budgetPressure; // Children's Centre Budget: Decreases with budget pressure // Starting from £750,000 savings, so higher pressure means more 'savings' (less budget) const initialChildrenCentreSavings = 750000; const currentChildrenCentreBudget = initialChildrenCentreSavings * (1 - (budgetPressure / 100)); childrenCentreBudgetDisplay.textContent = `£${currentChildrenCentreBudget.toLocaleString()}`; // Council Leader's Pay Rise: Always 70% leaderPayRiseDisplay.textContent = `70%`; } // Initial call to set up budget calculator display document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', updateBudget); Ealing Council: The Contradiction

Ealing Council: The Contradiction

Explore the fascinating world of Ealing Council's decision-making, where logic takes a holiday and contradictions reign supreme.

The Democratic Möbius Strip: FAQs

Ever feel like you're going in circles trying to understand local democracy? Welcome to the Möbius Strip! Click on questions to reveal the endlessly circular answers.

Who decides about children's centre closures? >
The Cabinet.
Who can change the decision? >
The decision-makers.
Who are the decision-makers? >
The people with authority to make decisions.
Who has that authority? >
The decision-makers.
Why are you closing children's centres? >
Budget pressures.
But your own report says Southall needs more investment, not less. >
That's a different report.
How is closing them protecting them? >
If we don't close them, someone else will close them worse (the Government Commissioners).

The Progressive Budget Calculator

Experience Ealing Council's unique approach to finance! Adjust the "Budget Pressure" slider and see how it mysteriously affects children's centres, while the Council Leader's pay rise remains untouched.

Children's Centres Budget:

Current Budget: £375,000 (down from £750,000)

*Based on a £750,000 savings target from closures.

Council Leader's Pay Rise:

Current Pay Rise: 70% (unchanged)

*This budget is, apparently, "different."

The Council Decision-Making (and Avoidance) Process

A simplified view of how decisions are made, and how accountability is passed around, making democratic options unavailable to residents.

Residents Raise Concerns
"Petition Rules"
Council Receives Petition
"No follow-up questions"
Cabinet (Decision Makers)
"Implementing Officer Recommendations"
Officers (Recommendations)
"Budget Pressures from Govt Policy"
Government Policy (Budget Cuts)
"Community Consultation (ignored)"
Community Consultation (Residents want services)
"Back to Residents"
Residents (Still no influence)
"Repeat Cycle"
The "Unseen Hand" The article suggests decisions are made by "people who didn't officially exist" or through long-term plans (like the 2012 Monopoly game) that nobody officially takes responsibility for.

Break the Loop!

Inspired by the "Save Southall Young Adult Centre" campaign, true change comes from building independent power outside the official channels.

Read the Full Article