NO - Paul Clark, director of children's services, Harrow Council
The recent Open Budget debate in Harrow was a pioneering way of getting residents involved in thinking about some of the funding challenges facing Harrow Council.
It was not a referendum on whether certain council services should be cut, or where investment should be targeted - rather, residents were asked about ways of delivering services. Final decisions about spending will always rest with elected members.
Here in Harrow we are extremely proud of the way we involve young people in decision-making. Next week, for example, young people will present the borough's youth participation strategy to the council's cabinet. Other examples of Harrow's strong record in youth engagement include young people taking a central role in a recent major consultation on the future of the borough's parks, the strength of Harrow Youth Council, which played host to the London Youth Parliament in the summer, and much more.
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