The Times Series' petition to get a short period of free parking continues to gain support every week. However, I never expected a real-life farce to unfold in the process.

So, more than 6,000 residents and business owners all agree that 30 minutes free parking would both benefit the community and help sustain financial turnover.

SIGN OUR PETITION FOR 30 MINUTES' FREE PARKING HERE

It's no surprise that the community at large has been completely turned off from real shopping due to Barnet Borough Council's frequent meddling with parking facilities and pricing.

Yet Councillor Dean Cohen does not agree. So, he is right and everyone else is wrong, yes?

But wait, Cllr Cohen has come up with the brainwave of the year. Free Wi-Fi throughout the borough.

Amazing! Brilliant!! Fantastic!!!

Let's create a situation where, instead of a person sitting down in their own home to access the internet, we'll get them to: turn the lap-top off, start the car - adding more pollution to the atmosphere - drive into North Finchley, pay more virtual money to park (too bad if all you have is cash) then nip into Cafe Buzz, sit down with a cappuccino and start shopping online.

But the café already has an internal Wi-Fi facility, which is already freely available in the first place!

As you can see, that all makes perfect sense, right?

Wrong.

It would be yet a further waste of taxpayers' money. Now where have I heard that before?

By all means install free Wi-Fi in certain areas, but in moderation Cllr Cohen - not throughout the whole borough! It is all a question of balance.

The 30 Minutes Free petition must continue but, a word of warning: due to the fact the Tory-led council has a majority - tiny though it is – since 2014, when debates have been put to full council, the Tories nearly always get the vote. The mayor has at his disposal not one, but two votes.

But, as one councillor said to me recently: “It's just politics”.

Yeah, right. Tell this to the people and see how that sentiment is received.

Time after time, it has been the mayor’s casting vote that has carried the day. Therefore, the only way this petition has any hope of being implemented, is if two or more Conservative councillors can be persuaded that 30 minutes' free Wi-Fi will be far, far less productive in generating revenue for the local economy compared to 30 minutes' free parking.

An issue like this shouldn't be about politics, but common sense in order to benefit the greater good of the whole community.

- Jez Simms. Address supplied.

To sign our 30 Minutes Free petition, click here.