LEADER’S
NOTES
“Each year they blossom
will be a nod to this
anniversary.”
Councillor Julian Bell
Leader of the council
very November for the past few years, when I have stood at Greenford’s
war memorial for the town’s Remembrance Day service, I am lost in
thought. I think about the sacrifices given and the ordeals undergone by
ordinary people like you and me.
When you read, or listen to, the stories of the men and women who
braved and endured all manner of trials and hardships, and pain – to help
their country, friends and family survive – it brings the human face of war
into sharp focus. I think the two stories highlighted in this edition of Around
Ealing’s local history article (pages 58–59) sum up just how much our nation
of individuals pulled together, in any way they could, during the First World
War. Both contributed to the war efforts, albeit in disparate ways and in
different countries. Both are remembered on one memorial.
Tales like these, which lie behind the names on our memo rials, are
so important to remember. It is much more than a list. That is why, to
commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the First World War, the council
is reviewing our borough’s war memorials and assessing any repairs and
renovations that might be necessary. In this way, the stories they preserve
can be kept alive for future generations.
Poppies, so evocative of the same war, have been planted by the council on
green spaces across the borough. Each year they blossom will be a nod to this
anniversary. You can read more about the planned services in November on
the following page. And, please keep an eye out for other projects to mark
the anniversary between now and 2018.
E
I
n this magazine (from page 53) you can
read a summary of the council’s accounts
for 2013/14. Over the next five years, the
council expects the amount available for us
to spend on our services will drop by 40%.
This will mean an unprecedented saving
target of £96million by April 2019 – on top
of the £87million of budget reductions the
council has already managed since 2010.
It reflects increasing demands on council
services combined with forecasts of our main
government grant being obliterated over the
next five years. I want you to understand the
scale of cuts being forced on the council which
will mean many services will need to change –
and it is possible some may even have to stop.
Proposals will be drawn up, and I am
determined to consult on difficult decisions.
But I am even more determined that we
protect the most vulnerable and distribute
any cuts as fairly as possible.
‘A
&E services have now changed’,
proclaims the advert from the NHS
on page two of this magazine.
I suppose that closing two vital A&Es is a
‘change’, but one which I vehemently oppose.
As you know, I have been involved in an
ongoing campaign to save local hospital
services, which I will continue to support. We
have allowed the NHS to publish the advert
because it is crucial people know these services
will no longer be there from 10 September.
Poppies were planted in Perivale Park to commemorate the anniversary
around ealing
Autumn 2014
5