Time running out to comment on Harrow Council’s cost cutting plans

Residents have just two more weeks to comment on Harrow Council’s plans to slash spending by cutting back on services and closing facilities such as Harrow Arts Centre and Harrow Museum. The council is asking people to comment on a list of cost saving proposals put forward to save £75million over three years. Facilities at risk include the arts centre in Hatch End and Harrow Museum in Pinner View, Headstone. Local residents have compiled petitions to save both local centres. Carole Swithern is a volunteer gardener who works at the museum. She said: “It is unthinkable to close the museum. The council has already spent quite a lot of money making improvements there, and has allocated funds for future works, so it seems illogical to then turn around and close it. “The council encouraged us to go for planning permission to restore the Great Barn so it can host events such as wedding – we already had wedding bookings for next year. We are so close to being self-funded. We are also waiting to hear back about Lottery Funding. We are so close.” Headstone Manor House dates back to the 14^th Century and is the only palace with a working moat in the whole of London. Carole said: “It is not the kind of building you can just mothball. It won’t just sit there, it will go to rack and ruin. If we don’t protect our history, very soon we will have nothing left. It’s very short term thinking.” A petition to save the museum is available to sign at the museum and Morrisons. The council’s consultation is available at www.harrow.gov.uk. The deadline for responses is November 8.