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?”
Author Archives: hmgupdated
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”
Council rebuts Labour claims following cabinet meeting
Following the Cabinet meeting of Harrow Council on 19 February 2026, the Labour opposition alleged that a local resident was branded a “disgrace” by the Council’s Deputy Leader after raising, through a public question, the case of a mother and baby reportedly hospitalised due to a damaged pavement in West Harrow. An opposition press releaseContinue reading “Council rebuts Labour claims following cabinet meeting”
Brent’s mayoral leadership fosters shared belonging across borough borders
Brent’s youngest mayor in history, Cllr Ryan Hack, has significantly strengthened the borough’s leadership through a clear commitment to inclusion, visibility, and genuine community participation. His approach focuses on uniting residents through dialogue, cultural celebrations, and collaborative local initiatives that reflect the borough’s rich diversity. By engaging across faith groups, youth networks, voluntary organizations, andContinue reading “Brent’s mayoral leadership fosters shared belonging across borough borders”
‘Quiet Vehicles’, real risks: City Hall steps up for blind and partially sighted Londoners
It is encouraging to see that London City Hall is taking seriously the challenges created by the rapid growth of electric and hybrid vehicles on London’s roads, particularly the safety implications for people with sight loss.Cleaner vehicles deliver undeniable environmental gains. However, their reduced engine noise introduces a material safety risk for blind and partiallyContinue reading “‘Quiet Vehicles’, real risks: City Hall steps up for blind and partially sighted Londoners”
Cabinet Member stays as Harrow children’s services failures deepen
Harrow Council’s children’s services have faced sustained scrutiny since 2022, culminating in an Ofsted judgement of “inadequate” and a formal government improvement notice. Inspectors identified serious weaknesses, particularly in services for care leavers, citing poor planning, inconsistent oversight and failures to safeguard vulnerable young people transitioning into adulthood. Although two areas relating to younger childrenContinue reading “Cabinet Member stays as Harrow children’s services failures deepen”
Millions visit Wembley – local boroughs bear the cost, but will they share the benefit?
Harrow should back Brent Council’s call (photo from their campaign) for any overnight Visitor Levy to be rooted in fiscal fairness and meaningful local retention. What happens in Brent has clear consequences for Harrow, as the effects of major events at Wembley extend well beyond administrative boundaries. The Government’s Overnight Visitor Levy consultation is thereforeContinue reading “Millions visit Wembley – local boroughs bear the cost, but will they share the benefit?”
Harrow Council’s 70% leasehold hike sparks outrage as families hit breaking point
Harrow Council is facing mounting criticism after proposing service charge increases of up to 70 percent for leaseholders in council-owned blocks, a move residents warn will heap unsustainable pressure on families already struggling with rising living costs.Harrow West MP Gareth Thomas (photo), who says he has heard first-hand from affected residents, said the new costsContinue reading “Harrow Council’s 70% leasehold hike sparks outrage as families hit breaking point”
Arise unveils council candidates across Harrow ahead of 2026 vote
A new political force has stepped onto the Harrow stage. Arise has announced its full list of council candidates for the May 2026 local elections, standing in four wards and positioning itself as a grassroots alternative to Labour and the Conservatives. Launched in Harrow last year with the backing of Jeremy Corbyn MP, Arise isContinue reading “Arise unveils council candidates across Harrow ahead of 2026 vote”
You must be logged in to post a comment.