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”
Tag Archives: Harrow council
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”
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 Monitoring Group 