Since taking control of Southampton City Council last year Labour has wasted no time in showing their true colours. In their first budget they hiked up council tax to the maximum allowed while simultaneously cutting much valued council services.

In addition to their council tax increase, they introduced a £35 – £55 charge for garden waste collections despite securing a grant of over £8m from government to enhance the waste service.

Their latest tax on Southampton’s residents is parking charges. Firstly, they are introducing charges for existing Resident’s Parking Schemes. This charge of £30 per year is the equivalent of a further 2 or 3% increase on council tax. Only a fool could not see that Labour are using these extra charges as an attempt to get round the government’s cap on council tax increases.

Secondly, Labour is cynically and in my opinion, foolishly introducing nighttime parking charges in our city centre for the first time.