Councils have responded with anger over claims they are using parking charges as a ‘cash cow'. Communities secretary, Eric Pickles, said local authorities should be more innovative in the way they sought out extra revenue rather than the ‘lazy' option of pushing up parking charges. He suggested opening the doors of council-run MOT test centres to offer tests and repairs to residents. But Cllr Peter Box, chairman of the LGA's economy and transport board, said: ‘To suggest councils use parking fees as a cash cow is inaccurate and misleading. The rules don't allow councils to use parking charges with the sole aim of making a profit.' He added councils knew what worked best in their local area, and called on the Government to ‘take the reins off' so they could get on with the job they were doing.