Barnet Council - Getting it wrong on Parking

What on earth is up with Barnet Council? Why can't they just admit they got it completely wrong and sort it out? I am referring to the issues surrounding the enormous stealth taxes which the parking revenues have become. Earlier this month, Brian Coleman lost his seat at the GLA as a direct response of his hugely unpopular policies. Recognising that these policies and Colemans unpopularity could cost them the council, Barnet Tories moved swiftly to sack him from the cabinet and replace him with Dean Cohen who reportedly comes from the sensible wing of the Barnet Tory party.

Cohen has moved quickly to announce a review, scrapping parking charges in some of the Boroughs car parks and promising a look at how the effects of other charges can be mitigated. Sadly none of the measures Dean Cohen has proposed address the three issues which have got Barnet traders and residents hot under the collar. The first of these is the abolition of pay and display machines on the High Streets. The second is the huge hike in parking charges and the third is the huge hike in charges for CPZ permits.

Sadly for everyone failing to address these issues shows that at a basic level, they just don't get it. Abolishing charges at a few council car parks does not address the issue that shops get no passing trade, because motorists who haven't registered, don't have time or the inclination to go through the process if they just want to buy a paper or a packet of cigarettes. It doesn't address the fact that a motorist, even if they have registered, will not pay £2 to park for an hour, whilst they have a cup of tea costing £1.30 at a High Street Cafe. Worst of all, it doesn't address the huge cost of visitors vouchers for people living in CPZ areas. These have gone up from 35p to £4 in ten years. If they had followed the rate of inflation for the same period they would be less than 50p. We have had ten years of Conservative rule in Barnet. They promised us that they would "make the council more effiecient". If this is the case, why does it now cost us more than ten times what it did before, when we visit friends who live in CPZ areas? Surely if they had, as they claimed, made the council more efficient, then costs would have actually decreased.

Sadly though, the idea of efficiency is a myth. We are paying through the nose for fat cat bosses at Barnet.  When the Tories took over, the CEO was Leo Boland on a salary of £114,000 a year. Not a bad package you may think. When he left, he was replaced by his understudy, Nick Walkley. The council used the excuse that they needed to pay top dollar to recruit the best staff. How they can justify a salary of £200,000 a year to attract Walkley who already worked for them, I just don't know.

It is interesting that the difference between Bolands package and Walkleys package is £86,000. Rather oddly, this is more or less exactly the difference in costs claimed by Robert Rams between the running costs of the newly opened Arts Depot mini library and the recently closed Friern Barnet library. It seems that the library has had to be shut to pay for Walkleys pay hike.

The real reason that all of these charges have been raised and the librarys have been shut is because the council wants to freeze council tax and pay hefty wages to top executives. They have also hiked many of the allowances for councillors.

The Barnet Bloggers suggested that senior executives on over £100,000 per year (apparently there were 47 of them last year) and Barnet Councillors take a pay cut. Strangely enough this council, which claims a commitment to driving down costs, hasn't even replied to these suggestions. Why could that be?

Parking in Barnet Special - Read this if you are against the changes

If you are a Barnet resident and you are not happy about the changes to parking arrangements, be it the abolition of Pay and Display, the massive hike in CPZ charges, the hike in high street parking costs (scratchcards cost £2 minimum, pay by phone costs £1), the time has come to make your feelings known.

The changes are being driven by one man, Councillor Brian Coleman, who is the cabinet member for parking (otherwise known as the Borough Parking Supremo). Next year, Brian Coleman stands for election to the GLA. If he gets re-elected, he keeps his £50,000 a year allowance for a part time "non job". The sole role of the GLA is to keep an eye on Mayor Boris Johnson and make sure he does his job. The GLA has no power other than to advise the mayor. Whilst Boris may like to have a few friendly faces on the committee, the presence of Coleman on that committee will actually make no difference to him whatsoever.

So if you are a Tory who is heartily sick of Brian Coleman, but thinks Boris Johnson is doing a marvellous job, then you can send a message to the Barnet Conservative Party, loud and clear as to what you think of Mr Coleman and his parking charges. For each area (Coleman stands in Barnet and Camden) the Tories will know how many people voted for Boris and didn't vote for Coleman. The election is next May. I suspect that a massive boycott of Brian Coleman will be the most powerful message that the ordinary residents of Barnet could possibly send. If Barnet Council won't listen to the residents when we make a reasonable case, the time has come to turf them out on their backside.

