Barnet Council finally respond, and the gloves come off

Update on the Legal Action

If you've been following our campaign, you will know that we have applied to the Court to set a cap on David Attfield's exposure to Barnet's legal costs in the event he loses. Barnet have finally put in their response to this application. Not surprisingly, they oppose there being any cap on their legal costs. In summary, Barnet's response is as follows (you may think some of their points to be a bit cheap):

1. The case only concerns "a limited number of residents of the Borough of Barnet" and, therefore, is not a case of broad importance. [We of course disagree. In any event, the case concerns everyone in Barnet: i.e it concerns the 90% of residents who are being subsidised and not just the 10% who are doing the subsidising]
   
2. David is simply opposed to the "extent of spending cuts in Barnet" and his claim is "purely political". His remedy should be the ballot box and not the court.

3. David's case "is solely based on his desire to avoid incurring extra financial expense to park outside his home".        

4. Barnet Council have instructed one of the country's leading QCs, James Goudie, despite the fact that they know that David will largely be conducting the action himself.

The court may now take a few weeks to decide whether to cap Banet's costs and, if so, at what level.   It is vital that we then have a big enough fighting fund to carry on with the action. Please, if you support our action, donate what you can now. You can use the Paypal link or send a cheque made payable to Barnet CPZ Action to xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx    

Barnet CPZ Action issues statement over council's false parking charge claim

Nick Walkley

Chief Executive

L B Barnet

North London Business Park

Oakleigh Road South

London N11 1NP

Monday 18 April 2011

Dear Mr Walkley

We were concerned to hear on the ITV London Tonight news (15 April) a statement in the name of Barnet Council saying that the increases in parking charges coming into force today are: "in line with other London boroughs".

This statement is false and we would like to ask you formally to ensure that any statements issued by the council are consistent with the facts. It is dishonest for the council to mislead residents by trying to justify the increases in parking charges with false statements.

The statement that Barnet's parking charges are 'in line' with other London boroughs is false whichever way you interpret. the facts. The percentage increase is higher than any other borough. The actual charges are higher than any outer London borough and any borough operating a flat-rate residents permit scheme. They are also higher than for most permits in the inner London boroughs, which offer graduated schemes based on environmental impact.

For instance even in Westminster, residents permits for cars with engines below 1200c are £83 compared with £100 in Barnet.  Residents permits for smaller engine cars are more expensive in Barnet than in Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea, Camden and Islington.

These councils operate price bands designed to influence the use of higher polluting vehicles, so that a Bentley is charged more than a Mini - Barnet is certainly not 'in line' with them and charges gas guzzlers the same as low emission vehicles.

We are formally asking you to arrange for a public statement to be issued by the council that confirms that the increases and parking permit charges in Barnet are not 'in line' with other London boroughs, and that gives the council's reasons for the increases being imposed today.  No proper explanation has been given to residents so far.

A price comparison chart showing parking charges in various London Boroughs can be viewed here.

Yours sincerely,
Philippa Worke Debbie Linron, Diane Johnson Ana Sanchez-Martin, Chris Price,
Peter Cox, Nigel Linton, Ray Bussell, Gez Sagar, David Attfield.

Ham and High latest to cover Barnet CPZ legal action

Thanks to the Ham and High for writing about our High Court legal action against Barnet Council. Click on the link below to read the full article:

http://www.hamhigh.co.uk/news/barnet_residents_launch_high_court_action_over_parking_permits_1_866815