The Early Years Strategy report to the Harrow cabinet points out that the most disadvantaged in the borough are more likely not to attend early years provision, due to the high rates of childcare costs – the most commonly used types of registered childcare are day nurseries.
This disparity is concerning considering that Harrow’s Special Educational Needs and Disability Strategy identifies the need for high quality provision and outcomes based on a continuity of provision for all children, but especially vulnerable children including disabled children and those with special educational needs [SEND].
Also, the well argued Childcare Sufficiency Assessment report informs that parents/carers of children with special educational needs/additional needs are less satisfied with childcare compared to parents/carers of children without SEN/additional needs (42% compared to 72%), and that 25% of parents/ carers who have children with SEN can’t find childcare for their child, compared to 2% of parents/carers whose children do not have SEN/additional needs. A similar lack of suitable early years provision for children was identified in 2011.

Overall, only 65% of parents/carers report being satisfied/very satisfied with childcare in 2016 where White British parents/carers are 8% more likely to be satisfied with their current childcare arrangements than families from other ethnicities (77% compared to 69%) – seemingly a decline from the 2011 picture.

It would be interesting to see the effectiveness of the Harrow’s Early Years Strategy in addressing the  gaps in the Early Years provisions.

In a public presentation, the Harrow Council meeting on 19 May is to mark their appreciation of the forty-five years service by Councillor Christine Bednell to the London Borough of Harrow. Since the creation of the London Borough of Harrow in 1964, no other councillor has given such long and diligent service.
Christine, a Conservative councillor for Stanmore since 1986, was first elected to the council in 1968 from the then Wealdstone North ward.
Christine, much interested in the areas of Education and Social Services, has served on various council committees including Cabinet, the Policy and Resources Committee, Education, Arts and Leisure Committee, Overview and Scrutiny Committee, School Organisation Committee and Call-In Sub-Committee. She has also held the Portfolios for Children’s Services, Lifelong Learning and Cultural Services and Issues facing Older People, and Schools and Development. Christine was Harrow deputy mayor in 1985 and mayor in 1986.
Christine has been a part of a happy Conservative group under previous leaders, whether in administration or opposition. But the group has suffered many setbacks since 2010; for example, losing administrations and by-elections, and now the leader of the group is being investigated by police (also see The Harrow Times ).
Furthermore, Cllr Hall leads a highly divided group as 42.31% members of her group did not vote for her at the recent leadership election.

Soon after supporting the commonly condemned race specific and divisive campaign for London mayoral election, the Tory MP asked the Secretary of State for Health, how many tests for vitamin D were carried out in England in the last three years and the cost for providing such tests.
It is common knowledge that Asians in the UK have more deficiency of vitamin D and ample statistical information regarding this matter is already in public domain!
Difficult to see Mr Blackman’s interest in the data he has asked for, unless it is to play with the figures to criticise Asian cultural differences, mostly female specific and more in certain female due to less exposure to sun light because of covering their skin while outside etc.
If really interested in the health of all, his helpful question to the health secretary could have been regarding the measures taken to address the lack of vitamin D in our population, particularly the Asians.
For example, raising awareness of the risks of vitamin D deficiency, standardising the definition of 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency in winter and summer for comparison, vitamin D supplement during pregnancy and infants to regularly receive a specified amount of vitamin D daily.

Update: Cllr Hall was not seen at the social gathering at the Members Lounge after Harrow Mayor-making on 19/5/2016, perhaps to avoid embarrassment due to the police investigating her non-declaration of pecuniary interest at a council meeting or not to shake hand to greet the incoming mayor Cllr Rekha Shah which conventionally takes place at the entrance of the Members Lounge. 20/5/2016
Despite being asked by the newspapers, leader of the opposition Cllr Hall has not commented on the council’s wise decision to keep the Bridge open.
The centre in Christchurch Avenue for people with mental health problems was proposed for closure due to budgetary reasons.
A petition to save the Bridge was started by the opposition Tory group on the council few months ago, and then it was carried through by the hard fighting campaigners and supporters for the centre.
It is odd for a publicity seeking councillor to miss the front pages but is understandable as Cllr Hall is under police investigation for the reported non-declaration of pecuniary interest at a council meeting where she presented a petition regarding the Wealdstone development. Cllr Hall runs a shop in Wealdstone.
Also, Cllr Hall now leads a highly divided group as 42.31% members of her group did not vote for her at the recent leadership election.

As predicted,  Cllr Sachin Shah has been elected as the leader of the Labour group and will lead the council from May 2016. Cllr Keith Ferry remains as the deputy leader.

We wish them well!

Sachin, Bsc (Hons), a Queensbury ward councillor, was first elected to the council  in 2010. He is Finance and Major Contracts Portfolio Holder and is likely to retain this responsibility.

