Opportunity to Discuss Future of Northolt Swimarama 18 March, 2007
Posted by Bassam Mahfouz in Community News.add a comment
There will be a special meeting to discuss the development of Northolt Swimarama and all residents are invited to attend and have your say.
The meeting will be held in the Elliott site of Northolt High School (1st entrance off Eastcote Lane North) at
7pm
Tuesday 3rd April
If you would like more details then please contact Cllr Bassam Mahfouz or click on the link to read the full report.
Tories throw £3m down parking black hole 9 March, 2007
Posted by Bassam Mahfouz in Labour's on Your Side.2 comments
The Tories on Ealing Council have covered up a £2.9million hole in their accounts, created after they ignored advice that their parking tickets displayed incorrect information.
In March 2006 a judge ruled that a parking ticket issued in Barnet was invalid because it failed to specify both the date the offence was committed and the date the ticket was issued. The Association of London Government then wrote to all London boroughs on the 3rd May 2006 informing them that they should seek legal advice and if necessary make changes to the offending tickets.
Despite being warned during their first days in office, the Conservative Council took no action until after the judgement was confirmed by judicial review in August 2006. In the intervening period over 73,000 penalty charge notices were issued, none of which could be collected, leaving the Council with a £2.9million ‘black hole’ in their parking account.
Councillors from Ealing Labour Group have expressed their shock at the cost of the failure, and at the fact this information was only revealed after members of the Shadow Cabinet made detailed enquiries.
Cllr Bassam Mahfouz, Labour’s Transport Spokesman, said:
“The Council are announcing their Budget this week, but what they don’t want people to know is that in their first month in power the Conservatives made a major error of judgement that has cost the Council almost £3million.
The advice given in May was very clear – this was an issue that all councils had to take seriously. Their casual attitude means that residents of Ealing have to ask if the Council can really be trusted to make the right decisions about how to spend taxpayers’ money.”
Councillor calls for money to improve Northolt Library 9 March, 2007
Posted by Bassam Mahfouz in Community News, Labour's on Your Side.1 comment so far
Northolt’s Councillor Bassam Mahfouz has called for the council to find funding to improve Northolt Library, located on the corner of Bengarth Road and Church Road.
Residents across most of south Northolt have been asked for their views on the future of the library and Cllr Mahfouz joined residents at a meeting to discuss proposals for improvements. Cllr Mahfouz said, “The library is in the heart of Northolt, during its time it has helped thousands of children in the area grow up with a love of books. But it is unattractive and unwelcoming, with bars at the entrance and needs a number of improvements. Residents have said that they want a community library with rooms for community use, keeps the adult learning centre but is also attractive, warm and safe.”
The Ealing Gazette reported on the campaign and you can read the article online.
