“A fine is a punishment because you have no control of what it is spent on” – mmmmm perplexing answer! No-one has control over what taxes are spent on, is tax a punishment?
“I would far rather use my money on my own enjoyment than to lose it to the government, be it WCBC, Welsh Assembly or Westminster” – Good comment! Why give away money needlessly.
Are councils/gov’t an authority to demand fines anyway? If so where’s the proof?