Barnet Eye News Round up

Greetings, greetings to one and all. Great news, last night I took a phone call from Brian Coleman and he offered me a non job at Barnet Council paying £150,000 a year, if I agreed to only say nice things about him between now and the GLA election and then told me it would go up to £200,000 a year if I said Andrew Dismore smells of poo. Then I woke up and found it was all a horrible dream, caused by eating too much cheese and drinking too much red wine. So no £200,000 a year, no comfy non job, and no compromising of my principles. Ain't life a bitch, guess I'll just have to keep knocking out them blogs then.

So why you may wonder, was the issue of Brian Coleman & the GLA elections troubling me. I've been hacking through the backlog of emails from my holidays and I found this, which was revealed as part of an FOI response. It is an email sent by Brian Coleman, in response to a resident asking about the Obscene increases in CPZ charges (click on the images for a more readable version).

As you can see, Councillor Brian Coleman responds to a perfectly reasonable query about the Obscene raise in CPZ parking charges, by ridiculing his constituents use of the word Obscene, in relation to the price hike. Now if like me (yup, I live in a CPZ) you are subjected to this huge hike in prices and you are lumbered with it, you'd probably think it was "Obscene". However, if like Brian Coleman, you receive a free parking permit, because you are a Councillor, you probably wouldn't have a clue what the poor chap was on about. Or mayby, like Coleman, you wouldn't give a shit, because you are alright jack.

And why was I think of Andrew Dismore? Well yesterday the Labour Party were out in force in Mill Hill Broadway. A brief conversation with one of the campaigners in an Andrew Dismore T-shirt revealed that they were getting a rather good response. What were the topics people were interested in? Nationally, protecting the NHS. Locally - I was told that many local people have been impressed with Andrew Dismore's stance on the proposed Free School in Daws Lane. People have also woken up to the fact that Coleman is MR CPZ rise. They are also none too impressed with his sneaky attempt to abolish Pay and Display. At the last GLA elections, Nicky Gavron (the Labour candidate) was invisible in Barnet. Andrew Dismore is anything but invisible. I suspect that Brian Coleman may well be £53,439 out of pocket come May next year.

What else has been going on. Well there is yet another great new Barnet website, protesting at the stupidty of Barnet Council. As ever we are more than happy to give them a plug. Please check out the Daily Friern, the new site for the Friern Barnet Library campaign - http://paper.li/friernblibrary/1308604551 - at this blog we always give new bloggers in Barnet a plug. There are plenty of other great blogs in the sidebar. If you haven't checked them out, please have a nose around.

On the subject of Barnet Council & the industrial action, there is a great article by Kate Belgrave - http://www.katebelgrave.com/2011/09/barnet-strikes/ - Kate is a freelance investigative journalist who is a passionate supporter of the underrepresented in society. Well worth a read.

For all Barnet Eye readers who are Hogwarts and about to return for the new term, Network rail have moved the Hogwarts platform at Kings Cross - 9 3/4.

You can find details of it's new home at the Londonist - http://londonist.com/2011/09/hogwarts-pupils-confounded-by-moving-platform-at-kings-cross.php - I hope this helps the young wizards of Barnet to get  to school on time.

And on to this :-

I was shocked to see this picture on the First Capital Connect website. For a second, I thought it was the new uniforms for their revenue protection officers (Ticket inspectors in plain English). Happily for those of us partial to bunking the fair (an activity the Barnet Eye would never condone), it isn't . The chaps in the picture are part of the celebrations surrounding the naming of a First Capital Connect train as "Elstree Studios" - Full story here - http://www.firstcapitalconnect.co.uk/about-us/media-centre/news/2011/full-steam-ahead-elstree-film-studios-and-film-capital-connect/ - Maybe Councillor Brian Coleman would like to collaborate with the Barnet Eye and First Capital Connect and get a train named "Mill Hill Music Complex". This could celebrate some of the fine international artists such as Amy Winehouse and Kate Nash, who started their musical career rehearsing in Mill Hill. The offer is there.

