A BUNGLING SCOTS council has been forced to scrap parking charges for beauty spots after officials forgot to add VAT.
Edinburgh Council estimated the controversial £2-a-time parking charges would raise £35,000 a year.
But officials forgot to factor in the VAT they would have to hand over the government, meaning the plan would only generate £3,000 a year.
Edinburgh Council estimated the controversial £2-a-time parking charges would raise £35,000 a year.
The council – notorious for its handling of the troubled trams project – came under fire for the bungle today (wed).
David Bewsey, a member of the city’s Colinton Amenity Association said: “It hasn’t been properly thought through and it doesn’t surprise me there’s been an oversight on the VAT.
“Just think of all the projects the officials could have been working in and all the money wasted. It’s a complete waste of time.”
Trudy Allan, secretary of Balerno Community Council added: “It’s an elementary mistake for people who are supposed to know what they are doing.”
The charges were being considered as part of an attempt to fund the parks’ £288,000 annual operating costs.
An Edinburgh Council spokeswoman said the problem had been due to a “clerical oversight”.
She added: “It’s unfortunate this option hasn’t proved viable but our parks and greenspace service is progressing with alternative strategies to realise savings.”
