I Don't Live In Lewes Anymore
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The Winners and Losers - 2007/06/08 10:01
Sozs...
The below email was sent to employees of that much loved "Quango on the Hill" AKA ESCC.
After I read it I experienced a heady combination of anger and disappointment.
Titled
Parking Charges at County Hall
And sent by
Bob Wilkins, Director of Transport and Environment
It reads thus...
There has been a rather prolonged correspondence on the intranet’s ‘Exchange and Mart’ section concerning parking charges at County Hall and I would like to clarify the situation.
Last month, the Lead Member for Transport and Environment approved a report recommending increases to some permit and pay and display charges in Lewes in order to offset the additional costs incurred as a result of a criminal campaign of vandalism to parking machines throughout Lewes.
While the report focussed on on-street parking, it also indicated what equivalent increases might be introduced at County Hall.
However, the Chief Officers Management Team (COMT) does not plan to increase charges at County Hall for the foreseeable future and would only do so following consultation with staff.
The imminent changes that are most likely to affect staff working at County Hall are charges for all day parking in some of the roads around County Hall. These will increase from £1.20 to £1.50.
Free parking is still available on-street within a 10 minute walk of County Hall.
For those staff for whom bus travel is an option, half price fares to and from County Hall are available.
The discount is being funded from the surplus from ticket machines in car parks at County Hall, which has always been ring-fenced to support staff travel incentives.
All you have to do is show your County Hall pass at the security desk and you can buy a weekly (£7.25) or monthly (£24.50) saver ticket for travel between Tunbridge Wells and Brighton (services 28 and 29). For more local journeys and Rider services you should show your pass to the driver and ask for a child’s fare.
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So...
There we have it.
ESCC employees make a fuss on their Exchange & Mart intra net and the powers that be take heed and act (Looking after their own?).
The status quo complains, are ignored then punished.
It really does stink doesn't it?
Prices are increased for the residents to compensate for the "criminal campaign of vandalism"... but not for ESCC employees.
Does this mean that they are in no way responsible for the aforementioned criminal actions?
If so how does he know?
Clairvoyant maybe?
Desperate to appease staff?
Out of touch with reality and public feeling?
Either way, he states that there are "no plans to increase charges at County Hall for the foreseeable future".
... and even goes on to say "and would only do so following consultation with staff".
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm... Well that's all ok then.
Then there's this cosy cheapo bus pass business...
"For those staff for whom bus travel is an option, half price fares to and from County Hall are available."
That's quite a perk don't you think?
"The discount is being funded from the surplus from ticket machines in car parks at County Hall, which has always been ring-fenced to support staff travel incentives."
Well well... that is a very generous gesture... but in the wake of the current parking scheme climate is it a correct one?
Just the other day I had to put money into one of those meters at County Hall (ok one of those sneaky buggers in blue was watching)... nice to know I unwittingly contributed to an inhouse cheapo bus pass scheme.
Given a choice I would have preferred that my "donation" was used to off set the overall loss of the parking scheme rather than be used to fund the favoured few.
How Oh how is this "surplus from ticket machines in car parks at County Hall" calculated?
I think us of the "status quo" need to know...
Opinions invited.
Regards,
PhilX
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