Yes you need to pay it now-parking revenue=religeon to most local authorities, to the extent that they will pursue you with the fervour of the inquisition if you don't pay up! they are even willing now to spend money on Smart cars with periscope cameras to catch 'offenders' it's that obsessive.
Next time you feel like being naughty, murder a granny, run over a couple of nuns, and rob a post office, the penalties will be less draconian.
The other alternative is to do like most people round my way seem to do, and not register your car in your name.