Leader's column September 2008

12.21.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 28th Aug 2008

Mike Swallow hands the petition to save the gym to Cllr Mike Cox

At last, Hillingdon Council tax payers have something positive to celebrate. The Labour government admitting, finally, that Hillingdon is a special case for the funding of Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children is good news indeed.

A lot of work by council officers and councillors over the years has gone into negotiating a practical solution. Shortly after the 2006 election I accompanied the other two Hillingdon party leaders to put forward the case to the minister in charge. Despite Hillingdon Council losing their case in the courts common sense has finally prevailed. I agree with Cllr Puddifoot that special praise needs to be given to John McDonnell and Cllr Anthony Way for challenging their own party's position so effectively.

The big question now must be what will Hillingdon do with the special windfall? Will we see some of the painful cuts in services reversed, will we see some of our potholed roads repaired or will the money be used just to bribe Tory voters ahead of the next local elections?

One candidate for enhanced funding should be the borough's sports facilities. Not just the bricks and mortar of buildings but a proper competitive programme to push Hillingdon into the forefront of the preparations for 2012. After the fantastic achievements of Team GB in Beijing we have an opportunity over the next 4 years to make Hillingdon a centre of excellence and a beacon of achievement in sport. The Conservative administration now has the opportunity and the funds to save the Swallows gymnastics centre as a existing and strong base for sporting excellence in the borough. What's stopping them?