Well, if a council makes a profit from the inspection and registration process, the councillors are breaking the law, and the audit commissioners have the duty to make waves.

What they can do legally is cover expenses - but if they try to use this as a way of covering additional costs (like salaries for people who are only involved in this part time, and are doing other council work the rest of the time) they are in breach of the law.

If you have reson to believe that this is happening, I suggest you shop the bastards to the audit commissioners, and go public about it.