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Harrow Council faces criticism over Good Friday message

Harrow Council is facing criticism over its latest Good Friday message, with critics arguing that the wording reflects a calculated attempt to appeal to Christian voters while sidestepping the theological and historical weight of the occasion. The message, which states that “Good Friday – the Friday before Easter Sunday is an important day for ChristiansContinue reading “Harrow Council faces criticism over Good Friday message”

Governance by silence and token councillor sanctions: when “Putting Residents First” rings hollow

Harrow Council’s leadership continues to claim it is “putting residents first,” yet its approach to communication suggests a model driven more by managing appearances and ensuring compliance than by genuine openness. While certain audiences are actively engaged through curated, sometimes nationalistically framed messaging, the wider public is left navigating an opaque and fragmented picture onContinue reading “Governance by silence and token councillor sanctions: when “Putting Residents First” rings hollow”

Two years without assurance: why Harrow’s accounts still can’t be verified

Independent audit exists to give the public confidence that their money is being properly managed. In Harrow Council, independent audit assurance has not been provided for two consecutive years. This is not normal. It is not routine. And it is not acceptable. The Council has published its accounts, but the independent verification that gives thoseContinue reading “Two years without assurance: why Harrow’s accounts still can’t be verified”

Harrow Council faces fresh questions over children’s services failings as evidence of improvement remains elusive

Serious questions are being raised about accountability and transparency at Harrow Council after a damning sequence of findings exposed weaknesses in children’s services, yet left little public evidence that meaningful improvements have followed. In this context, the Council’s emphasis on civic messaging and nationalistic displays, typically appealing to local pride and identity, has drawn criticismContinue reading “Harrow Council faces fresh questions over children’s services failings as evidence of improvement remains elusive”

Ofsted’s second monitoring visit exposes deeper failures in Harrow Children’s Services – with signs of deterioration

The second monitoring visit by Ofsted to Harrow’s children’s services (their letter of 12 March 2026, copied to the Department for Education) confirms that the problems identified in early 2025 were not isolated weaknesses but symptoms of wider systemic failings. While leadership changes are under way, they remain too recent to influence practice, and theContinue reading “Ofsted’s second monitoring visit exposes deeper failures in Harrow Children’s Services – with signs of deterioration”

Call for peace from Harrow MP contrasts with divisive rhetoric at home

At a time when some Conservative politicians are using social media platforms and sympathetic right-wing outlets to inflame imported communal tensions for political gain, alongside what critics describe as racially charged efforts to undermine London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, attacks that have intensified following the election of a dynamic new mayor in New York City, itContinue reading “Call for peace from Harrow MP contrasts with divisive rhetoric at home”

Unholy divisive politics over Harrow’s Holi celebration

An attempt to politicise a community celebration in Harrow has drawn criticism from local voices who warn against fuelling division for political advantage. In a statement at the House of Commons, Bob Blackman, Conservative MP for Harrow East, alleged that “thugs from the Central Mosque attacked the annual Holi celebration” and claimed that the MetropolitanContinue reading “Unholy divisive politics over Harrow’s Holi celebration”

New Contact Centre opens the door, but will Harrow council listen?

Harrow Council has announced plans to open a new Contact Centre on Gayton Road, promising residents a long-awaited central point where they can seek help face to face. For many residents, the restoration of a physical customer service hub will be welcome news. In recent years the borough has relied heavily on digital forms, callContinue reading “New Contact Centre opens the door, but will Harrow council listen?”

Labour opposes Harrow council budget but puts forward no alternative

Conservative councillors at Harrow Council have approved a budget that will increase council tax by 4.99% in 2026/27 and expand council borrowing. The increase means the average Band D council tax bill will rise to £2,511, up by almost £500 over the past four years, an overall increase of around 20% since 2022. The budgetContinue reading “Labour opposes Harrow council budget but puts forward no alternative”

Harrow report admits financial incentives may prolong restrictive placements for disabled children

A Cabinet report at Harrow Council has raised serious safeguarding and governance questions after acknowledging that financial incentives in the residential care market may encourage providers to keep disabled children in highly restrictive placements longer than necessary. The report, “In-House Residential Provision for Children with Disabilities,” considered by Cabinet on 18 December 2025, was authoredContinue reading “Harrow report admits financial incentives may prolong restrictive placements for disabled children”