LOCAL Tory councillors appear to have selective memories over car parking charging in Northwich town centre, Opinion, March 15.

They fail to recall that it was a Labour-controlled Northwich Town Council that campaigned against the introduction of parking charges when first threatened under a Toryrun Cheshire West and Chester Council in 2010.

That campaign continued despite Labour taking control of CWAC in 2015 as concerns about the retailing fragility of the town remained.

That is why the town council recently asked CWAC to withhold parking charges until a threshold of 65 per cent square foot occupancy at Barons Quay was reached.

Perhaps the Tories should give more credit to the role of both the town council and the two CWAC Labour councillors representing the town centre in raising these concerns at the highest levels.

The relevant cabinet members have been made fully aware of these concerns and are working collaboratively to deliver the best outcomes for Northwich, despite facing years of unremitting Tory austerity that has severely reduced the council’s revenue support.

In the interests of all our residents and traders and the town’s future prospects it is vital that all parties work together and avoid political posturing on this issue.

Finally in reference to the council being fined for delayed hospital discharges, it should be acknowledged that every effort is being made by both health and council staff to reduce avoidable delays, both for the sake of the patient and their families.

Broadly one third are council care delays and the other two thirds delays are the NHS.

And despite the fact that many councils ignore such fines, seeing them as simply penalising local health and social care services, this council is following a mutually agreed process to amicably resolve the matter.

Cllrs Paul Dolan & Sam Naylor Winnington and Castle