Author Archives: hmgupdated

The Call-in notice, challenging the ill-thought and overly forceful Harrow Town Centre Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) decision, signed by 302 residents, has been sent to the Harrow council today (3 June). The PSPO, promoted by a newly appointed inexperienced portfolio-holder and gone through the cabinet stage (27 May), forbids the activities like Amplification ofContinue reading “Heavy-handed Harrow Town Centre Public Spaces Protection Order discredited”

On 1stFebruary 2021, the Borough Wide Public Spaces Protection Order was renewed which included controls around alcohol consumption in public places as well as urinating, defecating and spitting. But now the Harrow Town Centre Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), gone through the cabinet stage (27 May), includes Amplification of music and voice; Financial Agreements (peopleContinue reading “Ill-thought aspects of Harrow Town Centre Public Spaces Protection Order challenged”

One significant but less well publicised aspect of the Harrow Recreation Ground in Harrow is a row of Mayoral Oaks planted by thirteen past Harrow mayors (most now passed away) (slide-show below) (to watch slide-show, click play button below – for full screen, click the square button at bottom right) : With the time, treesContinue reading “A Harrow heritage desperately needs restoration”

Marilyn Ashton, a Harrow councillor, used newspaper space (click the box above and scroll down to ‘comments’) and commented being unhappy with the response to her cabinet question to the newly appointed councillor Peymana Assad for community cohesion, crime & enforcement. “It is appreciated that days after the recent escalation of anti-Semitic incidents in theContinue reading “Harrow councillor questioned about anti-semitism!”

“Judging by the extent of complaints and findings of misconduct by the party itself that relate to anti-Muslim words and conduct, anti-Muslim sentiment remains a problem within the party” says the review by Professor Swaran Singh, a former equality and human rights commissioner, published today.The review also found that the Tories complaints system is “inContinue reading “Investigation report finds Anti-Muslim sentiment within Tory Party”

Despite Labour being badly punished nationally because of the Labour revolt against its perceived right-wing leadership, Brent and Harrow GLA seat is held by Labour. As expected, Brent councillor and a council cabinet portfolio holder Krupesh Hirani (photo) has won the race mainly because of the nature of the seat and that Tory opponent karateContinue reading “Brent and Harrow seat remains Labour!”

“The imbalance between the Mayor’s powers and that of Assembly Members is stark. Assembly Members require power and recognition they sadly lack in the current governance arrangements. And it is my firm belief, that a fundamental overhaul is needed to address that imbalance” states Navin Shah (Lab), retiring Brent and Harrow London assembly member.Mr ShahContinue reading “London assembly needs overhaul, says a retiring member”

Good to see periodic text and video messages from the council leader and the director of public health about the infection, vaccination etc. Whilst the information they provide is useful, responding to Covid-19 is more than this and includes services developed new procedures and ways, and working with others where needed, to provide more appropriateContinue reading “Harrow council could do more in responding to Covid-19”

As the leading academics cited in the government’s controversial and seemingly pre-determined race report says they were not properly consulted, tweeter is busy in highlighting a Labour’s ‘racist’ leaflet.A government-commissioned review into racism has concluded the United Kingdom is not an institutionally racist country, prompting a backlash from critics who described the findings as anContinue reading “Racism has no political boundaries!”

A recent meeting of the Harrow Council health and wellbeing board heard that the borough’s vaccination programme will be predominantly based at Byron Hall in Harrow when the vaccination at Hives and Tithe Farm would cease on April 30. Therefore, it is worrying to hear that those who were called for their second dose ofContinue reading “Byron Hall, potential Covid-19 vaccination hub, could do better!”