READERS have been explaining why they signed up to our Campaign For Fair Grant urging the government to better distribute cash to councils.

Mohammad Rahim, of Park Lane, Harrow, is just one of the 1,000 people so far to have filled in the Observer’s coupon or added their name to the online petition we are running jointly with Harrow Council.

The 66-year-old retired department store manager said: “I was very surprised to hear Harrow got so much less government grant. We want the council to look after the residents. If the funds were available, the council would be able to use that money to improve different things in the borough.”

Mr Rahim is a former general secretary of the Harrow Bengali Association based at the council-run Community Premises in Northolt Road, South Harrow, and his wife Ambia remains an executive committee member. The couple have seen the effect of cuts first hand.

He said: “The council has increased their rates a lot and the association can’t afford to pay and will eventually move out.

“Without its own office, it will become difficult for people to contact the association and difficult for members to hold meetings.”

Our campaign aims to persuade the Department for Communities and Local Government to change the way it allocates money to local authorities each financial year to provide a more balanced distribution.

n To join the campaign, complete the coupon and post it to: Campaign For Fair Grant, Harrow Observer, Gazette House, 28 Bakers Road, Uxbrudge, UB8 1RG or sign up at www.harrow.gov.uk/fairgrant.