Matthew was pleased to accompany Mill Hill Councillor Val Duschinsky to open a new play area at Dollis Primary School in Mill Hill.

As the Ward Councillor, Val made an application to the Hendon Area Committee to provide funding. This came from monies raised by the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) that is paid by developers and others to support the local community. The previous Conservative-led Council increased the amount to be made available to £400,000 per year.

The funding is available for a wide variety of projects to develop the infrastructure for the community and residents. Recent examples have included the restoration of community centres, park pavilions, new play equipment in parks and schools and tree trails and parks projects. 

Matthew said: "I am a very strong low-tax Conservative but the CIL funding scheme is not used for revenue funding so is spent on capital projects that benefit the community. Councillor Duschinsky has been imaginative in using the scheme and responsive to the needs of our constituents and I congratulate her on the scheme. This will benefit our children by increasing the amount of exercise they take each day and I look forward to other schemes being created in the Hendon constituency."