The Planning and Infrastructure Bill 2025, now at Report Stage in the House of Lords, raises continuing concerns about centralisation, weakened environmental safeguards, and reduced local accountability. These issues are particularly relevant to Harrow, where local planning capacity, green infrastructure, and community participation are central to shaping sustainable development.As the Bill is expected to completeContinue reading “Harrow impact as Planning and Infrastructure Bill 2025 nears finalisation”
Tag Archives: Harrow council
From budgets to better streets: the positive impact of joined-up thinking in Harrow
At a time when local authorities across the country are grappling with limited resources, mounting infrastructure backlogs, and increasing demands for transparency and efficiency, the alignment between a cabinet member’s expertise and their area of responsibility has never been more crucial. In Harrow, Councillor David Ashton provides one of the clearest examples of how such alignmentContinue reading “From budgets to better streets: the positive impact of joined-up thinking in Harrow”
Harrow children’s services still in recovery
Harrow’s latest HMI monitoring visit paints a picture of a service on the mend – but not yet out of intensive care. Inspectors found that the Leaving Care Service has made “significant progress” since January, with leaders showing honesty, determination, and a renewed focus on caring for their young people. Yet beneath the optimism liesContinue reading “Harrow children’s services still in recovery”
Council tax politics: Harrow Conservatives accused of misleading spin on funding fairness
Questions on social media about why council tax is lower in Brent than in Harrow have sparked a political row, with Harrow Conservatives accused of presenting a partial picture of the funding system. Responding to criticism, local Conservatives claimed that “Brent receives far more grant funding from central government and that Harrow has, for manyContinue reading “Council tax politics: Harrow Conservatives accused of misleading spin on funding fairness”
Harrow faces major new duties in domestic abuse response
Harrow Council’s struggling children’s services face fresh pressure after the government unveiled sweeping reforms to strengthen protection for children living with domestic abuse. In its official response this month to the Domestic Abuse Commissioner’s report Victims in Their Own Right, ministers pledged more than £500 million for Family First Partnerships and promised funding until 2029.Continue reading “Harrow faces major new duties in domestic abuse response”
Harrow Conservatives push through symbolic motion on “Illegal Migrants” amid pressure to track right
Harrow Council’s Conservative leadership forced through a motion at the council meeting on 18 September 2025 to block the use of local hotels for so-called “illegal migrant” accommodation – despite there being no hotels in the borough earmarked or suitable for this purpose. The motion, carried by the group’s majority, was tabled by the councilContinue reading “Harrow Conservatives push through symbolic motion on “Illegal Migrants” amid pressure to track right”
Redevelopment of Travellers Rest refused – urban design in a suburban setting
Planning application PL/0378/25, for the redevelopment of the Travellers Rest, 134 Kenton Road, Harrow, into 109 residential units, 103 co-living units, and 62 Build-to-Rent units, was refused by the Planning Committee on 25 September 2025, despite a professional recommendation for approval. The refusal, carefully drafted and formally proposed by the Chairman of Planning, Cllr MarilynContinue reading “Redevelopment of Travellers Rest refused – urban design in a suburban setting”
Mayor’s conduct sparks fresh concerns over council standards in Harrow
The role of Harrow’s mayoralty, traditionally seen as a position of dignity, impartiality, and unity, is again under scrutiny following scenes at the full council meeting on 18 September 2025.Mayor Councillor Anjana Patel (Con), presiding over the meeting, clashed repeatedly with opposition leader Councillor David Perry (Lab), prompting growing unease over her handling of chamberContinue reading “Mayor’s conduct sparks fresh concerns over council standards in Harrow”
Harrow SEND school politics
Harrow Council meets today (18 September 2025) to debate a motion from the ruling Conservative group demanding that the Labour Government honours the funding commitment for a new SEND school in the borough. With the Conservatives holding a majority, the motion is expected to pass. It is important to note that the Harrow project atContinue reading “Harrow SEND school politics”
Harrow council: leadership gaps, weak services
Harrow council’s performance is a story of contrasts. Where cabinet members provide strong and visible, vote-winning leadership – or push initiatives that resonate with Reform-leaning or nationalistic voters – progress is clear. In services affecting the most vulnerable, weak and undemanding leadership has left Harrow lagging behind more progressive London boroughs, for example where inadequateContinue reading “Harrow council: leadership gaps, weak services”
Harrow Monitoring Group 