The sabres are still rattling at Oxford Town Hall It seems they have been told that they have a 50:50 chance of challenging the county council's decision to introduce a £40 charge for residents' parking permits on the basis that the consultation was flawed.

We all know the consultation was a farce and that it was a done deal before any letters went out to residents. We do not need a court to tell us that.

At least one city councillor did have the presence of mind to warn about the cost of a legal challenge. It could hundreds of thousands of pounds.

It does not matter whether the chances of the city council winning are 50:50 or q00 per cent in its favour. Whichever council wins the case it will be the same council taxpayer picking up the bill. In effect, Oxford council taxpayers would be mounting a legal challenge against themselves.

Whatever one thinks about the quality of the consultation or the quality of the decision to introduce the charge,, nobody has questioned the right of the county council to take the decision. A legal challenge may only delay the charge.