Author Archives: hmgupdated

Harrow Council chief executive Michael Lockwood has been confirmed as the first director general of the new Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). Major reforms to the IPCC – including its renaming as the IOPC – were announced by Prime Minister Theresa May during her time as Home Secretary. The IOPC will have new powers,Continue reading “Harrow chief to lead new police watchdog”

The public outcry about the serious crimes in Harrow, including fatal knife crimes, more is certain parts of the borough, reflects badly on the effectiveness of the Harrow council and police in addressing the crimes. According to the police figures, there were 177 knife crimes in Harrow in 2016. Street-level crimes and anti-social behaviour inContinue reading “Harrow crimes: ‘enough is enough’”

In the hate crime awareness week running till 21st October, Harrow council news release informs, “Joint partnership and work between the council, schools, youth groups, police, community leaders and the voluntary sector has helped build the strong community relations we have today”. But nationally the number of hate crimes in England and Wales has increasedContinue reading “Hate crime remains a challenge”

Harrow GP surgeries to offer high quality services which meet users demands, manage expectations and be responsive to meet the needs of the different communities in Harrow, finds the Healthwatch Harrow, commissioned by the Harrow council ‘to gain an understanding of patients and service users experience of GP services within the borough’. Healthwatch research reportContinue reading “GP service needs to be more responsive!”

Camrose primary school in Edgware has received award for excellence in teaching assistants from the education consultancy Optimus Education, a part of the commercial education services provider Prospects. In awarding for the best practice with teacher assistants (TA), Optimus Director of Education Andrew Thraves said: “During my visit, I was very struck with the thoughtfulContinue reading “Well done Camrose primary school!”

Councillor Paul Osborn, newly elected leader of the opposition Tory group on the council, has sensibly appointed shadow portfolio holders. One big change is that Cllr Hall, highly controversial previous leader of the Tory group who stepped down following our call ‘Time for Cllr Hall to step down’, is not even a shadow portfolio holder. CllrContinue reading “Cllr Hall out of shadow portfolios”

The avoidable Grenfell disaster has alerted how easy it is for the authorities to become less connected with all those they should be caring and supporting. Harrow council’s Community Safety, Violence Vulnerability and Exploitation Strategy 2017–2020 highlights a number of socio-cultural problems to deal with without sharply focusing on why things are as they are,Continue reading “‘Two kingdoms’ situation in Harrow!”

Contrary to the local Labour wishes, Labour National Executive Committee has declared Harrow East, one of the 46 marginal target parliamentary seats, as an all-women shortlist seat, practically eliminating a strong local contender like the London Assembly member Navin Shah to stand against the sitting MP Mr Blackman. Mr Shah who impressively slashed Bob BlackmanContinue reading “Sigh of relief for Blackman!”

Further to our report ‘New waste disposal plans’ in July,  the Harrow council has decided that all Harrow residents be required to produce proof of identification that they lived in the borough in order to dispose of household waste free of charge. The ID to be presented on entry could be a Council Tax Bill, aContinue reading “Show ID to use the dump yard & pay for some waste disposal”

Harrow East Tony MP Bob Blackman (photo) often uses Hive situations to stir up community emotions – particularly in the significantly Asian populated Edgware and Queensbury wards – for political gains. This time, he raised superficial concerns about Hive and accused Harrow council for inaction at the Commons on 7 September, claiming breaches of theContinue reading “Blackman slapped over Hive!”