Parking Outrage

How officials' free spaces have cost you thousands
Evening Chronicle

Free city centre parking passes costing taxpayers tens of thousands of pounds have been dished out to public bodies.
Newcastle City Council chiefs were under fire today after handing out free parking to the North East Assembly and the Association of North East Councils.
While thousands of motorists have to pay to park in town, 11 free permits worth £1,000 each have been handed out for the past 20 years, the Chronicle can reveal.
Details of the free parking deal have caused embarrassment to the city council, which is trying to reduce traffic congestion by persuading workers to leave their cars at home.
The new row follows the disclosure both organisations were allowed to occupy their offices at the Guildhall rent-free at a cost to taxpayers of between £230,000 and £250,000 in lost income over the years.
Read the full story here