Author Archives: hmgupdated

Citizen Advice’s recent research report on the hidden charges alerts that older people living in care homes risk getting a poor deal for a variety of reasons. They may have physical or mental health conditions which limit their ability to advocate for their own interests. Some care homes give extremely short notice periods for feeContinue reading “Hidden charges in care homes”

Harrow stands on the brink of its biggest regeneration opportunity in decades and needs wider support to deliver the programme in a borough that has diverse population and different but equally important social, cultural and religious aspirations. The following regeneration picture emerges from the information sent to us by the council: Several short and longContinue reading “Regeneration challenges”

Nice to hear that the council has a ‘business-like’ approach (page 32 of the 1,568 pages reports before the cabinet meeting tomorrow)! Surely this means that the ‘going concern’ has well established structure where the chief executive sits between the council Members and the staff as a key adviser to the former and a leaderContinue reading “‘Our approach is now much more business-like’, claims the council”

Our local democracy has its dullest moments when long-worded council reports, not always giving an accurate* picture and costing the residents a fortune, are internally scrutinised in the overview and scrutiny committee meetings, a sort of political arena, generating more paper work. Occasionally the environment becomes somewhat entertaining when the chief officer and leader ofContinue reading “Scrutiny – illusive!”

The government is consulting about proposed changes to the way local authorities in England and Wales invest their members’ pension funds which many say is to block local authorities from making ethical investment decisions relating to the arms trade. The consultation ends on 19 February. These changes would allow central government to block ethical investmentContinue reading “Protect local democracy”

We heard concerns and expressed these about the quality of the recently introduced caddies. Now there are further concerns about these flying all over the place after being emptied because of the strong gusty winds this year. This poses serious safety hazard, especially when they finish up in the streets/ roads and could cause seriousContinue reading “Flying caddies!”

Members of public clap at cabinet decision to continue looking for funding to save arts centre, but @HAConservatives don’t join in. — Sachin Shah (@SachRShah) January 20, 2016 Harrow council cabinet has decided for the Cultura London, an independent charitable trust, to raise funds to redevelop the arts centre that is facing closure as theContinue reading “Saving Harrow Arts Centre not good enough for Tory opposition”

Under the Home Secretary’s drive, her minister Karen Bradley MP, responsible for dealing with various problems associated with the diversity, informs providing support for areas including Harrow that will allow the police and authorities to deal with the local gang and youth violence – a positive reflection on the government before the London elections. WhetherContinue reading “Gang and youth violence in Harrow?”

0 Northwick Park junior doctors played their active part in the national junior doctors’ strike on 12 January, following a powerful protest and rally in London to ‘Save NHS Bursaries’, both expressing bitterness about how badly the NHS has been treated by the governments. “Junior doctors are very important. It is a sect of societyContinue reading “Junior doctors’ strike in Harrow setting”

The Tory group on the council claims that it is the ‘second largest Conservative opposition in London’ but it does not feel that way. The performance of the group that enjoys over £250,000 public money in allowances per year, appears very weak under Cllr Hall’s leadership, considering what they ought to be doing but areContinue reading “Is Harrow opposition good value for money?”