Tory group leadership election result will be out tomorrow (13/4/16) – if Cllr Ashton wins, she will be a good intellectual match to Sachin!

Following our report regarding Councillor Hall’s non-declaration of the pecuniary interest, we now understand that the Harrow Conservative Group Leader, Cllr Hall, is the subject of an investigation by the Metropolitan Police.
The police are investigating allegations that Cllr Hall failed to adhere to Harrow Council’s pecuniary and non pecuniary declaration and propriety rules for its elected councillors.
“We expect better of our elected politicians and Harrow UNISON will take full part in the investigation, if required” informs the Unison press release.
In presenting a regeneration-specific Wealdstone petition at the council meeting, Cllr Hall said: “It will damage the entire Wealdstone business community”.

The petition was debated at the council meeting but Cllr Hall who has a shop in Wealdstone did not declare a pecuniary interest and remained present during the debate, despite being warned that the Tory Group Leader is using her elected and political position in an inappropriate manner which could directly impact on her business and personal economic interests.

Cllr Hall shows no remorse:  she is pleading everywhere that she has not really done anything wrong.  However, what really matters is the police verdict – watch this space for further update! 19/4/16
Political backlash: Cllr Hall now leads a highly divided group as 42.31% members of her group did not vote for her at the recent leadership election, despite heavy canvassing by the group whip! 13/4/16
Further update: Cllr Hall is seemingly in self-denial about the seriousness of the matter. In a public statement she refers to the minutes of the council meeting in February – the minutes simply say that she “declared a non-pecuniary interest”, while the alleged  criminal offence that could lead to disqualification* is about not declaring a ‘pecuniary interest’. In the same meeting another councillor declared pecuniary interest in an item in that he had investment properties and left the Chamber during the discussion and vote on this item. 11/4/16 15:56
Update: breaking news: Detective Sergeant of the MPS Special Enquiry Team has informed us that “this is now an ongoing police investigation”. 06/04/2016 08:24

Note:
*There are a number of potential criminal offences associated with:
• the failure to register or disclose a disclosable pecuniary Interest
• discussion and/or voting on a DPI
Successful prosecutions can result in a fine of £5000 and disqualification for five years from the local council and from other local authorities – page 24

Following our report regarding Cllr Hall’s non-declaration of the pecuniary interest and drawing authorities attention to investigate the breach, watch this space for a follow up news soon.
In presenting a regeneration-specific Wealdstone petition, Cllr Hall said: “It will damage the entire Wealdstone business community”.
The petition was debated at the council meeting but Cllr Hall who has a shop in Wealdstone did not declare a pecuniary interest and remained present during the debate.
Such a serious non-compliance of the councillors code of conduct by a senior councillor damages the council’s image and shakes people’s confidence in the local democracy/ transparency.
She has an honourable option – step down before the news breaks!

We hear that as Cllr David Perry is passing on the baton to a new leader of the council, the opposition should also have fresh leadership to put behind a sort of ‘Punch and Judy’ attitude at the council and  to work productively with the administration in the interest of effectively serving the community.
The performance of the Tory group appears weak and hostile under Cllr Hall’s leadership, considering what the group ought to be doing but is not doing.
The feeling is that the opposition should work as a critical friend, assisting the administration whenever possible and suggesting healthy alternatives whenever necessary. There is no point in keep attacking the chief executive who is leading the council’s most challenging regeneration programme.
Since Cllr Hall, the leader of the less effective Tory group, has not followed Cllr Perry example to step down, the leadership challenge in the Tory group is a right move.
It would be welcoming to have a team of calm and well balanced Tory group leadership who could harmoniously work with the members and officers of the council – a good combination could be like councillors Marilyn Ashton and Amir Moshenson who have multiple expertises amongst themselves, including place shaping/ planning and critical mind respectively!

Cllr David Perry is to step down as Leader of Harrow Council this May saying “It is now the right time for a new Leader to take up the baton and build on the foundations I have laid”. He became the leader after regaining the council in 2014.

The new leader could either be Cllr Sachin Shah who is responsible for the council’s finances or Cllr Keith Ferry, deputy leader leading the council’s regeneration programme.
Cllr Perry was elected the leader of the Labour group in 2013, followed by the following happenings:

Perhaps Cllr Hall, the leader of the less effective Tory group, could follow Cllr Perry example and let the council have a fresh start.
Cllr Hall has a history of leading her group to defeats: lost two by-elections in 2013 and failure to gain the  council  in 2010 and in 2014 where five sitting Tory councillors were defeated despite the London mayor, prime minister and home secretary visits to Harrow to support her council leadership chances.
Lately she failed to declare pecuniary interest while actively presenting Wealdstone petition and saying: “It will damage the entire Wealdstone business community” – she has a shop in Wealdstone. Non declaration of pecuniary interest involves the commission of a criminal offence.