Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG): Harrow Council’s latest publicity drive, branded “Harrow shows up to support end to gender-based violence,” is polished, upbeat and carefully staged. A mayoral opening, a short town-centre walk, partner speeches and safety packs create the appearance of decisive action. But read alongside our earlier article, “Harrow talks tough onContinue reading “Walks, words and wristbands: when Harrow’s VAWG “Day of Action” becomes a publicity exercise”
Category Archives: editorial
£17.4m SEND boost for Harrow welcomed – but can troubled services deliver for children?
Harrow West MP Gareth Thomas has welcomed confirmation that Harrow will receive £17.374 million as part of Labour’s national programme to expand provision for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), promising new specialist places and improved local support. The funding forms part of a multibillion-pound national investment aimed at creating around 50,000 specialistContinue reading “£17.4m SEND boost for Harrow welcomed – but can troubled services deliver for children?”
Much of £11bn Covid scheme fraud ‘beyond recovery’: what does that mean for Harrow?
The Covid Counter Fraud Commissioner’s revelation that nearly £11 billion of Covid-era public money has been lost to fraud and error nationally – with most of it now “beyond recovery” – should prompt serious reflection in every local authority that handled pandemic funds, including Harrow. While the borough received substantial support at the height ofContinue reading “Much of £11bn Covid scheme fraud ‘beyond recovery’: what does that mean for Harrow?”
Harrow Conservatives drift right as Reform looms
The two motions before Harrow Council on 27 November may appear unrelated – the Conservative motion attacking Sadiq Khan over the closure of Pinner Police Station’s volunteer-run front desk, and Labour’s motion condemning national suggestions of deporting legally settled migrants – but together they expose a clear political trend. Harrow’s Conservatives are increasingly echoing theContinue reading “Harrow Conservatives drift right as Reform looms”
Harrow must step up as PCCs are scrapped
The government’s decision to scrap Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) by 2028 has closed the book on a system that never quite worked. Brought in twelve years ago under David Cameron’s “Big Society” vision to make policing more accountable, PCCs were supposed to give the public a greater say in how their communities are policed.Continue reading “Harrow must step up as PCCs are scrapped”
Harrow’s new Station Road paving fails within months – costly design and engineering oversights under fire
The decorative block-paved surface installed on a section of Station Road in Harrow Town Centre was visually appealing when first completed, though concerns were raised at the time about its long-term durability. Just months later, those concerns appear justified: the latest photographs show damaged bricks, widening gaps, and clear signs of subsidence across the recentlyContinue reading “Harrow’s new Station Road paving fails within months – costly design and engineering oversights under fire”
Harrow police station closure – local concern or political theatre?
On the face of it, Harrow Council administration’s decision to launch legal proceedings against the Mayor of London over the planned closure of the borough’s last remaining police front desk seems like a bold defence of local interests. Council leader Paul Osborn has called the move “short-sighted” and “unacceptable,” arguing that closing the Pinner andContinue reading “Harrow police station closure – local concern or political theatre?”
Harrow impact as Planning and Infrastructure Bill 2025 nears finalisation
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill 2025, now at Report Stage in the House of Lords, raises continuing concerns about centralisation, weakened environmental safeguards, and reduced local accountability. These issues are particularly relevant to Harrow, where local planning capacity, green infrastructure, and community participation are central to shaping sustainable development.As the Bill is expected to completeContinue reading “Harrow impact as Planning and Infrastructure Bill 2025 nears finalisation”
From budgets to better streets: the positive impact of joined-up thinking in Harrow
At a time when local authorities across the country are grappling with limited resources, mounting infrastructure backlogs, and increasing demands for transparency and efficiency, the alignment between a cabinet member’s expertise and their area of responsibility has never been more crucial. In Harrow, Councillor David Ashton provides one of the clearest examples of how such alignmentContinue reading “From budgets to better streets: the positive impact of joined-up thinking in Harrow”
Harrow children’s services still in recovery
Harrow’s latest HMI monitoring visit paints a picture of a service on the mend – but not yet out of intensive care. Inspectors found that the Leaving Care Service has made “significant progress” since January, with leaders showing honesty, determination, and a renewed focus on caring for their young people. Yet beneath the optimism liesContinue reading “Harrow children’s services still in recovery”
Harrow Monitoring Group 
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