As part of the Taxpayers’ Alliance, the Drivers’ Alliance research was designed to prove that council parking regimes are simply out to make money from council taxpayers (The Argus, November 25).

However, the population statistics used in the research, which made out that Brighton and Hove collected a higher amount of fines per head than most other parts of the country, did not appear to take into account visitor, tourist or trader numbers, which are high in the city.

We do not want anyone to be fined. That’s why we provide public information on our parking regulations and openly report on the service through our website.

Our own figures show that since 2004, despite the introduction of new residents’ parking schemes, the volume of penalty charge notices (parking tickets) issued has fallen, with about 38,000 fewer being issued annually.

We’re accused of having fines that are too high, yet the levels are set nationally. They are on a par with everywhere else and lower than London.

By balancing the needs of residents and visitors, parking controls provide better access and keep the city moving.

Any surplus income is reinvested in transport benefits for taxpayers. In Brighton and Hove these include 43 subsidised bus routes, many for schools or serving outlying areas; concessionary bus fares; pavement repairs; and school cycle parks, benefits that would otherwise have to be funded from council tax or reductions in services.

Councillor Geoffrey Theobald, cabinet member for environment, Brighton and Hove City Council