I wonder at what point "Penalty Charges" become prime sources of revenue? I mention two examples brought to my notice.
First: railway Penalty Fare Notices. On 11th July a year-ten pupil at a Lewes School boarded a train at Plumpton bound for Lewes and school. The ticket office was closed. It should have been open until 10.30am but it wasn't. The permit-to-travel machine was not working. The conductor did not pass through the train but rode in the cab with the driver. At Lewes, the lad tried to buy a ticket, having explained the situation. He was refused permission to do this and issued with a £20 penalty fare notice. I used the Southern Railway customer service web page to ask about this. No reply. I phoned customer services and asked for a head office phone number and was told "I cannot give you the number". This was changed to "I have no number to give you". I persisted and spoke to an officer who would only answer an e-mail.  In fairness he has replied but as yet has still to answer the query. The permit-to-travel machine at Plumpton is still out of order.
Second, our 'fair' parking control system.  Fair in concept perhaps but not in operation. I am told by a parking attendant that if a driver whose car displays a legitimate parking ticket is seen parking in a resident's space the attendant crosses the road, deliberately not advising the driver of the error, so that he may return later to issue the miscreant a penalty notice. Drivers are supposed to be given five minutes' grace from arriving to go to buy a ticket. This is often not allowed.
The Lewes scheme is supposed to be operated with a 'soft touch'. Seaford is promised the same. Beware Seaford!
Last week I said that I felt it wrong that 90% of Lewes District planning applications are dealt with by officers acting under delegated powers. Lest you think this is peculiar to Lewes District, I must point out that this is in response to a central government directive.
'People's Government, my hat! CATLIN