Tag Archives: Harrow council

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”

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!”

Harrow council administration playing down “inadequate” children’s services

Very serious matter that the Secretary of State has appointed an Adviser to provide advice to the Harrow Council, where the Council will work with the Adviser until some such time that the Secretary of State is satisfied that this is no longer required.Normally, the appointment of the Improvement Adviser is when the ability toContinue reading “Harrow council administration playing down “inadequate” children’s services”

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”