This time of year is known to those of us who have dabbled in the journalistic trade as the silly season... and the story emanating from the corridors of power at the town hall slots nicely into the cockamamie category.

Great word 'cockamamie'... I must use it again soon!

The headline in the Times Series was "Residents' parking permits to be given to spiritual leaders". Meat and drink that to hard-hitting Richard Littlejohn - "you couldn't make it up" - who was quick to deride the proposition in his Daily Mail column. Be on the look out for him driving around the borough wearing a dog collar and looking for a parking space in someone else's spot.

Fellow blogger Rog T and I discussed it as a reason for a rant when we met at the Mill Hill Music Festival. "The most ridiculous scheme ever to come from the town hall," he pronounced. What a sensible chap.

Equally sensible reader Elizabeth Lawrence gave her opinion in a letter... "this is the most ridiculous idea yet". Giving permits to park in residents' bays will not only reduce the number of bays available to residents, she points out, but also to Blue Badge holders whose need is greater than a visit from a religious leader

"This system would be ripe for exploitation and abuse," she wrote, asking were religious leaders visiting one of their parishioners any more important than the emergency services, care workers and other social service providers.

Come to that, what about me? Who grades importance? I reckon I get as many calls from my twin daughters Claire and Kathryn requiring family advice, spiritual and otherwise, about their problems and those of our grandchildren than your average vicar or rabbi... and calls about sickness are rarely off the agenda.

Who do kids turn to in their hours of need? Dear old Dad, of course, And, hurriedly, dear old Mum.

I've nothing against vicars or rabbis - some of my best friends, and all that! - but I think that I can present an equally good case for additional parking. And so has every father, mother and grandparent in the borough.

I have to buy 10 books of tickets from the council for £100 to let my family and friends park outside our apartment block. It costs £1 an hour to park outside Kathryn's... even if I am visiting to tend to the spiritual needs of her or the grandchildren.

It costs £4 to park at Barnet General Hospital, even if you are only there for half an hour... and the only real way to avoid the parking problems at the Royal Free is to arrive by ambulance with a couple of those superb paramedics in attendance

This is not just a silly season story ... it's plain daft. Ridiculous. Cockamamie.

Think again, dear Mr Freer. You are outvoted two bloggers to one. Or, at least, include me and every other parent on your VIP visitors' list.

PS I recently had the first time trauma of an attractive lady offering me her seat on a Northern Line train. I'll tell you what though - I'm not surrendering my car parking spot at Barnet FC to any vicar or rabbi called in to administer to the needs of the lads!