Anyway, enjoy your Sunday. I'm off down to Iceland to get a pot noodle for lunch. Having spent all of my cash (and some) on our family holiday, that's all we can afford. That £200,000 a year would have come in mightily handy this month !!!!

Barnet CPZ Special - Brian Coleman is Barnet's very own Gordon Brown

I am truly shocked by the latest revelations concerning the battle between Barnet residents and the Council, who are seeking to impose massive new stealth taxes in the form of a CPZ parking fee hike. Local Conservatives have over the years tried to tell me that Brian Coleman is a "true Tory". Sadly this lie has been exposed as he's the bloke who is championing this HUGE STEALTH TAX INCREASE. The Tories used to mock Gordon Brown for his "addiction to stealth taxes" which he hiked in an attempt to keep down income tax. Well Brian Coleman is quite clearly Barnet Councils very own Gordon Brown. 10% of the population use CPZ parking permits  - Not the richest 10% who have drives and don't need one, just the middle 10% who own smallish homes, with no room for a drive. Typically the type of people who are struggling to get on.

As if clobbering this unfortunate section of the population wasn't bad enough, Barnet Council has now launched a dirty war against them, for having the audacity to complain. The protestors, lead by David Attfield have asked for a judicial review. Barnet Council have responded with bully boy tactics. They have hired a top QC and their defence tactics state the following :-

1. The case only concerns "a limited number of residents of the Borough of Barnet" and, therefore, is not a case of broad importance.
    
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".         


Regarding the first point. Given the widespread support for David Attfields campaign and the fact that the changes affect 100% of the residents of Barnet (those that don't pay CPZ fees being subsidised by those that do), the first point is plainly a bare faced porkie.

As to the second point. Davids campaign has nothing to do with cuts. It is all about the cost of parking. Surely Barnet Councils defence defies all logic or sense. If David was solely concerned with cuts, he'd be pleased to see extra revenue raised from increased CPZ fees. It is clearly a slur, to try and portray David Attfield as something he isn't.

The third point is also clearly an attempt to besmirch David Attfield. His campaign has received widespread support. Many Conservative Councillors have expressed disquiet at the plan, not least Deputy Council Leader Andrew Harper (see this leaked email on the Future Shape blog)

http://barnetfutureshape.blogspot.com/2011/02/brian-coleman-is-horrified-that-parking.html

In fact the email comprehensively destroys all three of the points Barnet Council are using in their defence. Council Brian "Gordon Brown" Coleman, knows this. The officers know this. Presumably the QC knows this. I hope the Judge reads this email and sends Barnet and their expensive QC (paid for by you, me and Mr Attfield) packing.

It never ceases to amaze me, just how low Barnet Council is sinking. First Brian Coleman launches a campaign of Brownesque daylight robbery, in the form of Stealth Taxes and then the Council go to war with law abiding residents. It really makes me sick.

Read the full story here, I'm off to throw up -
http://barnetcpz.blogspot.com/2011/05/barnet-council-finally-respond-and.html

I have one message for Brian "Gordon Brown" Coleman - Your number is up mate. You have been exposed. You are a typical slimy toad of a politician, who will clobber anyone for taxes, if you think you can get away with it.

Brian Coleman Barnet Parking Special : The Peasants are Revolting !

There are many things which I could have blogged about regarding the Council meeting last night. I wish I'd filmed the whole sorry episode for posterity. I've been to rowdy public meetings, I've seen politicians given the bird before. I've seen members of the public insult elected officials. I've seen bolshie lefties get upitty with twatty Tories. Last night though, I saw something new. Last night I saw a Conservative Council insulting Middle England. I expect them to be rude to me (actually they're not, I suspect they are too scared). I expect them to be rude to VickiM (who is a known trades unionist). What I really didn't expect was the sheer boorish behaviour with which they treated the general public of Barnet.

