Lib Dem Councillor Attacks Tories for "Complacency"

3.05.07pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 13th Oct 2006

Gail Bones, Lib Dem County Councillor for Headington and Marston, has attacked the arrogance of the Tory-led county administration in ignoring the voices of the residents of the city of Oxford yet again.

She said:

"The decision to charge for residents' parking was called in for reconsideration by the cabinet as it was felt that the 'issues raised by the residents were not adequately addressed.'

"Such issues as

"- the manifest unfairness of free city centre parking for visitors whilst charging residents.

"- the refusal of the cabinet to acknowledge the needs of the elderly or the housebound who will have family,carers and unofficial carers who will simply not be covered by the small allowance of free visitor permits.

"- it is laughable to expect tradespeople to only work in one zone per week. Take window cleaners for instance,what do they do if a customer is out and there is no-one to give them a permit? What about small,local businesses,where do their customers park?

"Despite strong representations from county councillors representing city divisions and the City Council Portfolio Holder for Transport,the Tories' complacency led them to approve the scheme. Thus ensuring that their total lack of representation at any electoral level within the city looks set to continue."