to be annoyed at having to pay council £15 to park outside my own house

[southeastastra]

permit used to be free but not they want £15 per year to park my (only) car on the road, which doesn't even belong to them but county council

am livid as out of work at the moment and don't need this extra charge

But everyone who lives, works or regularly visits a particular county can use the library to access books, internet, cds whatever, if they wish.

The only person who can use the op's parking permit is the op.

I think there is a huge difference between a facility provided for all to access and one in which a huge benefit is derived by a single person.

For example, you want an extension to your house. You have to pay to submit an application for planning permission. Why? Because the householder benefits from the extension and not the general community.

Oh, ok, I sort of get you then. But then, your library card - no one else can use it. And I couldn't wander into your local library because mine closed down, and hope to use it, if I don't live there. Same thing here IMO. She gets to park there because she lives on the street. It's simple.

Now, where I live, they charge for permits but then spaces are in high demand so they need parking wardens to enforce the permit-only spaces. That costs money, so I would rather pay towards it than not. But the OP says her place isn't very parked up, so I don't understand what her money is going to that ordinary road tax doesn't cover.

But the OP says her place isn't very parked up, so I don't understand what her money is going to that ordinary road tax

I am probably splitting hairs now, but vehicle excise tax doesn't cover the cost of road building and maintaince, so we all pay for the roads, motorist or not.

But the main point is that, perhaps the road is quiet because a permit scheme is in operation and enforced? If it was depermitted, it would soon be full of shoppers, commuters and people from nearby streets with permitstrying to get free parking.

Either way it is an extraordinary fuss to make over 15quid a year.