Counting the cost of car

He then tries to justify the wholly unjustifiable fact that they agreed, what is probably, the single worst contract ever for the economy of Worthing.

True, our multi-storey car parks needed investment as they were in poor repair, but instead of borrowing money under the prudential code '“ which is a beneficial loan system for local authorities '“ they decided to "give" the car parks to NCP for 10 years in return for NCP investing the cash and carrying out the required maintenance.

Indeed, they didn't even investigate the potential for borrowing the necessary capital.

That in itself was not a bad idea, but to grant a 10-year licence with absolutely no control or negotiating rights over pricing was unforgivable.

He goes on to say: "The council would not have made large sums of money from the car park income, so keeping council tax lower that would otherwise have been the case."

Excuse me, John, NCP is not a charity, it has invested money, which the council could have borrowed and retained control, NCP then requires a profit and after that it pays some cash to the council!

Consider this. Had the Liberal administration borrowed the money, at a low rate of interest, it would have had to repay the loan out of car park income, then all additional revenue would have helped to keep council tax lower, which means that the council taxpayer would have the benefit of retaining what is now NCP's profit.

Now, that sounds like a better deal for the town.

We would then have control of the charges of what is effectively one of the most vital elements of the Worthing economy.

Clive B. Roberts

cabinet member for clean, green environment,

Town Hall

Worthing

NOTE: All letters must include a name and address which can be withheld by request.

Write in to Readers' Letters, Worthing Herald series, Cannon House, Chatsworth Road, Worthing, BN11 1NA, or email the Herald.

-------------------------------------

Click here for more readers' letters.

Where are you? Add your pin to the Herald's international readers' map by clicking here.

Email the Herald: [email protected]

Click here for the Herald staff directory.

Want to read this page in French, German, Spanish, Polish, Portuguese, Urdu or 48 other languages? click here for Google translate.