About Harrow

Harrow Council is likening the credit crunch to a bumpy car journey by using a simple rev-counter to display the damage being caused.

The dashboard shows how the recession is affecting Harrow's economy and its people.  By monitoring its impact, the council and its partners can plan what help and support is needed for local residents and businesses.

And while we do not know how long the recession will last, the council is keen to ensure its effects in Harrow are minimised. The information is being used to develop a counter recession strategy as the council works towards an economic upturn.

Three easy-to-read dials on the rev-counter give a simple breakdown of specific recession indicators - they gauge unemployment figures, Council Tax benefit levels and the number of empty commercial properties in the borough. Happy and unhappy faces reveal upward and downward trends respectively.

Downward trends do not necessarily mean things are getting worse. For example, the fact more people are seeking mortgage and loan arrears advice because of the recession shows residents are taking individual responsibility in combating the recession so their problems are not made worse.

The rev-counter is updated monthly so the most recent available data can be presented, and was created by Harrow Council as it looks to simplify the way it communicates with residents. It follows an ongoing Plain English campaign to ditch the use of jargon.

An additional 'stereo volume' graphic on the dashboard measures resident pessimism over whether the recession is getting worse and is updated every three months via a dedicated survey, while a separate table gives a breakdown of the borough's performance from a cross section of areas.

Cllr David Ashton, leader of Harrow Council, said: "People need to know what is going on in their area. Part of that means they should have an understanding of how the borough is performing in certain aspects.

"By giving these specifics in an easy-to-read and exciting graphic we can better engage the vast majority of people who do not have the time, or inclination, to sift through council and Government reports to get that information."

Tony McNulty, Employment Minister, is also backing the rev-counter. The Harrow East MP said: "Giving people in Harrow the chance to see at a glance how the borough is doing during the recession is a wonderful idea and I warmly welcome the Dashboard Indicator. I will do all that I can, working with the Council and others, to make sure Harrow gets the real help and support it needs to get through the downturn."

* Sources for the recession dashboard indicators:

No of people on Housing Benefits: Harrow Council/ No of people on JSA: DWP, Crown Copyright/ No of empty commercial properties: Harrow Council/ Library usage: Harrow Council/ Mortgage and secured loan arrear enquiries: Harrow Citizen's Advice Bureau/ New planning applications: Harrow Council/ Business start-up enquiries: Harrow in Business/ Homelessness figures: Harrow Council/ Problems with Council Tax: Harrow Council.