote:

southy wrote:

repcosy wrote:

Ford Prefect wrote:
Yep, those Town Hall bosses raking it in, that's the story.

What really happens is that the Council is obliged to provide a number of services such as education, social care, refuse collection, roads, parking, libraries etc and raises some money from council tax and is given some more in government grant. It is also allowed to raise some money in fees such as parking charges, rent and licensing.

Given that central government has massively cut the grant given to councils and made it impossible for them to raise council tax, then fees are the only other source of income.

The Echo is already condemning councils for closing or reducing services. Now it is criticising them for raising revenue to try to keep some sort of service going.

Parking charges are just part of the cost of owning a car, like petrol, road tax and insurance. If you don't want to pay them, use a bus or walk or cycle.

And Repcosy, the City Coucnil does not run the car park at the hospital and sees none of the income.

@Ford Prefect

Cheers... I was told that by partner the driver!!! Im just the passenger.... ill hang my head in shame now and stay out of this one!

How many multi-story car parks do SSC own, none they all are in private hands which NCP owns most of them, SSC own a few free off road flat car parking and on the side road parking, and residents parking.
If SSC owned these multi car parks they to could be earning 10's of millions in £ each year.

.. wrong, wrong, wrong and wrong again.

I regularly pass by two SCC multi-story car parks - Bedford Place MSCP and Grosvenor Square MSCP.

Both are owned and operated by SCC (not SSC as you say).

If you go to the interactive map on the SCC website you will see there are also 3 more downtown - all SCC owned and operated.

Why do you continue to just mouth off without checking?

Why don't you recheck those car parks are not run by the Council they are privately run car parks, the land is owned by the council and recieves rents or leasing charges, just like the asda car park, NCP runs most of the MSCP in Southampton, but have to follow the city rules.
Bit like TNT and the Royal mail operation.

southy wrote:

freefinker wrote:

southy wrote:

repcosy wrote:

Ford Prefect wrote:
Yep, those Town Hall bosses raking it in, that's the story.

What really happens is that the Council is obliged to provide a number of services such as education, social care, refuse collection, roads, parking, libraries etc and raises some money from council tax and is given some more in government grant. It is also allowed to raise some money in fees such as parking charges, rent and licensing.

Given that central government has massively cut the grant given to councils and made it impossible for them to raise council tax, then fees are the only other source of income.

The Echo is already condemning councils for closing or reducing services. Now it is criticising them for raising revenue to try to keep some sort of service going.

Parking charges are just part of the cost of owning a car, like petrol, road tax and insurance. If you don't want to pay them, use a bus or walk or cycle.

And Repcosy, the City Coucnil does not run the car park at the hospital and sees none of the income.

@Ford Prefect

Cheers... I was told that by partner the driver!!! Im just the passenger.... ill hang my head in shame now and stay out of this one!

How many multi-story car parks do SSC own, none they all are in private hands which NCP owns most of them, SSC own a few free off road flat car parking and on the side road parking, and residents parking.
If SSC owned these multi car parks they to could be earning 10's of millions in £ each year.

.. wrong, wrong, wrong and wrong again.

I regularly pass by two SCC multi-story car parks - Bedford Place MSCP and Grosvenor Square MSCP.

Both are owned and operated by SCC (not SSC as you say).

If you go to the interactive map on the SCC website you will see there are also 3 more downtown - all SCC owned and operated.

Why do you continue to just mouth off without checking?

Why don't you recheck those car parks are not run by the Council they are privately run car parks, the land is owned by the council and recieves rents or leasing charges, just like the asda car park, NCP runs most of the MSCP in Southampton, but have to follow the city rules.
Bit like TNT and the Royal mail operation.

Asda Car Park shows on my Bank Statement as Southampton City Council, where do NCP fit in?

southy wrote:

freefinker wrote:

southy wrote:

repcosy wrote:

Ford Prefect wrote:
Yep, those Town Hall bosses raking it in, that's the story.

What really happens is that the Council is obliged to provide a number of services such as education, social care, refuse collection, roads, parking, libraries etc and raises some money from council tax and is given some more in government grant. It is also allowed to raise some money in fees such as parking charges, rent and licensing.

Given that central government has massively cut the grant given to councils and made it impossible for them to raise council tax, then fees are the only other source of income.

The Echo is already condemning councils for closing or reducing services. Now it is criticising them for raising revenue to try to keep some sort of service going.

Parking charges are just part of the cost of owning a car, like petrol, road tax and insurance. If you don't want to pay them, use a bus or walk or cycle.

And Repcosy, the City Coucnil does not run the car park at the hospital and sees none of the income.

@Ford Prefect

Cheers... I was told that by partner the driver!!! Im just the passenger.... ill hang my head in shame now and stay out of this one!

How many multi-story car parks do SSC own, none they all are in private hands which NCP owns most of them, SSC own a few free off road flat car parking and on the side road parking, and residents parking.
If SSC owned these multi car parks they to could be earning 10's of millions in £ each year.

.. wrong, wrong, wrong and wrong again.

I regularly pass by two SCC multi-story car parks - Bedford Place MSCP and Grosvenor Square MSCP.

Both are owned and operated by SCC (not SSC as you say).

If you go to the interactive map on the SCC website you will see there are also 3 more downtown - all SCC owned and operated.

Why do you continue to just mouth off without checking?

Why don't you recheck those car parks are not run by the Council they are privately run car parks, the land is owned by the council and recieves rents or leasing charges, just like the asda car park, NCP runs most of the MSCP in Southampton, but have to follow the city rules.
Bit like TNT and the Royal mail operation.

.. oh yes, rechecked as you said.

You're wrong, I'm right. Again.

Check for yourself (and note the words 'operated by Southampton City Council').

http://www.southampt
on.gov.uk/s-environm
ent/roadsandparking/
parking/ParkingMaps.
aspx

Have added this to my 2013 list of southy bloomers.

That's going to be one heck of a long list Freefinker!

wilson castaway wrote:
If I were to take my lil cherubs to town in the bus, it would cost anything up to a tenner to get there and back, possibility of my toddler throwing a few temper tantrums while we wait in the rain for a bus,then on the bus,id get the snidey looks and tutts, my middle son would want a wee, my eldest would be moaning that hes so hungry he's near to death, id be pulling my hair out.Or we could drive into town be done and dusted within the hour, toddler would be asleep and the parking charge would cost a quater of the bus fare and Id have alot less grey hair.

Great post!

chunky_lover wrote:

townieboy wrote: Should think that 4 million of that would be through dopey motorists not having the correct change. Any way if you can afford a car you can afford to park it.

who can't afford a car??!?!!?

People who can afford parking fees....

Ford Prefect wrote:
Yep, those Town Hall bosses raking it in, that's the story.

What really happens is that the Council is obliged to provide a number of services such as education, social care, refuse collection, roads, parking, libraries etc and raises some money from council tax and is given some more in government grant. It is also allowed to raise some money in fees such as parking charges, rent and licensing.

Given that central government has massively cut the grant given to councils and made it impossible for them to raise council tax, then fees are the only other source of income.

The Echo is already condemning councils for closing or reducing services. Now it is criticising them for raising revenue to try to keep some sort of service going.

Parking charges are just part of the cost of owning a car, like petrol, road tax and insurance. If you don't want to pay them, use a bus or walk or cycle.

And Repcosy, the City Coucnil does not run the car park at the hospital and sees none of the income.

Road tax????? what is this road tax thing you talk about?

IronLady2010 wrote:
That's going to be one heck of a long list Freefinker!

LOL, and Happy New Year IL2010