Several things spring to mind from comments made. First the cabinet member for parking made the statement that the reason for moving to cashless parking - was because of 'rampant vandalism' of parking machines. An FOI submitted has stated that Hounslow council does not have any such information, odd that. On the wider issues, many of the technology driven 'services' - self service tills, ticket machines etc. are not done for the customer's benefit they are done to make more profit and cost people their jobs. As has been noted in today's 'i', the ticket office debacle in particular show how 'we as people are being disrespected, disregarded and generally taken for fools by the Rail Delivery Network'. All this bluff and bluster about freeing up staff means 'more face to face support available across the network', the response made is 'Do us a favour'. The unions know, as does any sensible person, this is a plan to reduce staff. This is the comment that really struck me - and it can be applied in most of the instances where people are being replaced by machines 'another dispiriting example of how formerly nationalised industries, now under private control, are being run primarily for their own interests rather than for the public good'. I believe that this business of cashless parking is nothing to do with vandalism - it is all about saving money, but the council bleats constantly about equality, engagement, diversity, and they can't have it both ways for people who do not have a smart 'phone or simply do not want to get one this is discrimination pure and simple, similarly all the council forms being online, it doesn't work for a good number of people, but they too pay council tax for local services. We elect councillors to represent US, not to provide a nice little earner on the side for some, and representation means alternative provision for service users should be made.
Vanessa Smith ● 1169d