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: News
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”
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 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 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”
Physician Associate role redefined: shouldn’t diagnose patients – implications for Harrow
An independent review by Prof Gillian Leng says that the Physician associates (PAs) and anaesthesia associates (AAs), who assist doctors in GP surgeries and hospitals, should be known as “assistants” to avoid confusing patients. Physician associates and anaesthesia associates (AAs) were introduced into the NHS in the early 2000s to ease doctors’ workload (but theContinue reading “Physician Associate role redefined: shouldn’t diagnose patients – implications for Harrow”
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”
Government’s revised NPPF helps Harrow planning regime
In arguing to grant retrospective application for the retention of a three-storey building at 79 Bessborough Road, Harrow (PL/0952/24), officer report says that the government revised National Planning Policy Framework [NPPF 2024] is a “material consideration in the determination of this application” [applications were refused in 2022 for a variety of reasons]. The revised NPPFContinue reading “Government’s revised NPPF helps Harrow planning regime”
Harrow Monitoring Group 