I READ with interest three pieces of news regarding either West Sussex County Council or Mid Sussex District Council and am stunned by the decisions and excuses they have managed to come up with.

Firstly the Conservative controlled WSCC cut the budget for youth services by £2m ('Ruling Tories are accused of 'slash and burn' cuts after increasing own salaries', Courier and Observer, February 25) which must affect the ability of this service to function properly at a time when it is perhaps most needed.

I assume this was a 'class' decision on the basis all the rich people who support this party don't require these services as their children are all at private school and can rely on the family solicitor to get them of the hook'.

Secondly we have Conservative controlled MSDC now wanting to waste more tax payer's money on a review of parking provision for the next 10 years, when anyone with any common sense knows what we want ('Parking review in gear', Courier and Observer, February 25).

I can only assume these councillors are not only bankrupt in parking income, but bankrupt in any ideas too. They had no interest in listening to tax payers previously when they were told repeatedly the new machines were not wanted, they were difficult to use and the fees were too much, that much of the street restrictions are unnecessary and harm local business and their wardens are unhelpful.

So they put up prices and cut car park usage and income. The shop owners and shoppers then asked for a small concession over Christmas and the brains of MSDC wasted time and came up with totally unbelievable reasons to say 'no'.

I do not believe they have any real interest in finding out what the tax payer wants now, they will say 'we consulted the public' so whatever they do next it will be all our fault.

Thirdly, the same MSDC party probably has a shortfall of £588,000 and the only reason they can identify is the £14,000 they wasted on additional maintenance of brand new machines because not one of them could manage to read the terms and conditions of goods bought, so wasting a huge part of the warrantee.

Also how can brand new machines need £14,000 maintenance after such a short time when they were supposed to be such brilliant machines, worth every penny of our tax pound? How much are they going to cost when they get a little older?

All I can say is if these Conservative councillors are examples of what we can expect at national level after the next election – God help us.

I hope every motorist and retailer responds to this survey.

So if by some chance you have time to write comments – make sure you state a reduction in parking fees, plus a one to two hour free period and a revision of street parking restrictions.

If not write to the council and state what you want and tell them the survey did not allow you to give your views fairly and freely.

D Sharp

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