Neighbourhood Champions scheme to get £100,000 (From Harrow Times)

Harrow Council's Neighbourhood Champions scheme to get £100,000

2:20pm Friday 5th February 2010 in News By Jack Royston

FUNDS of £100,000 could be pumped into a project aimed at at turning 2,000 residents into the eyes and ears of Harrow Council.

The Neighbourhood Champions scheme encourages residents to report issues ranging from anti-social behaviour to flytipping, but was slammed as spying when it was introduced in November.

Following start up costs of £70,000, the initiative has now been awarded a six-figure investment in next year's draft budget, due to go before leading councillors for approval on Thursday.

Councillor Susan Hall, responsible for environment services, said: “They are going to be our eyes and ears in the streets.

“I don't buy this nonsense that it's spying – it's telling us what's going on in the streets. It's absolutely vital.”

The scheme is designed as an enhanced version of neighbourhood watch, with residents trained to look out for problems which can be fixed by the council.

Residents will be encouraged to report problems like potholes and burnt out cars, as well as anti-social behaviour.

In November Cllr Hall told the Harrow Times the council would be prepared to apply for anti-social behaviour orders to tackle problems.

An initial batch of 166 volunteers have now completed their training but will not formally start until electricians install computer systems, which will fast track their concerns to council officers.