YOUR report of November 1, about Guide Dogs and Parking Charges is factually incorrect in two important areas.

First, the decision to make free parking facilities available for the use of Guide Dogs for the Blind was made before the article appeared in the Evening News, not after. When I studied logic many years ago, I was taught that an event could not precede its cause. So for the Evening News to take credit for a decision made before the newspaper was published is implausible to say the least.

Secondly, Councillor Walsh is quoted as saying: "we raised the matter this morning, and I'm delighted the Council has seen common sense." This is simply untrue. I chaired the meeting on Tuesday morning and the issue of the Guide Dogs parking problem was raised by Ian Taylor, the Council's Head of Parking Services. He explained the problem, and asked for a steer from Elected Members. All eight Elected Members from all three political parties agreed that the Guide Dogs Association should be given appropriate free facilities.

Councillor Walsh did not raise the issue, and the Council has not done a U-turn. It has considered a legitimate request from a highly valued Charity and acceded to it. Common sense really.

Councillor Guy Harkin

Cabinet Member -- Environment

Editor's note: We did not seek to take any credit from the Council's change of heart. It was a silly suggestion which thankfully you reversed before any damage was done. Common sense did on this occasion prevail.