Category Archives: News

This Shelter leaflet reminds that the next Mayor of London can build the homes that our children will be able to afford. Demand for housing in Harrow is increasing, particularly as the changes to welfare benefits affect people who live both in affordable housing (renting from the council or a housing association) and private rentedContinue reading “Sign for more affordable homes!”

David Cameron’s overreaction to the tax credits defeat in the Lords – promising a “rapid review” of the relationship between the Lords and the Commons – is a matter of concern for all democrats among us. But this is not likely the reason why the Harrow East MP Bob Blackman voted to support a backbenchContinue reading “Blackman tax credits drama!”

My Community E-Purse project (MyCeP), went live in Harrow for all new service users in September 2014, provides an online personal budget and support planning tool that enables the users to receive a personal budget and purchase services from hundreds of providers, all in one place using a PayPal electronic e-purse. Like other councils, HarrowContinue reading “‘My Community E-Purse’ take-up is set to improve!”

Following the report ‘Shaky confidence in Harrow CCG transparency’, the under secretary of state for care quality Ben Gummer MP has noted concerns about a potential conflict of interest when awarding primary care services contracts by the CCGs. Given the following information (mostly through the FoI process), a reassurance by the chair of the HarrowContinue reading “Potential conflict of interest at the Harrow CCG?”

Ambiguous traffic signs about restricted right turn at the junction of Gayton Road and Station Road, Harrow set in confusion. Any vehicle, other than those permitted, seen contravening the regulation is recorded and subsequently served with a penalty charge notice (PCN) at a £65 charge which rises to £130 if not paid within 14 days.Continue reading “£65 trap!”

We understand that on Monday an incident took place at the Civic Centre where there was significant criminal damage to the building. The entrance door and several windows at the front of the building were smashed and a parked police car was set alight. A 40 year old male has been arrested and is inContinue reading “Civic Centre recovering well after door & windows smash!”

The achievement gap between the disadvantaged children and others in Harrow schools fluctuates but has remained a matter of serious concern. Following is an emerging pattern (source): A typical 17% gap in achieving the National Curriculum level 4 (average for 11 years old) in 2014 in a high achieving primary school and somewhat lower gapContinue reading “Narrowing the education gap, a biting challenge for Harrow”

At the Conservatives London Assembly hustings, Brent Councillor Joel Davidson defeated Harrow Councillor Ameet Jogia by 17 votes, despite Cllr Jogia was heavily promoted by the Harrow East MP Bob Blackman and his associates, primarily to block Brent candidates. The newly selected candidate for the Brent and Harrow GLA constituency is from a Conservative splitContinue reading “Harrow Tories defeated at GLA hustings again”

London Mayoral candidates in place, now a buzz about the candidates for London Assembly elections next year. The Brent and Harrow constituency has never been short of dramatic events. In 2008, Navin Shah (Lab), a Harrow councillor at the time, beat the sitting GLA member Bob Blackman (Con), despite the Brent conservatives were not fullyContinue reading “GLA hopefuls”

While the corporate director community post was advertised internally and externally and an external candidate has been appointed, the corporate director people post has been advertised only internally with a predictable outcome. As expected, an internal candidate has applied for the £135,000 fixed term corporate director people post – most probably the interim corporate directorContinue reading “Council not testing the market for senior management appointments”