Councils must resist parking 'tax' temptation
17 Aug 2010
Councils must resist the temptation to use on-street parking charges as a way of raising money simply to balance their books.
Local authorities who regard the fees as a form of 'back door' taxation leave themselves open to legal challenge.
According to Dr Chris Elliott - who has carried out a review of the legislation as it applies to on-street parking - there is only one reason why parking fees and restrictions can be introduced, and that is to 'prevent or relieve congestion'.
Dr Elliott, a barrister, said there are also very strict rules about how councils can spend any surplus money over and above that needed to meet administration costs.