Charities - are they allowed to do this?

I didn't think councils set their commercial rates - thought that was done by central government.

Rent would be a different matter, however.

Maybe he was there to tell them the error of their ways and to save their souls? Probably extended to helping those poor girls outside in the rain wearing scanty tops and short skirts who were badly in need of financial aid for warmer clothing ;-) Come back to my cloisters and lets get those wet clothes off you. Hehehe.

David in Normandy wibbled on Wednesday 13 January 2010 18:41

Perhaps administering Extreme Unction with his Bishop's Staff?

But they didn't get it in the first place AIUI. All business rates go to central government and are then paid out to LAs as grants. But LAs do keep parking penalties, which helps explain why my old hometown of Twickenham had a rotting town centre and 'enthusiastic' traffic wardens.