hmgupdated

Under Improvement Notice Harrow children’s services need wider safeguarding collaboration

Given that local councils have a statutory duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children within their area, it is appropriate to find how they have responded to the government publications ‘Child protection in religious organisations and setting Investigation Report’, and ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’.Their responsive action could include developing good working relationshipsContinue reading “Under Improvement Notice Harrow children’s services need wider safeguarding collaboration”

Harrow history: ‘Ugandan Asians’ welcomed

Would be good to mark the 60 years of Harrow council history in terms of the council’s progression over the years rather than raising emotions through sociocultural rhetoric, apparently to attract Reform UK potential voters!Therefore, we have recently highlighted some of the council’s inceptions, like, the computer services, twinning with Douai and annual united actContinue reading “Harrow history: ‘Ugandan Asians’ welcomed”

Harrow cabinet member for children’s services needs to go!

Minister for Children and Families, Jenet Daby MP, is disappointed that Harrow’s children’s services have overall been judged to be inadequate by Ofsted early this year.Now the Department for Education has issued an improvement notice to the council – a very serious step.In her letter to the leader of Harrow council, made public by GarethContinue reading “Harrow cabinet member for children’s services needs to go!”

Government’s revised NPPF helps Harrow planning regime

In arguing to grant retrospective application for the retention of a three-storey building at 79 Bessborough Road, Harrow (PL/0952/24), officer report says that the government revised National Planning Policy Framework [NPPF 2024] is a “material consideration in the determination of this application” [applications were refused in 2022 for a variety of reasons]. The revised NPPFContinue reading “Government’s revised NPPF helps Harrow planning regime”

Remembering Grenfell – but in Harrow?

Around 5,000 people, including bereaved families, survivors, gathered in west London on Saturday to mark the 8th anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire.Under London mayor direction, Trafalgar Square was lit in green to honour lives lost in the Grenfell Tower fire and the bereaved, survivors and residents whose lives were changed forever.However, there are concernsContinue reading “Remembering Grenfell – but in Harrow?”

NHS waiting list falling

The NHS data published on 12 June 2025 show that NHS waiting list has fallen to its lowest level in two years as health chiefs hailed staff for continuing to tackle demand and drive progress for patients. The waiting list has fallen to 7.39 million, down from 7.42 million – the first time the waitingContinue reading “NHS waiting list falling”

Harrow land use needs rethinking, ‘putting residents first’!

Since Harrow council administration is participating in a review of London’s green belt led by Sir Sadiq Khan’s office, would they be rethinking about the Harrow’s Core Strategy and Local Plan? This becomes pertinent as the review aims to assess and potentially revise the green belt designation in London, including areas within Harrow. The mayorContinue reading “Harrow land use needs rethinking, ‘putting residents first’!”

Harrow’s green belt and homelessness!

Good that, unlike the rest of the Tory London councils (four), Harrow is participating in a review of London’s green belt led by Sir Sadiq Khan’s office. The review aims to assess and potentially revise the green belt designation in London, including areas within Harrow. The mayor of London says current rules prohibiting development onContinue reading “Harrow’s green belt and homelessness!”

Congratulations on your achievement, Cllr Lammiman!

Could new powers for councils to combat fly-tippers help Harrow waste ‘crisis’?

The government has announced a new crackdown on fly-tippers, with tougher sentences of up to five years in prison for those found illicitly transporting waste. Under the new powers to local councils to combat fly-tipping, councils will work with the police to identify, seize and crush vehicles of waste criminals. Drones and mobile CCTV cameras willContinue reading “Could new powers for councils to combat fly-tippers help Harrow waste ‘crisis’?”