Last week Harrow’s Labour-run council approved its budget for the year ahead, in the midst of turbulent financial times and the biggest cuts to public services in living memory.

Under the Tory-led Government Harrow is being hit by historic cuts in funding of almost 30 per cent over the next four years — £62 million overall. Since May alone Harrow has lost £5.2m.

It was in this context that Harrow Council set its budget; I supported it because I believe it was underpinned by three clear principles: Firstly, the budget is a financially responsible one — it prioritises the frontline by, for example, cutting senior management posts at the council and using new technology in street cleaning and library services to make savings.

Secondly, it puts fairness for families at its heart: a council tax freeze, keeping all the borough’s children’s centres and libraries open, and securing new investment in play areas in our parks.

Thirdly, it outlines a new commitment from Harrow Council to put residents at the centre of decision making. Labour councillors supported a new priority — “United and Involved Communities” and a new vision: “Working Together: Our Harrow, Our community”.

While it will take time to change the council into a more open and inclusive organization, the “Let’s Talk” campaign demonstrated the Labour administration’s drive to do things differently.

Conservative councillors voted against this budget on a point of politics, not a point of principle. They proposed no alternative budget, they made no apology for the huge cuts in funding to Harrow Council passed down from the Tory-led Government and they had nothing constructive to say about Harrow’s future.

They voted against: a council tax freeze, against protecting Harrow’s children’s centres and libraries, and against a new approach to local politics — where the council talks less and listens more.

Unlike in neighbouring Brent or in boroughs across London, there was no mass protests at Harrow Council’s budget setting meeting. Not because it was a pain free budget — £19m of savings this year cannot be made without difficult choices, but because it was a fair and reasonable reply to a reckless and irresponsible government.

Councillor Ben Wealthy
Greenhill Ward