Tag Archives: community

Don’t let conservation divide Harrow

Since 2022 Conservative administration, Harrow Council has produced several Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) – including four* recent ones – that raise troubling questions about both process and purpose. Chief among them are doubts about the value of ‘consultation’ and the extent to which public input genuinely shaped the final policies. These SPDs are highly technicalContinue reading “Don’t let conservation divide Harrow”

Harrow’s hidden struggles: beyond the suburban façade

Harrow is often imagined as a leafy suburban borough on London’s edge, known for its green spaces and good schools. Yet behind that image lies a more complex reality: pockets of deprivation more commonly associated with inner-city life.Harrow’s diversity* is often positively acknowledged, but less attention is given to the experiences of deprivation within it,Continue reading “Harrow’s hidden struggles: beyond the suburban façade”

Labour’s centralised control over local democracy

Recent events in Brent – where some incumbent Labour councillors reportedly weren’t reselected for the 2026 elections (Wembley Matters) as the selections were made by the London region of the Labour Party and not the local Labour members – signal a troubling trend: local voices being sidelined by national gatekeepers. This not only erodes theContinue reading “Labour’s centralised control over local democracy”

Harrow council under fire despite big spending pledges

Harrow council – controlled by the Conservatives after bucking London’s Labour wave in 2022 – is facing mounting criticism over failing services, even as it unveils major new investments.The borough has committed £42 million over three years to upgrade roads and pavements, alongside a £900,000 boost for street cleansing and a £6 million injection intoContinue reading “Harrow council under fire despite big spending pledges”

Harrow Conservative administration largely shows disregard for some people, so it looks!

Harrow Council’s Conservative administration is facing mounting outrage after yet another wave of damning rulings from the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGO), the courts, and regulators. Critics say the council has shown a long-standing disregard for some of its most vulnerable residents – from disabled children and adults to struggling families in unsuitableContinue reading “Harrow Conservative administration largely shows disregard for some people, so it looks!”

 “Palestinian statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people” – a Harrow MP

“As a longstanding supporter of a Palestinian state, I believe that Palestinian statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people”, states Gareth Thomas, MP for the Harrow West, the less divisive part of what feels like Harrow’s two political kingdoms. “I welcome that the UK is on a pathway to recognise the State ofContinue reading ” “Palestinian statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people” – a Harrow MP”

Headstone Manor Park, a winner!

Headstone Manor Park, along with seven other Harrow parks, is on the Green Flag Award winners list for 2025. A total of 2,250 parks and green spaces across the UK have reached the high standards required to receive a coveted Green Flag Award in 2025 – more than ever recorded before. For example, in theContinue reading “Headstone Manor Park, a winner!”

Under Improvement Notice Harrow children’s services need wider safeguarding collaboration

Given that local councils have a statutory duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children within their area, it is appropriate to find how they have responded to the government publications ‘Child protection in religious organisations and setting Investigation Report’, and ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’.Their responsive action could include developing good working relationshipsContinue reading “Under Improvement Notice Harrow children’s services need wider safeguarding collaboration”