“I see the ward wih the highest unemployment is Glascote, I wonder if Glascote's independant cllr's fight against fluoride will get them back in work and make Glascote the best ward in Tamworth?”

“there was free parking for all for a whole week in Tamworth in December and nobody used the car park”

“Cllr. Chris. I simply asked what the justification was for free parking for some and not others. I actually think tht we all should have free parking ( at least those taxpayers funding such). but if not that, at least all those employed in the town.”

“It is not difficult to see which councillors have their town and their constituents at heart. On the one hand we have the flippant remarks of the party politicians who seem to be taking the mickey out of their constituents, and the likes of Councillor Chris Cooke who as far as I can see is worth any number of party faithfulls.”

“weskiwi - I gave the open and honest answer. But if it's justification you want - I have to say I can't justify it. It's not my policy. Before I become a councillor, living out in the sticks of Stonydelph, I very rarely came into the town and I have NEVER used the town's car parks since they first put charges on car parking. I would be fibbing if I said I've never, ever used the Council's car parking for personal stuff - but very rarely and then just a quick jog to the bank or whatever and back. By far my main use is for council meetings which usually start at 6.00pm - a time when car parking becomes free in the town anyway. Obviously I can't speak for other Councillors or council employees.”

“Cllr Chris Cooke. Oh it was many years ago that i asked that question, and as per usual did not merit a reply. Now thaqt you have provided one, may I ask the justification for free parking for certain elements and not others?”

“(Weskiwi said) - I did say that enough has been said on car parking fees, but I will ask once again. *Are there ANY free parking facilities for any council employees?".

Weskiwi - I can tell you that I and all other councillors get free car parking under the council Marmion House offices. As far as I am aware the majority of council officers also get free parking facilities, with either the under the council car park or on shared resident parking spaces by the high rise flats. Although those by the high rise flats also have to show parking permits. Some of these employees have been fined for failing to properly display or other infringments of the parking orders! Other council employees park on roads around the Leys as near to the council offices as they can get.

I don't know who you asked previously, but is this a full enough answer to your question?”

“I wonder just how much jojo9999 and the James Bond stand in, really remember about Tamworth 40 years ago; I mean they would really have to be 60,60+ to be in a position to see things through an adults eyes. Other than that, it would either have to be a childs misty eye knowledge, or a predujiced one.
I will not pose the * how old * question, simply because I would expect some weird reply, much like, some weeks ago a certain * jojo9999* asking me if I was afraid to publish my name.
The parking situation is well down the road, so I will not add much to that discussion other than to say, that it is simply a greed factor, assisting the high life style of local beaurocrats.
So, we had half day closing on Wednesdays, no Ankerside, ( and unless one is from another planet we DID have a Middle Entry). the town centre was not DOMINATED by the Co-op, which, by the way provided a good service to the townspeople, along with other GREAT shops.
What is misguided about making statements about half day closing etc, is simply a factor in some form of discipline, or way of life, today, there is far too much of open when you feel like it, for as long as you like, and ok if that is the order of the day we have to come to terms with it, so long 007 that you do not forget that there are very high numbers of people that can discipline themselves as to when they shop, or what sort of entertainment suits them. One size does not fit all.
I think that in a discussion such as this, one word has not been used, but it is highly significant, and that word is * Nostalgia*. Friends of mine that came from Birmingham in the early 70's, regret very much the events that have overtaken their outlook on the town that they came to then, and what it has turned to now. I go back much further than that, and my heart bleeds at what I see as the destruction ( still ongoing) of this once wonderful market town.
OscarOne Three, earlier makes the point of justifying their existence by going back to a less buroucratic and fairer system; in an ideal world that would be great, except for the fact that, with one ot two minor exceptions, they are all caught up in this rat race; this, we must be part of the psuedo democracy.
There are no tory's, no labour on TBC, just a amalgam of wealth and publicity seekers; as representatives of the public ( never mind the oppressed taxpayers), they are waste paper.
I did say that enough has been said on car parking fees, but I will ask once again. *Are there ANY free parking facilities for any council employees?”

“I remember Tamworth 40 years ago and I'll have Tamworth today any day and twice on Sunday”

“Councillor James:

So that's what you think of Tamworth!

You miss the point. We were not charged for parking forty years ago. The town was properly policed forty years ago. That was the point I was making. I worked in the town centre forty years ago, and spent my leisure time there too. I always found it most hospitable, but I expect now, in the age of the twittering politician's nothing satisfies. I do wish politicians would listen instead of attacking every point that is suggested. It would be nice to be a fly on the wall at Marmion House. What would I see?”