Although I agree that this new method of disbursing local funds seems much less transparent, perhaps we should give it a chance. The Acton handouts seem to be quite uncontroversial and the Lib Dems, who felt the new system were targetting them, don't seem to have kicked up a fuss.
I'd be interested to know when the Ealing Gazette was an effective guardian of the public interest. I have lived in the borough for over 30 years and when I first moved here it was only worth picking up for the sports coverage.