Fair Deal For Harrow

Join our campaign!

Together, the ruling Tory group and the Harrow Observer are lobbying central government for a fairer deal for Harrow.

Taking the fight to Westminster – On December 19, David Ashton, deputy leader of the council with council officers and the two MPs met with Phil Woolas to explain Harrow’s unique case.

All avenues are being explored to try and promote Harrow’s cause, David Ashton explained:

“Chris Mote and I, are lobbying Phil Woolas, the Minister for Local Government and Community Cohesion, our local MPs and working with London Councils to draw attention to the drastic consequences of the government’s under funding for our services next year and to ensure that the people of Harrow get a better deal.”

Better Grant For Harrow- launched 11 January 2007, on pages 1, 4 & 5 of the Harrow Observer.

The effort is gathering pace… so how do I get involved?

The recent Cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Gordon Brown means John Healey MP has replaced Phil Woolas MP as Minister for Local Government.

If you would like to back the campaign, please sign the letter below and send them to: Dhruti Shah, Campaign For A Better Grant, Harrow Observer, 326 Station Road, Harrow, Middlesex, HA1 2DR.

Dear Mr Healey,

We want you to help us provide a better life for all who live here.

Harrow Council is in a precarious financial position which has not been helped by poor grant settlements it receives from central government.

The council receives an average of £145 per head less than its nearest neighbours and £572 per head less than the London average; Harrow has the lowest reserves for outer London boroughs at only £1.5m, compared with the average of £12m.

This borough is underfunded by the Government and it is simply unacceptable. Our councillors are being forced to make extreme cuts affecting the elderly, the young, and the disabled, because we just do not have any money to pay for anything.

We are on the ‘floor’ of the funding formulae in both real and absolute terms and that is not fair on those who choose to live here. The borough is changing and our population is becoming more diverse, yet the grants we get do not reflect this.

We are already suffering because of underfunding in the health service and our borough has to pay an additional £3.5m this year to cover the costs shunted to the council by the Harrow Primary Care Trust.

You have it in your power to improve our grant and consequently the quality of life for our residents.

Please do so.

Yours Sincerely

Link to the Observer: http://blog.harrowobserver.co.uk/archives/2007/02/quite_a_scoop.html#comments

http://icharrow.icnetwork.co.uk/harrowobserver/headlines/tm_headline=more-readers-join-our-campaign&method=full&objectid=19553339&siteid=53431-name_page.html

The Cabinet backs the campaign, 5 February 2007...

In addition, please sign up to the e-petition located on the 10 Downing Street website:

'We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Increase Harrow Council's Budget per head in line with other boroughs.' http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/notfair/