Council’s magazine is not objective enough
WHILE Fred Foster points out an incorrect date in the current issue of Coventry’s Citivision (Letters, July 6), I am more troubled by the motivations behind this free-of charge, hand-delivered magazine. Those who sanction this publication will no doubt tell us it is an important communication tool, but I would argue that recent editions have read more like a propaganda pamphlet glorifying the so-called achievements of our sainted local Labour-controlled council, rather than presenting an objective appraisal of what is actually happening in Coventry. Just how much does the production and distribution of this publication cost the people of Coventry, when at the same time Labour councillors are cutting basic local services and blaming every single bad spending decision they make on central government ‘austerity’? And while on the subject of spending and shrinking local government funding, can the Labour council please justify councillor allowances and expenses currently running at £1m a year, explain the reasoning and associated costs behind running an event like the Godiva Festival without charging a nominal entrance fee and last but by no means least, make public how much hard cash is being invested into Coventry’s bid for City of Culture, while our local libraries face inevitable closure and waste collections are being cut back at a time when fly-tipping is endemic? Matthew Batson Coundon
Shops must protect their own interests
RE: ‘New car parking rules won’t attract shoppers’ (July 12).
Unfortunately it is human nature to attempt to get something for nothing, and the writer has highlighted this. However, it is no good whingeing when we get caught out.
The car park at Central Six was provided for the shopping complex. The businesses, one would assume, contribute towards its upkeep.
It is a facility to encourage customers into their retail outlets and not to provide free parking for anywhere else in the city.
They should not be criticised for protecting their own interests.
Maybe, with better control, the next time I visit Central Six to spend my money there, I will be able to find a parking space. A difficulty previously experienced. Frank Harrison Coundon
Where is our road tax being spent?
MAY I congratulate Coventry City Council for having such poor roads.
Instead of going for City of Culture, should they go for City of Agriculture, as the roads are like ploughed fields.
I would like to know where our road tax is being spent. Could somebody enlighten us through this paper please? G A Bazeley Bedworth