Harrow Council is consulting residents on proposals to increase parking fines, raising the question whether higher penalties will actually deter rule-breaking. Currently, Harrow is classed as a Band B authority (higher £140, lower £90), but now considering moving to Band A (higher £160, lower £110) which would bring higher penalty charge notices (PCNs) for parkingContinue reading “Harrow parking fines set to rise – but will it work?”
Tag Archives: Harrow council
Quiet vehicles, big risks: safeguarding Harrow’s visually impaired
The increasing use of electric and hybrid vehicles – often referred to as “quiet vehicles” – is bringing new safety challenges for people with sight loss in Harrow. While these vehicles reduce air pollution, their reduced engine noise poses a risk for pedestrians who rely on sound to navigate safely. Research from the Royal NationalContinue reading “Quiet vehicles, big risks: safeguarding Harrow’s visually impaired”
Harrow Labour hails victory as a Harrow school secures new ‘lollipop’ crossing guard after funding U-turn
Harrow Labour are celebrating a major win for road safety (Facebook page today), after Pinner Park Primary School appointed a new school crossing patrol – commonly known as a “Lollipop” guard – following a hard-fought campaign to protect funding for the service across the borough.Earlier this year, Harrow’s Conservative administration was to cut £26,000 fromContinue reading “Harrow Labour hails victory as a Harrow school secures new ‘lollipop’ crossing guard after funding U-turn”
After ‘inadequate’ children’s services, Harrow offers red tape instead of reform
Harrow Council has set out an action plan of procedural and structural reforms in response to Ofsted’s inadequate judgement of its children’s services and a subsequent Department for Education improvement notice. But critics warn the council has failed to tackle the deeper cultural and ethos challenges at the heart of the services.Commentators argue that Harrow’sContinue reading “After ‘inadequate’ children’s services, Harrow offers red tape instead of reform”
Harrow’s health prevention talk is cheap – Harrow needs action, not another paper exercise
Harrow’s Health and Wellbeing Board is to consider the report ‘The prevention approach for the Joint Health and Wellbeing Board’ – but if residents were hoping for a bold action report, they’ll be left disappointed. The paper is full of warm words about “systematic approaches” and “joint engagement,” but light on specifics. It promises everythingContinue reading “Harrow’s health prevention talk is cheap – Harrow needs action, not another paper exercise”
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”
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!”
Under improvement notice “inadequate” Harrow children’s services, and cabinet ‘failure’ to address key issues
Harrow council opposition (Labour) is seriously “disappointed and concerned” with the council administration’s failure to address key issues, leading to Children’s Services being downgraded to “inadequate” by Ofsted this year.Councillor David Perry at a recent Harrow Council’s Cabinet meeting questioned both Cllr Hitesh Karia, responsible for children’s services, and the leader of the council, CllrContinue reading “Under improvement notice “inadequate” Harrow children’s services, and cabinet ‘failure’ to address key issues”
Harrow Monitoring Group 