The Cabinet of Harrow Council is scheduled to meet on Thursday 29 January 2026, with a key focus on financial planning, housing regeneration, and essential service provision. The meeting agenda includes discussions on the calculation of business rates retention for the upcoming financial year, updates on housing regulatory matters, and proposals for extending existing contracts for estate improvements and water services.

Calculation of Business Rates Retention Amounts for 2026-2027

The Cabinet will consider the estimated business rates yield for the 2026-2027 financial year, a crucial element for the Council's budget setting. This report, titled Cabinet Report NDR Resource Base 2026-27 Final 130126 [Cabinet Report NDR Resource Base 2026-27 Final 130126.pdf], outlines the approach and assumptions made in calculating the Council's share of business rates, which is projected to be £22.407 million. The meeting will also address the implementation of new business rates measures announced in the Autumn Budget, including reliefs for electric vehicle charging points and film studios, as detailed in Appendix 1 - Supporting Small Business Relief [Appendix 1 - Supporting Small Business Relief.pdf]. The Council is legally obliged to submit these calculations to the Secretary of State and the Greater London Authority (GLA).

Housing Regulatory Update

A report titled Cabinet Report - Housing Regulatory Update [Cabinet Report - Housing Regulatory Update.pdf] will provide an update on housing regulation. This includes the lifting of a regulatory notice previously issued by the Regulator of Social Housing against Harrow Council. The report will also cover the Council's performance in housing health and safety compliance and the implementation of the Hazards in Social Housing (Prescribed Requirements) (England) Regulations 2025, commonly known as Awaab's Law. This legislation mandates specific timeframes for addressing hazards such as damp and mould in social housing.

Extension of Previously Awarded Contracts for Estate Improvement and Re-roofing Works

The Cabinet will consider proposals to extend existing contracts for estate improvement and re-roofing works across three estates: Amy Johnson Court, Beatty Road Estate, and Mountside Estate. The report, Cabinet Report - Estate Improvement and Reroofing Renewals - Jan26 final 16.01.26 002 [Cabinet Report - Estate Improvement and Reroofing Renewals - Jan26 final 16.01.26 002.pdf], details that these extensions are necessary due to the discovery of additional essential works, including fire safety measures and electrical utility infrastructure upgrades, which were not foreseen at the time of the original contract awards in July 2023. The report seeks approval for an additional budget allocation of £448,400 from the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Capital Programme to cover these variations, bringing the total revised contract value to £2.842 million. An Equality Impact Assessment for these works is also included [Appendix 1 - EQIA- Estate Improvements Roofing renewals_.pdf].

Water Services

A report titled Cabinet Report Water Services Jan 26 Cabinet Briefing Final Version [Cabinet Report Water Services Jan 26 Cabinet Briefing Final Version.pdf] will present recommendations for a new contract for the Council's water, wastewater, and ancillary services. The proposal is to utilise the NEPO Central Purchasing Body NEPO311 Water Retail Services framework agreement to appoint Anglian Water Business (National) Ltd, trading as Wave Utilities, for an initial two-year term with an option to extend for a further two years. The report also recommends the direct award of a contract to install automatic meter reading (AMR) water meters at high-consumption sites to improve accuracy and efficiency. The total estimated value of the contract over four years is £2.75 million.

Poets Corner Early Works Package

The Cabinet will discuss an early works package for the Poets Corner site, a key regeneration scheme under the Harrow Strategic Development Partnership (HSDP). The report, Poets Corner package of early works cab report - Jan 2026 - Clean [Poets Corner package of early works cab report - Jan 2026 - Clean.pdf], outlines proposals for the demolition of the former Social Club and the installation of perimeter hoarding to ensure safe pedestrian access to Harrow and Wealdstone Station. The estimated cost for these works is £0.680 million. The report seeks approval to commence these works and delegate authority for procurement and contract award. An Equality Impact Assessment for this project is also provided [Appendix 3 EQIA Poets CornerEarly WorksJan 26 - FinalV0.2Approved.pdf].

Lease Surrender and Regrant

A report titled Report - Part I surrender and regrant final [Report - Part I surrender and regrant final.pdf] will detail a proposed surrender and regrant of a lease for an out-of-borough property. This is recommended as part of good asset management to reduce financial risks associated with potential rental voids and holding vacant properties. The specific terms of the lease agreement are confidential and are set out in an exempt appendix.

The meeting will also include updates on Progress on Scrutiny Projects [2026 January scrutiny update for Cabinet.pdf] and a Key Decision Schedule February April 2026 [KDS feb to april 26.pdf].