Residents parking fees to rise 330% at Sidmouth’s York Street Residents Car Park (an area of small, terraced houses and many double yellow lines). Parking permit costs will rise to £1,800 per year or buy a three year permit for £5,400 and protect yourself against increased prices in years 2 and 3. The 58 bays will net EDDC a cool £100,000 a year. 58 lost votes there then!

And EDDC’s response? “[Our] assets need to be managed to the best possible effect. These spaces are in high demand and it therefore follows that the council should be acheiving a market rate”.

No such achievement of the market rate at the Knowle car park, where officers and councillors continue to enjoy free parking. And let us not forget they are similarly absolved of parking fees when out and about on “council business”.

Well, someone has to pay for the Skypark shag pile ….