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uk

By CHRIS MOSS

S p e n d i n g s q u e eze saves council 1.5m

MP welcomes Robin Hood budget
HARLOW MP Robert Halfon has hailed the coalition Governments emergency spending plans as a Robin Hood budget that will protect the poorest and most vulnerable members of society. Mr Halfon said the measures announced by Chancellor George Osbourne on Tuesday would help the poor more than the rich while stabilising the British economy. The national debt is set to double to 1.4 trillion in five years, equivalent to 22,000 for every man, woman and child in the country, he said. Despite some very painful measures announced to deal with Labours economic mess, this is a Robin Hood budget. When you look at the key measures, it protects the most vulnerable people in our society. He admitted increasing VAT to 20 per cent would be painful but welcomed plans for a levy on banks which could raise up to 2bn a a tight control on the finances and regular monitoring by councillors during the credit crisis. However, the councils grant allocation for 2010/11 will be slashed by 27,000 as part of the Governments attempts to reduce spending on local government by 1.166bn. Essex County Council will also have its grant cut and Harlow councillors are waiting year. At a time when the coalition Government was forced to take unavoidable and difficult decisions such as on VAT, it is right that we have protected people on lower incomes and demanded that the banks pay us back for the bailout they received during the recession, he added. However, former Harlow MP Bill Rammell described the budget as a political scandal. Despite the Office For Budgetary Responsibility showing that finances were in better shape than Alistair Darling had predicted in his last budget, the Government has chosen to make cuts and raise taxes significantly above what is necessary to deal with the deficit, he said. It is a political scandal that both Tories and Liberal Democrats promised not to raise VAT in their general election campaigns and have now done so. plugging a budget shortfall of more than 1.7m as well as freezing our share of council tax. Now weve got to do our bit to reduce the national debt and we are prepared for this. The draft accounts will be reported to the council's audit and executive committees today (Thursday) after which they will be available for public inspection and external audit.

NEWS

June 24, 2010

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The authoritys draft statement of accounts for 2009/10 show it managed to keep a tight rein on its spending despite the crippling effects of the recession. However, council officers are recommending that 300,000 should be carried over to the current year because of delays in spending and the rest of the money kept in reserves to help safeguard the authoritys future financial position. Councillor Simon Carter, executive committee member and chairman of the resources working group, said: This is a significant achievement for the council given the financial pressures facing local government. Topping up our reserves puts our finances on a stronger footing and will help protect the councils future financial position. Councillors took tough decisions last year but this has resulted in a more stable financial position. The underspend is a result of council officers keeping

CASH-strapped Harlow Council spent 1.5m less than it had budgeted for during the past financial year.

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to see if or how this will affects its support for the town. Its too early to say what the impact of the cuts will be, but one reassurance we can give residents is that we are always looking at ways of working smarter and better to provide value for money, said Mr Carter. This year we are making efficiency savings beyond the previous governments targets,

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Firefighters pull in the cash for Rae

AS if their day job wasnt difficult enough, a team of Harlow firefighters pulled a 14-tonne fire engine around the town on Saturday to raise money for a toddler born with a life-limiting health condition. The 20-strong group, supported by ladies from Harlow Rugby Club, started from the fire station in Fourth Avenue. A rolling road block opened up a route to Old Harlow and Church Langley before they headed back to the town centre, finishing outside the Esporta health club. They collected 1,350 in buckets on the day and expect the total to top 2,000 once all the sponsorship money comes in. The money will go towards buying Harlow youngster Rae White, pictured right, who was born with Spinal FIRED UP: Left to right, Julian Williams, Ben Woodfield , George Bowers, Paul Smith, Paul Rogers and Russ Mackenzie
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SUMMER DAYS OUT BY COACH

GREAT DIXTER HOUSE & HISTORIC BATTLE HAMPTON COURT PALACE FLOWER SHOW

A lovely day to the 15th century Great Dixter, house and gardens. Plus, the historic town of Battle in Sussex. Saturday 10th July. Spectacular Show Gardens, Floral Marquees, 100s of Stalls selling plants, etc, plus the latest accessories. Plus, Special SHOW OFFERS all in an idyllic setting by The Thames. Sunday 11th July. Award-winning Beaches & Pier, traditional attractions, charming high street with inviting shops and tearooms. Thursday 22nd July. A lovely river cruise from Maidenhead with commentary as we pass notable landmarks, with stunning views of the Castle as we cruise into Windsor for the afternoon. Wednesday 28th July.

SCENIC BOAT CRUISE TO ROYAL WINDSOR

RIVERSIDE WISBECH ON MARKET DAY AND KINGS LYNN

Visit the capital of the Fens, full of character and heritage, with lots of market stalls to browse today. Plus, we visit Kings Lynn with fine old streets, riverside cafes, pedestrianised shopping and much more. Thursday 29th July. The superb resort with fabulous beaches, pier, wide colourful promenade, plus excellent shopping, etc. Sunday 1st August.

Muscular Atrophy Type II, a special motorised wheelchair which will greatly improve her quality of life as she is paralysed from the waste down. Firefighter Craig Douglas said: Wed like

to say a big thank you to the people of Harlow for supporting us and for putting up with the rolling traffic block. The weather was perfect. It started out quite sunny but we had some rain which helped to cool us down. It was like someone wanted to make sure we completed it.

EASTBOURNE A DAY AT THE COAST

THE COTSWOLDS - MORETON in MARSH on MARKET DAY

Enjoy a day in this pretty area, visiting Moreton in Marsh, where its market day with over 250 stalls to browse! Plus, we visit the picturesque village of Bourton on the Water. Tuesday 10th August. A day of spectacular views! From the London Eye and also on our leisurely River Cruise to Greenwich, where you have plenty of time for sightseeing, lunch, etc. Wednesday 11th August. Take a nostalgic Steam Train ride in the Weald of Kent, with superb views from your carriage window! Afterwards a visit to the popular coastal resort of Hastings. Sunday 15th August. Today we visit the Norfolk coastal resort, Hunstanton with time for a stroll, lunch, etc. We then visit the excellent Norfolk Lavender Centre for a delicious Cream Tea! Wednesday 18th August.

Visit this Jacobean style house with priceless treasures, superb gardens, see the working Lode Watermill etc, plus, we visit the lovely riverside town of Ely, with its splendid cathedral, where its market day, so much to see. Thursday 5th August.

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Thug fails in sentence appeal

A THUG who left his victim in intensive care after repeatedly smashing his head on the ground has failed in a bid to have his prison sentence reduced. Steven Michael Smith (22), of Taylifers, Harlow, was convicted of causing grievous bodily harm at Chelmsford Crown Court last July and jailed for four years. On Monday his lawyers failed to convince judges at the Court of Criminal Appeal that the sentence was too severe. The court heard Smith had been drinking heavily before the attack in November 2008. Smiths lawyers claimed the sentence was manifestly excessive due to his young age, his remorse and the fact no weapon was used or long-term injury caused.

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