Not everyone welcomes Government legislation but, at times, powers given to local authorities can work.

There should be powers to stop traders taking over our highways, but the recent actions by Barnet Council do seem to be heavy handed.

I have followed with interest the recent campaign to get the council to review its decision to charge a blanket pavement tax on all traders who put out chairs and tables, and display goods, on pavements in the borough, where the pavement width allows it. I have also spoken to traders and residents who feel the council is using a hammer to crack a nut.

The decision to charge traders was rushed through after minimal consultation earlier this year. It could mean the end of café society in our town centres, as small businesses that are unable to pay thousands of pounds a year decide not to put out tables and chairs or display their goods to avoid the tax.

The weakness in this new policy is that it does not differentiate between small businesses, like cafés and florists, and larger businesses, like pubs and clubs, nor does it take into account the relative litter and antisocial behaviour that can occur in each case.

This is the worst kind of Thatcherite tax and is already hitting traders hard, yet does nothing to protect our pavements from dangerous obstructions, litter or antisocial behaviour.

The council should remove this blanket charge so the smallest traders are not penalised and the worst offenders are dealt with appropriately. Many of these businesses can ill-afford it, and it does nothing to encourage the vibrancy of our town centres and will, in reality, harm their development.

When many small independent traders face a tough time through the present economic crisis, and have to fight the big chains, I would hope the council would fight their corner rather than using these somewhat bully boy tactics. I understand this will be discussed at a council committee meeting in November. Let’s hope common sense prevails.