[Paul Coleman]

when i received a fixed penalty of £35 i phoned the procurator fiscal(crown prosecution in england) and stated that i would refuse to pay,i threatened to go to the newspapers with it,i was then informed that i would not have to pay,also reminded to wear my id badge at all times.

Aah yes.  The dreaded fixed penalty notices.  Those things where they don't have the embarassment of taking you to court but if you refuse to pay and take THEM to court it will probably cost you more in lost time than the fine - even if you win.
I don't know why council officials don't simply walk around with a cash register on them.  The trouble is that it is all of us (not just window cleaners) who are letting these parasitical vermin get away with these tactics.