When is a promise not a promise?

I was astounded to receive notification of the proposed 20 per cent increases in charges to residents for parking in controlled parking zones in Oxford.

The saga of these charges and their unpopularity goes back several years. One of the strong objections put forward by Oxford residents was that once the system was embedded, the Conservative-led county council would be free to increase charges as it saw fit.

At that time an assurance was given that increases would only be in line with RPI inflation. This was put in writing and repeated at public meetings. For example, in cabinet report 19 on September 2006 (page 29), in response to an objection by residents that “the £40 charge will quickly be increased to a much higher figure”, the council officer comment is “the Draft Traffic Order limits increases in the charge to an adjustment once every three years based on inflation over this period”.

Similarly, Proposed Charges for Residents’ and Visitors’ Parking Permits: Consultation Information (June 2006), says: “The charges will be kept the same for three-year periods. After each three-year period the charges would be adjusted for inflation using the Retail Price Index.”

There is no mention of slapping on a hefty increased charge. This does raise the spectre of untrustworthiness that must, justifiably, be levelled at the Conservative-led council. John Sanders, County Labour Spokesman on Transport, County Hall, Oxford