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”
Tag Archives: Harrow council
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 parking fines set to rise – but will it work?
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?”
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”
Harrow Monitoring Group 