Local councillors and residents have strongly objected to the planning application for the installation of a 5G mast in proximity of residents, an old people’s home and a primary school at the junction of Wynchgate &  Wilsmere Drive, Harrow Weald.
The installation of the Street Pole will also need ancillary works, including the equipment cabinet, bowler cabinet and a transmission cabinet fitted.
Dozens of local residents are worried that this development would have a much greater impact on the wellbeing and health of the residents, the aesthetics of the area as well as the value of their properties. Objections have been raised individually and collectively.
“I personally have lived at my property for over 40 years and have never before been so frightened of anything so troubling happening in my road and which will have an adverse effect on me!!” said a distressed resident.
In their collective letter of objection, local councillors have said: “the siting and appearance of this proposed mast is inappropriate for this area, and would have a detrimental impact on local character and amenity.
“At 18m high, the height of a six-storey building, the proposed mast would tower above this local residential suburban area and be an eyesore.”
Following the residents’ alert that the International Commission (ICNIRP) guidelines are due to be revised and replaced this year, the councillors urge that “the ICNIRP exposure guidelines are rigorously adhered to in the assessment of this proposal, as set out in the National Planning Policy Framework, to ensure that local residents are fully protected and are not exposed to any harmful impacts”.
Harrow council needs to be mindful of the residents’ rights of legal proceedings. For example, costs of £13k were recently awarded against Brighton and Hove City council when they failed to address the health impacts of a proposed mast.

After the announcement of Prince Harry’s memoir SPARE, likely out on 10th January next year, London Assembly member Susan Hall, also a toxic Harrow councillor, attacked Prince Harry.
The Express reports that Hall said the Duke of Sussex could damage his own family – his wife, Meghan Markle, and children – with the book, and wished he “finally grew up and realised we must not bite the hand that fed us”.
SPARE appears to be a reference to the phrase ‘heir and a spare’ – suggesting his attitude to his place in the Royal Family.
Conservative Cllr Hall, a backbencher in the ruling group on the council, is known to have a needle for someone from time to time, for example she seems to be keen for someone to challenge the leader of the Conservative group and the Harrow council Cllr Paul Osborne, a gentleman who had contested her before.
Prince Harry is hoping to support charities, including Sentebale and WellChild, with proceeds from his sales of his book sales.
The Duke of Sussex has previously said: “I’m writing this not as the prince I was born, but as the man I have become.
“I’ve worn many hats over the years, both literally and figuratively, and my hope is that in telling my story – the highs and lows, the mistakes, the lessons learned – I can help show that no matter where we come from, we have more in common than we think.
“I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to share what I’ve learned over the course of my life so far, and excited for people to read a first-hand account of my life that’s accurate and wholly truthful.”

The council in its meeting last month conferred the title of Honorary Alderman of the London Borough of Harrow Council upon Camilla Bath in recognition of the eminent and distinguished service she has rendered to the London Borough of Harrow over a continuous period of thirty-two years as a Harrow councillor.
Being Honorary Alderman brings several privileges, including: to attend as a spectator at meetings of the council and to have a seat reserved for this purpose, and to receive invitations to all civic and social events to which Members of the council are invited. The honour is held for the life of the recipient
The council has previously conferred the title of Honorary Aldermen in July 1986, on former Conservative councillors Frank Rees and Nan Rees. Both served the council for a long time and have since died.
In May 2006 the council conferred the title of Honorary Alderman on former Labour councillor Keith Toms in recognition of eminent and distinguished services rendered to the borough over a continuous period of 32 years as a councillor. Alderman Toms who also served as Deputy Mayor and Mayor of the Borough has recently died.
In June 2014 the Council conferred the title of Honorary Alderman on former Conservative councillor Richard Romain in recognition of the eminent and distinguished services rendered to the Borough over a continuous period of 32 years as a Councillor.

Many side street shops around the Harrow town centre do not enjoy the full benefits of one hour’s free on-street parking, as the parking slots are taken by those using the town centre.
“My customers often don’t find the meter parking spaces because these are taken by those who go to the town centre which is a short walk or bus ride away from here” said a leading Pinner Road shopkeeper who did not wish to be named.
Similar comments were made by some shops on the Headstone Road and Station Road in Harrow.
From 1 August, one hour’s free parking is available from Pay & Display machines in the borough to give businesses the boost they need following the pandemic.
Before the last council elections, Conservatives promised one-hour free parking, both on the street and at the council public car parks.
However, after acquiring the council administration though they kept the promise of one hour’s free parking across high streets but have deferred free parking at the car parks, subject to the outcome of a feasibility study.
When enquired about one-hour free parking at the council public car parks, leader of the Council, Cllr Paul Osborn assured it is coming by the end of this year.
“While the software change at the street parking meters is easy, technical changes at the council public car parks need more time” Cllr Osborn explained.
Hopefully the one hour’s free parking at the council public car parks, when done, would lessen the use of the side street one hour’s free parking spaces by those who park there to use the Harrow town centre rather than the local shops.

