Leaders from the charity and voluntary sector made their case to councillors over proposed budget cuts.

Representatives from a dozen organisations met at the Wealdstone Centre to talk to the three backbench councillors about what they fear might happen if Harrow Borough Council cut funding to the voluntary sector.

Labour backbenchers were invited in an open letter from the voluntary sector last week.

Council leader Councillor David Perry said he would attend last night’s meeting, but the charities have organised a separate meeting with the Labour leader.

Earlier this month 15 different Harrow charities signed a letter to the Labour administration warning the cuts to the sector would lead to ‘disastrous and irreversible impact’ on the most vulnerable in the borough.

At the meeting councillors heard from leaders from Mind in Harrow, Harrow MenCap, Age UK Harrow and others.

They also her testimony from service users about how they had benefited from the voluntary sector and warned if there were cuts there would be a greater strain on council and local NHS services.

Mark Gillham from Mind in Harrow said: “It was very pleasing to see so many from different organisations and members of the public at the meeting representing the community.

“It was good to be able to talk to the councillors about the impact of cuts to the sector and try an share some ideas about how deal with the challenge ahead.

“There was a positive spirit to the meeting and we wanted to get across the fact we want to work with the council.

“If funding for the sector is cut then a greater burden will be put on the council’s services.

“It was disappointing only three councillors turned up as many of the organisations would have liked share their ideas with more members.”

Councillor Michael Borio, who attended the meeting said: “It was a great event, and a real pleasure to meet the voluntary sector and find out about all the great work they do in the community.

“We all know the financial realities with the Conservative government imposing £75m of cuts on Harrow council, and our residents, and in this challenging climate we look forward to working constructively with the voluntary sector in the coming months.”

People can still have their say about the proposed cuts as part of the authrotie’s Take Part survey by clicking here.