I sat next to Dr Deborah Linton and her husband Nigel Linton as we awaited our turn to ask a question. I've never met the Lintons before, but they struck me as very nice, decent people, who were genuinely concerned about the massive cost increase that the parking charges will bring. Dr Linton approached the issue by being perfectly reasonable and explaining the massive increase in cost for her, due to the system. As Dr Linton tried to make her point, Council Leader Lynne Hillan butted in, purely to throw her off her stride and asked her if she actually had a question. Dr Linton continued, Hillan butted in again and told her to "get on with it". Dr Linton got her question out (all credit to her), and Brian Coleman summiraly dismissed her as if he was talking about something stuck on his shoe. Dr Linton walked back, looking visibly upset. Her husband (who had clearly been riled by his wifes treatment), tried again, he was civil and reasonable. He needn't have bothered. Coleman again spoke to him as if he'd escaped from Broadmoor.

My question was next. I had  a completely different supplimentary question lined up. Having seen the way that the Lintons and a whole stack of other residents had been summiraly humiliated (and at this point I must stress that the audience stood four square with the public speakers - heckling as if their lives depended on it), I decided to give them a taste of their own medicine. Unlike many people, I'm used to public speaking. I had a successful career in acting from the age of four, until my mother developed Cancer in the 1970's, in 1978 I formed a Punk Rock band and we've played all over Europe, in some "highly charged" atmospheres. A bear pit is my natural domain, and if people are going to be rude, then so am I. The punchline of my question was "Are the cabinet stupid or do they think the public of Barnet are". As the words came out, a huge cheer went up. The cheer wasn't for me, it was  because someone had given Hillan, Coleman and Co a taste of their own medicine and everyone saw they didn't like it. Hillan floundered and said "I don't think the people around this table are stupid". In other words, the people of Barnet are. Hillan admitted what we all knew. She has nothing but disdain for everyone apart from her Tory cabinet buddies.

There were a couple more questions, then Mr David Attfield, a Lawyer who is leading the campaign against the parking charge rises. Again Mr Attfield is clearly used to speaking in public. He'd seen the crass (and very innaccurate) responses Brian Coleman had given the Lintons. He was prepared and he was up for it. He made the point that Brian Coleman had lied to the Lintons in a public forum and he had a copy of an email Coleman had sent (one I'd handily put on The Barnet Leaks website). Coleman had claimed that 10% of people in Barnet were affected by the CPZ changes. Mr Attfield quoted back Colemans words from his own email, which admitted only 3% were affected. Why is this important? Because that 3% have been tucked up for the cost of the road maintenance program and pothole repairs. As Mr Attfield destroyed every last ounce of Colemans credibility, I realised that Coleman had been done up like a kipper.

The Lintons had softened him up and given Coleman enough rope to hang himself. He duly obliged and Mr Attfield had stepped forward as the hangman. I didn't realise what a great job Mr Attfield had done until I read tonights Evening Standard :-


http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23923380-huge-rise-in-parking-fees-sparks-legal-fight.do

It says in the article that "around 40 people are contributing to the costs of a legal challenge". Make that 41. If Mr Attfield contacts me, I'll certainly chip and I'll use this blog to get all of my readers to chip in as well. Brian Coleman has been caught out telling Porkies. Mr Attfield proved this. In the answer to Mr Linton he said "10% of all Barnet Households have a parking permit". In his email to Harper he said "

There are about 10,000 residents Permits in circulation in Barnet roughly 7,000 of our approx 200,000 household
That is 3.5%. Is it OK for the Council to lie to residents? One thing is clear, when Coleman is called to court to give his side of the argument, he will have no credibility, having been shown up for what he is. Brian Coleman said "I've rarely met such rude members of the Public" during one outburst. Prey tell me Brian, how do you expect members of the public to react when you mug them for hundreds of pounds and then lie about it? Brian Coleman thinks that "The peasants of Barnet are revolting". I must say he's wrong. It isn't just the peasants, it's the whole community. This petition now has over 4,000 signatures. If you live in a CPZ area and you use permits, it is vital that you sign this petition ASAP. The time has come to stop these unfair charges and stop the likes of Coleman from shafting the people of Barnet.

There is a report in the Hendon Times detailing how the Cabinet adjourned for half an hour due to the heckling -

http://www.times-series.co.uk/news/8853410.Councillors_flee_meeting_due_to_public_outrage/

May I point out to the rude, boorish Councillors such as Hillan, Coleman and Harper that if they treated the public with a modicum of respect, they might get some back.