Three hundred Harrow residents, including eight 16- to 19-year-olds, met as part of the UK's first local authority Open Budget session to consult on local spending. They were asked to decide which of five sectors should face cuts: 21.5 per cent voted for the youth service, which was only exceeded by services aimed at tackling congestion.
However, when asked which sector should avoid cuts, 17.09 per cent of the assembly voted for the youth service.
Final budget decisions rest with the council, but councillors could put themselves at risk of losing in local elections if they disagree with the assembly, said Adam Lent, research director of Power Inquiry, the charity that runs the Open Budget scheme.
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