PROTESTERS complete with an orchestra gathered last Thursday as Hillingdon Council approved £26million worth of budget cuts.
The decision to place Hillingdon Music Service (HMS) 'under review' has caused the most flak, upsetting passionate musicians young and old.
The £750,000 contribution the council makes to the service was slashed, and HMS will be able to continue only until July in its current form.
Protesters met at 6pm at Uxbridge Tube station before marching down the High Street and staging a demonstration outside the Civic Centre.
There they waved placards bearing messages such as 'Save our music service' and 'Save Connexions', another service which will be wound up.
The Hillingdon Against Cuts Group, headed by former councillor Wally Kennedy, estimates that more than 500 protesters turned up.
Inside the Civic Centre, Labour councillors offered alternative solu tions in their own budget proposals, which were dismissed and outvoted by their governing Conservative counterparts.
Council leader Ray Puddifoot said: "We provide 800 services for the people of Hillingdon and we pride ourselves on our financial policy, but we came across an area in the music service that was unable to justify the allowance it receives, and in putting together the year's budget we have tried since October to get the information from them that we need.
"Unfortunately what information did come in was too late and that is why it needs to be reviewed. No amount of Facebook campaigns, placards and banner-waving will persuade us to make a decision on it until the review is complete.
"We have not achieved all that we have done in Hillingdon by dodging responsibility, and I acknowledge a failure in this area, but I can assure you that the current service will run until July."
However, although the council says the issue is 'under review', backtracking on its earlier stance, the decision was made last Thursday to slash the funding, meaning there is no way HMS can continue as it has in the past.
The freezing of council tax and the contribution to the HS2 fighting fund were the more popular announcements to be made as part of the budget, as well as the decision to keep open all the borough's libraries.
The controversial decision to cut staff in the CCTV control room was also raised by the opposition. Councillor Janet Duncan, Labour ward councillor for Pinkwell, said: "CCTV can be life-saving.
This is exactly what happened in Hayes two weeks ago when a stabbing occurred. It may well have been the reason a life was saved. If the CCTV is not monitored, criminals will realise it and seize on it."
Councillor Doug Mills (Conservative, Manor ward) responded: "Instead of employing people 24 hours a day we will employ them during the times when it is most needed. It will be in the hands of the commanding officer of Hillingdon Police.
"There is exactly the same CCTV coverage; it is just that the £280,000 is being spent elsewhere in the public sector."
