News – Harrow Monitoring Group

City Hall welcomes Harrow Monitoring Group’s call for more accessible planning documents and consultations

City Hall has issued a formal acknowledgment of the Harrow Monitoring Group’s recent submission to the Mayor of London, commending the organisation for its “important” and “constructive” contribution to the ongoing debate about accessible and inclusive public consultation in the planning system. In a detailed response (MGLA121125-8307), London Plan Manager Marissa Ryan-Hernandez thanked the GroupContinue reading “City Hall welcomes Harrow Monitoring Group’s call for more accessible planning documents and consultations”

Arise makes its mark: Harrow’s new political party launches energised first canvass in Marlborough Ward

Arise, Harrow’s newest political force, burst onto the local scene on 7 December 2025 with its first canvassing session in Marlborough ward, the seat currently held by the Labour opposition leader on Harrow Council. The party, founded on 27 August and launched in Harrow with the support of Jeremy Corbyn MP, is led by formerContinue reading “Arise makes its mark: Harrow’s new political party launches energised first canvass in Marlborough Ward”

Harrow’s apparent rightward shift leaves vulnerable children exposed as poverty crisis deepens

The government’s new child poverty strategy risks having limited impact in Harrow, where rising child poverty, increasing numbers of children living in B&Bs and mounting failures across children’s services continue to place vulnerable families at risk. The borough’s recent political direction – giving an ever-stronger sense of a council shifting to the right with inadequateContinue reading “Harrow’s apparent rightward shift leaves vulnerable children exposed as poverty crisis deepens”

From ULEZ to police stations: Harrow Tories revive costly anti-Khan warfare

Harrow Council’s 27 November meeting became the latest stage for a familiar political drama, as the borough’s Conservatives once again used local issues to fuel an anti–Sadiq Khan campaign – likely under growing pressure from Reform UK. During debate on their motion opposing the closure of Pinner Police Station’s volunteer-run front desk, Tory leader CllrContinue reading “From ULEZ to police stations: Harrow Tories revive costly anti-Khan warfare”

Harrow children’s services plunged back into instability as another director departs

Harrow Council is facing renewed turmoil in its children’s services following the departure of the Director of Children’s Services, prompting the emergency appointment of Managing Director Alex Dewsnap as interim DCS. The statutory role, required under the Children Act 2004, is now being filled on an interim basis “to ensure continuity of leadership” while theContinue reading “Harrow children’s services plunged back into instability as another director departs”

Harrow renters win major protections as the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 becomes law

Harrow West MP Gareth Thomas has today declared: “A promise made, a promise delivered” after the landmark Renters’ Rights Act received Royal Assent. The reforms mark a significant shift for renters across Harrow, a borough where around 88,000 households rent privately and where high London rents, bidding wars, and insecure tenancies have long created pressureContinue reading “Harrow renters win major protections as the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 becomes law”

Restoring real respect: local action revives Roxeth Hill war graves

As others turn Remembrance into a stage for nationalistic gestures, Harrow on the Hill Labour councillors have quietly worked with local residents and Christ Church Roxeth to restore a forgotten corner of Harrow’s history. Just in time for Remembrance Sunday, the Roxeth Hill war graves now stand clear and dignified once more – a lastingContinue reading “Restoring real respect: local action revives Roxeth Hill war graves”

Another blow for Harrow: Ombudsman exposes failures in children’s services

Harrow Council’s crisis-hit children’s services have been dealt another blow after the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) found serious fault in the way it handled a family’s complaint about respite care. The ruling, published in July 2025, comes amid continuing fallout from Ofsted’s “inadequate” judgement and a government improvement notice that has placedContinue reading “Another blow for Harrow: Ombudsman exposes failures in children’s services”

Pamela Fitzpatrick slams Labour MP for promoting private health firm

Pamela Fitzpatrick, director of Jeremy Corbyn’s Peace and Justice Project and founder of Harrow’s new grassroots political party Arise, has sharply criticised local MP Gareth Thomas after his public visit to Cygnet Hospital in Harrow this week. Thomas, Labour MP for Harrow West, praised the hospital for “working closely with the NHS and community partnersContinue reading “Pamela Fitzpatrick slams Labour MP for promoting private health firm”

Ofsted tightens focus on SEND: providers warned to raise inclusion standards

Ofsted has signalled a tougher stance on inclusion and SEND provision under its renewed inspection framework, warning that schools and education providers will now face closer scrutiny of how they meet the needs of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). In a detailed response to Harrow Monitoring Group’s publication, Rebuilding on Weak FoundationsContinue reading “Ofsted tightens focus on SEND: providers warned to raise inclusion standards”