I CAN only conclude from the numerous letters from members of Bromsgrove Labour Party in the last few weeks that the Independents are causing them a lot of grief.

Also at the most recent council meeting, when we were not allowed by the "new rules" to debate "car-parking charges both for the disabled, and senior citizens, Councillor Peter McDonald was given the freedom to 'bash' the Independents at will. This seemed to please the leader of the council and members of the executive, who also denigrated any comments that members of the Independents were allowed to make.

Please let me reassure members of the public that if the scrutiny report (which Councillor McDonald chairs) tries to 'water-down' the results of this scrutiny to the executive in August, then the Independents will take this debate on to the High Street in September, and no doubt collect the overwhelming number of signatures to enable the executive to review its decision.

In my caravanning weekends away in many other local authority areas this summer, I have yet to find one which charges the disabled for parking.

I am also receiving information that a lot of pensioners are getting taxis in to Bromsgrove to shop rather than pay the extra parking fees. Bromsgrove is also losing a lot of shoppers who now visit Redditch or Kidderminster in preference to paying these sudden extra charges.

This is not good for our local economy.

Councillor Dave McGrath

Bromsgrove Independents