This week in Harrow:

Care Leaver Support Criticised in Scathing Ofsted Report

Harrow Council's children's services have been rated 'inadequate' overall following an Ofsted inspection in January 2025. While services for children under 18 received 'good' ratings, the support for care leavers[^3] was deemed inadequate, leading to the overall judgement. The Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss the council's response and improvement plan.

• The inspection found that support for care leavers had deteriorated since 2020, with cases being closed prematurely.
• Councillor Paul Osborn, Leader of the Council, called the judgement disappointing, acknowledging that the issues were primarily related to the care leaver service.
• Parmjit Chahal, Strategic Director of Children's Services, stated that a standalone leaving care service had been established with three team managers and 15 personal advisors[^4].
• Councillor Graham Henson raised concerns about housing for care leavers, highlighting cases where there were more care leavers than available properties.
• The committee discussed the issue of missing care leavers, with assurances that there was now a weekly analysis of every missing young person.

The 'inadequate' rating raises serious concerns about the support and protection offered to vulnerable young people transitioning out of care. The council's action plan and commitment to improvement will be crucial in addressing these failings and ensuring better outcomes for care leavers.

Traffic Panel Tackles Road Safety Concerns and Parking Woes

The Traffic and Road Safety Advisory Panel met to address a range of issues, from resident concerns about road safety to updates on parking programmes and sustainable travel initiatives.

• Residents voiced concerns about road safety, parking, and the impact of controlled parking zones (CPZs).
• A resident, Mr But, expressed frustration over the rejection of his deputation requests regarding road safety in the West Harrow ward.
• Nina Palmer questioned the justification for implementing a CPZ in Rugby Close and Lees Close, given the lack of resident parking bays.
• The council approved a phased delivery approach for the Headstone and Wildstone areas, implementing a smaller CPZ using an experimental traffic order[^2] in phase one.
• The panel discussed the Active, Sustainable Travel and Road Safety Report, noting that over two-thirds of respondents were positive about the borough-wide school healthy streets consultation.

The panel's discussions highlight the ongoing challenges of balancing the needs of different road users and addressing resident concerns about traffic and parking. The decisions made by the panel will have a direct impact on the daily lives of Harrow residents, affecting their ability to travel safely and access parking.

Council Leaders Face Scrutiny Over Finances, Services, and SEND

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee held a Q&A session with Councillor Paul Osborn, Leader of the Council, and Alex Skinner, Managing Director of the Council, covering a range of topics from council finances to public service improvements and challenges in special education needs and disabilities (SEND).

• Councillor Osborn reported that the council is currently underspent by £1.5 million, but cautioned that the government expects councils to raise council tax by 5% each year.
• The council has increased street cleaning, park collections, and pothole repairs, fixing 7,000 potholes in the last financial year compared to 800 in 2021-22.
• Councillor Osborn expressed disappointment with the government's delay in developing a plan for SEND, noting that a site for a new SEND school has been purchased but the project is currently paused.
• A Harrow Youth Parliament Representative asked for an update on the installation of CCTV cameras in Harrow on the Hill, with Councillor Osborn explaining that the council is developing a CCTV policy.
• Councillor Graham Henson raised concerns about falling school roll numbers and the impact of a new SEND school on the viability of other schools in the borough.

The Q&A session provided an opportunity for councillors to scrutinise the council's performance and priorities, raising important questions about financial sustainability, service delivery, and support for vulnerable residents.

Other Matters

• A meeting including Richard Harbord Independent Member and Gerald Balabanoff Scheme Members' Representative - Pensioners, scheduled for Thursday 10 July 2025, was postponed.
• The Chief Officers' Employment Panel meeting scheduled for Thursday 10 July 2025, was cancelled.

Upcoming Meetings

Here's a summary of upcoming meetings:

• The North West London Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to meet on Thursday 17 July 2025, to discuss maternity provisions, adult mental health services, and the reconfiguration of the Integrated Care Board.
• The Governance, Audit, Risk Management and Standards Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 22 July 2025.
• The Planning Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday 23 July 2025.
• The Cabinet is scheduled to meet on Thursday 24 July 2025.

