7:20am Friday 12th March 2010
By Tristan Kirk
A TRUST set up in memory of a murdered Hendon political activist has been turned down for funding for a project to teach pupils about community and being a good citizen.
The Alan Senitt Memorial Trust had asked Harrow Council for £10,000 to run a series of workshops in schools, encouraging young people to take an active role in their local community.
The project was piloted in 2008 and 2009 across schools in Harrow, Watford, Hayes and Bushey to wide acclaim, and the trust is hoping to continued the work in 2010.
However, council officers have recommended the bid is turned down, even saying they are “not aware” of the trust and the work it does.
Mr Senitt was murdered in Washington DC defending a female friend from a gang in July 2006. He had previously stood as a council candidate in the elections that May.
His mother Karen, who is honorary secretary of the trust, said: “I'm surprised they say they haven't heard of us, especially as the deputy mayor was at our last fundraising event.
“We hadn't applied for full costs because we were aware it covered more than one borough.
“This will mean we will have to put on more fundraising events to reach the money needed.”
The trust is hoping to expand the scheme beyond the four schools who helped pilot it last year, including Nower Hill High School, but will need the money to bring in seminar leaders and pay for administrative costs.
Council officers have stated: “The applicant has not identified or demonstrated the need for the service”, but Mrs Senitt insisted the scheme was very successful and feedback from the schools involved was that it had a powerful effect on pupils.
A final decision on funding for all grant applications will be made at a cabinet meeting on Thursday, March 18, but a panel of councillors who review the officer report did not see a reason to change the recommendations for the Alan Senitt Memorial Trust.
His parents, from Pinner, set up the trust as a way of continuing Mr Senitt's work in education and building stronger communities which had been a major part of his life.
Councillor Jean Lammiman, who is in charge of community and cultural services, said: “Although we would like to, we are not able to offer every applicant a grant. Therefore every application is assessed in a number of different areas.
“The Alan Senitt Memorial Trust was one of a number of community groups who did not meet all the requirements but they were given the opportunity to read out their petition at the meeting.
"They can however appeal this decision, along with any other community groups who are in a similar position."
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