While those controlling the Labour Party from outside succeeded in manipulating the British media, the bold and comprehensive Al Jazeera investigation report The Labour Files reveals how senior officials in one of the two key political parties in the UK ran a coup by stealth against the elected leader of the party.
And that the candidates for key political roles were blocked, and constituency groups suspended as the party’s central office sought to control the elected leadership.

The investigation report also makes extended references to Harrow’s Labour in-party conflicts and oppression, naming Gareth Thomas MP and a few Harrow Labour councillors (from 29.11 to 33.47 on the video timeline).
“The files reveal the role of local Labour MP Gareth Thomas in expelling members of his own party. Thomas sent a letter to the general secretary asking for the activists in Harrow to be treated more harshly” says the investigation documentary.
A victim identified in ‘The Labour Files: The Purge I Al Jazeera Investigations’, Pamela Fitzpatrick, ex Harrow councillor and Labour parliamentary candidate, said:  “I was shown much more evidence by @AJEnglish than is revealed in the documentaries – a lot of it very disturbing – I now know the names of the 2 local people who in Summer 2021 submitted the complaints which led to my expulsion. Submitted the same day, same time, same wording and containing untruths. These complaints were acted upon almost instantly by GLU and were clearly organised. There are some truly dreadful people in the Harrow Labour Party.”
“There may be a general election very soon, and Labour indeed may win because the Tories are doing so badly. That’s precisely why it is vitally important to deal with the corruption, racism, and anti-democratic activities in the Labour Party that have been uncovered by Al Jazeera” said Ms Fitzpatrick.
Many are taken aback by the interjection of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its direct, uncompromising, unflinching and somewhat humiliating criticism of the government’s fiscal plan that suggests the plan was economically risky, it said it was likely to increase inequality and recommended taking an “early opportunity” for a re-evaluation of the policies in the coming weeks, on a specific date.

The newly appointed Patrick (Pat) Flaherty has started this week as the 4^th substantial chief executive officer of the Harrow council in the last 18 years.
Mr Flaherty joins the council from Somerset County Council, where he has been chief executive for almost a decade and held leadership roles in areas including regeneration, transport and health.
Mr Flaherty replaces Sean Harriss who worked for three and a half years under the last Labour administration.
After his appointment to Harrow, Mr Flaherty said: “I am delighted and honoured to be invited to join the London Borough of Harrow as its chief executive officer.
“It is clearly a very exciting time to be joining, and I look forward to working with our councillors and staff, our partners and the wonderful community of Harrow to make a real difference”.
The current local authority was first elected in 1964, a year before formally coming into its powers and prior to the creation of the London Borough of Harrow on 1 April 1965. Since then, the Harrow population profile has hugely changed, for example further to census 2011, projected Indian population 29.1%, other Asians 12.1% and Pakistani 3.9%. The council members population is equally very diverse!
Councillor Paul Osborn, leader of Harrow Council, previously said: “This is the start of an exciting new chapter in Harrow’s story.
“As an administration, we are keen to begin working hard for the people of Harrow and doing so in partnership with our borough’s new chief executive”.
Given the council administration’s emphasis on ‘putting residents first’, hope Mr Flaherty would look into an apparent cultural change at the civic centre under the last administration where the residents were apparently discouraged from contacting the council officers directly (for example the contact details on the official council letters are disbanded) and the local residents struggle to get prompt, efficient or satisfactory response to their queries etc.