This week in Harrow:

Harrow's Children's Services Rated 'Inadequate' by Ofsted, Improvement Plan Underway

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee is set to meet on Tuesday to discuss the council's response to a recent Ofsted inspection of local authority children's services (ILACS). The inspection, which took place in January 2025, resulted in an overall judgement of 'Inadequate' for Children's Services, despite 'Good' ratings in some areas. The committee will review the inspection findings, the council's response, and the progress made to date.

• Ofsted rated Harrow's Children's Services as 'Inadequate' overall, citing failures in support for care leavers.
• Inspectors found that the risk of harm to care leavers was not always recognised or responded to effectively and that there was a lack of follow-up and review mechanisms.
• The council has been served with a Formal Improvement Notice by the Department of Education (DfE) and is working with a DfE Improvement Advisor.
• Immediate actions taken by the council include recruiting an experienced senior leader and reviewing all previously closed care leaver cases.
• The council has submitted an action plan to Ofsted, focusing on leadership, quality of support for care leavers, risk identification, and staffing consistency.

This rating could have serious consequences for vulnerable young people in Harrow, potentially leading to inadequate support and increased risks of harm. The council's response and improvement plan will be crucial in addressing these issues and ensuring the safety and well-being of care leavers.

Health Board to Discuss Funding and Integrated Care

The Harrow Health and Wellbeing Board met on Thursday to discuss the Better Care Fund (BCF), integrated neighbourhood teams, and an oral health needs assessment.

• The board discussed the final position of the 2024/25 Better Care Fund (BCF) plan and formally approved the 2025/26 BCF plan.
• The Better Care Fund was established by the government to provide funds to local areas to support the integration of health and social care.
• The board received an overview and discussed integrated neighbourhood teams, which aim to improve health and wellbeing by bringing together various services at the local level.
• The board also discussed an oral health needs assessment, noting that while oral health in Harrow has improved, disparities remain, particularly among people with learning disabilities and those from deprived areas.

These discussions are crucial for ensuring that Harrow residents receive joined-up, effective health and social care services, particularly as London faces increasing pressures on the NHS and local authorities. The Better Care Fund and integrated neighbourhood teams are key initiatives for addressing these challenges and improving the health and wellbeing of Harrow's communities.

Corporate Parenting Panel Examines Support for Children in Care

The Corporate Parenting Panel met on Monday to discuss several reports regarding children in care, including updates from the Participation Service, outcomes for children missing from care, and the performance of the Virtual School.

• The panel received an update on children missing from care, emphasizing that every missing incident should be seen as a warning sign of potential harm.
• The panel discussed the new Leaving Care Service, launched on 31 March 2025, with the aim of providing accessible and responsive support for care leavers.
• The panel also examined the support available to children looked after and care leavers in custody, including weekly allowances and accommodation upon release.
• The panel received an update from the Virtual School Headteacher, highlighting both successes and areas for improvement in the educational attainment of children looked after.

These discussions are vital for ensuring that children in care receive the support and protection they need to thrive. The panel's focus on missing children, the Leaving Care Service, and educational outcomes demonstrates a commitment to improving the lives of some of Harrow's most vulnerable residents.

Traffic and Road Safety Advisory Panel to Discuss Petitions and Parking

The Traffic and Road Safety Advisory Panel is scheduled to meet on Monday to discuss petitions received by the council, updates to parking and traffic programmes, and active and sustainable travel initiatives.

• The panel will review petitions related to motorcycle restrictions, traffic calming measures, pedestrian crossings, and controlled parking zones (CPZs).
• The panel will receive updates on the CPZ programme, the Localised Safety Parking Schemes Programme (LSPP), and the digital transformation of the parking permit system.
• The panel will also discuss the 2025/26 traffic schemes programme of works, including borough-wide 20mph zones and improvements to pedestrian and cycling infrastructure.
• The panel will receive an update on initiatives to encourage sustainable modes of transport and promote road safety education.