The Jewish Free School in Kenton (marked being in Harrow but under the Brent local authority) is ranked 78 in the table of all 396 UK state secondary schools based on their latest average performance in public examinations (GCSEs, A-Levels, and other exams).
It is 50 in the comparison list of all 396 UK state secondary schools based on their latest A-Level results in 2022. Only Nower Hill (at 226) and Bentley Wood (at 240) from Harrow are on this list.
The JFS has made good progress from the previous Ofsted inspection grade of “Inadequate” to good in April 2022. Inadequate means the school is failing to provide an acceptable quality of education and care for children, and will need to make significant improvements immediately.
The Ofsted inspection found the school senior leaders have well-established and clear expectations for the content and delivery of the school’s curriculum. Leaders, including members of the governing body, have acted swiftly and effectively to address weaknesses identified at the time of the school’s previous inspection.
In the top ten list of the state secondary schools in England, there are only two schools from the surrounding areas, both in the Labour controlled Barnet:
The Henrietta Barnett School: dubbed as one of the “magnificent seven”, the school was founded by Dame Henrietta Barnett in 1911 to improve girls’ education. It has since been recognised year after year as one of the best schools in the country, with high acceptance rates at Oxbridge and top achievements at GCSEs and A-Levels.
Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet: it has been consistently ranked among the top schools in the UK. Queen Elizabeth’s School topped the A-Level league tables for five years in a row, and it is consistently ranked among the top 5 schools in the UK.
Harrow schools once in a prominent place in the comparison tables, have gradually lost their place over the years.

From 1 August, one hour’s free parking is available from Pay & Display machines in the borough. It is not available at council car parks yet.
Before the last council elections, Conservatives promised one-hour free parking, both on the street and at the council public car parks.
However, after acquiring the council administration though they kept the promise of one hour’s free parking across high streets but have deferred free parking at the car parks, subject to the outcome of a feasibility study.
When enquired about one-hour free parking at the council public car parks, leader of the Council, Cllr Paul Osborn assured it is coming by the end of this year.
“While the software change at the street parking meters is easy, technical changes at the  council public car parks need more time” Cllr Osborn explained.
While neighbouring boroughs are reducing their free parking time for residents, Harrow has  extended it from 20 minutes to 1 hour.
The hour-long free parking will give people more time in their local shops, restaurants and cafés without worrying about parking costs.

The newly introduced Harrow Town Centre Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) forbids the town centre activities like amplification of music and voice; placing of tables, chairs, stands and other fixings / furniture on the street and distribution of leaflets.
Failure to comply with a PSPO is an offence and can lead to a summary conviction and fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.
All enforcement officers as well as police are authorised to take action under the PSPO (there is no publicity about the role, responsibilities and powers of the Harrow council Environmental Enforcement Officer).
Very disappointing to find small size PSPO notices with small print at less obvious locations in the town centre and could easily be missed. (under this plea by a defaulter, the council is likely to lose a court case). see  ‘A’
Well sized notices with good readable size print at a well pronounced spot like below would make more sense. see ‘B’

In setting the Cost of Living Emergency in Harrow Motion at the council meeting this Thursday, the Labour group on the council has highlighted how Harrow and its residents are suffering due to a cost of living crisis:
In the light of the increased energy price cap by 54 per cent, the average standard tariff energy bill will increase by £600+ per year and the average pre-pay meter energy bills increasing by £700+ per year (Ofgem, 2022), they have pointed out.
Recently, the  government increased National Insurance by 1.25%, which is projected to cost the average Harrow family an additional £108 per year.
In June this year, the UK inflation was confirmed at 9.1, the highest rate in 40 years.
The escalating cost of fuel is putting huge strain on local people simply trying to go about their everyday lives. As of 12 July, petrol is at an average of 190.65p per litre, while diesel is 198.42p per litre.
In some petrol stations, filling up a typical family car’s 55- litre fuel tank with petrol now costs £104.86 on average, while it costs £109.13 to do so with diesel.
The Government has suspended the pensions ‘triple lock’ for 2022/3, meaning that Harrow’s pensioners will see a rise of 3.1 per cent this year (instead of 8.3 per cent under
the triple lock formula). This year, this will cost a Harrow pensioner on the full new state pension an average of £487, and on the full basic state pension an average of £373 (TUC, 2022)
In 2021/22 Harrow foodbanks have handed out food parcels to thousands of residents on a weekly basis, many of whom are families with children. This continues to get worse.
The recent ‘Covid Additional Relief Fund’ (CARF) and ‘Household Support Fund’ (HSF) is just not adequate for the needs of Harrow families and businesses. Many will not even qualify for the schemes.
The proportion of people living in poverty in Harrow is 23%.
Very odd that while the Tory leadership candidates have clashed over cost of living during TV debates in a point-scoring, little mention of how the cost of living crisis that hit different groups of people differently, would be meaningfully addressed.