These discussions will shape the future of transportation and road safety in Harrow, impacting residents' daily lives and the environment. The panel's decisions on petitions, parking programmes, and traffic schemes will have a direct effect on traffic flow, pedestrian safety, and access to parking across the borough.

Other Matters

• The Overview and Scrutiny Committee is also scheduled to meet on Tuesday for a question and answer session with the Leader of the Council and the Managing Director of the Council.

Upcoming Meetings

Here's a summary of upcoming meetings:

• The Traffic and Road Safety Advisory Panel is scheduled to meet on Monday 07 July 2025, to discuss petitions received by the council, updates to parking and traffic programmes, and active and sustainable travel initiatives.
• The Overview and Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 08 July 2025, to discuss the council's response to a recent Ofsted inspection of local authority children's services (ILACS).
• The Overview and Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 08 July 2025, for a question and answer session with the Leader of the Council and the Managing Director of the Council.

This week in Harrow:

Allotment Storage Approved Despite Conservation Concerns

The Planning Committee met on Wednesday 25 June 2025 and approved an application for a Certificate of Lawful Proposed Development at West Harrow Allotments^[1] for the placing of two 20ft storage containers. These containers will be used for storing farming equipment.

• The Chief Planning Officer recommended granting the certificate.
• The agenda also included retrospective applications for developments in the Pinnerwood Park Estate Conservation Area.
• The committee also discussed an application relating to tree works to an oak tree in the rear garden of 40 Sequoia Park, Pinner.

[1]: West Harrow Allotments are a collection of allotment gardens in Harrow.

Nine Flats and New Office Space Approved for Fairholme Road

The Planning Committee also approved application PL/0211/25 for 4 Fairholme Road, which seeks permission for the redevelopment of the site to provide a three-storey building providing 9 flats (2 x 1 bed and 7 x 2 beds) and new office space (Use Class E(g)(i)), parking, landscaping and amenity space, refuse and cycle storage.

• The Chief Planning Officer recommended that planning permission be granted subject to conditions and a Section 106 agreement.
• The Section 106 agreement includes parking permit restrictions, payment of legal fees, and a legal agreement monitoring fee of £575.
• Section 106 agreements are legal agreements between local authorities and developers; these are linked to planning permissions, and can require developers to make contributions to the local community.

SACRE Discusses Religious Education

The Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE) met on Wednesday 25 June 2025 at Holy Trinity, Wealdstone. The meeting included discussion of the SACRE's self-evaluation form, the development plan, and feedback from the NASACRE conference. There was also local and national updates. No video of the meeting was provided.

Other Matters

• The Personnel Appeals Panel meeting scheduled for Thursday 26 June 2025 was cancelled.
• The Cabinet meeting scheduled for Thursday 26 June 2025 was cancelled.
• The meeting scheduled for Tuesday 24 June 2025 was postponed.

Upcoming Meetings

Here's a summary of upcoming meetings:

• The Corporate Parenting Panel is scheduled to meet on Monday 30 June 2025, at Harrow Council Hub, to discuss several reports regarding children in care.
• A meeting including Councillor Jean Lammiman, Portfolio Holder for Adult Services & Public Health, Councillor Hitesh Karia, Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services, and Councillor Pritesh Patel, Portfolio Holder for Cleaner Streets & Public Safety, is scheduled for Thursday 03 July 2025. Here is the link to the meeting.
• The Traffic and Road Safety Advisory Panel is scheduled to meet on Monday 07 July 2025.
• The Overview and Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 08 July 2025.
• The Traffic and Road Safety Advisory Panel is scheduled to meet on Wednesday 09 July 2025, but has been postponed.
• A meeting including Richard Harbord Independent Member, Councillor Pritesh Patel, Portfolio Holder for Cleaner Streets & Public Safety, Emma Harkin, Gerald Balabanoff Scheme Members' Representative - Pensioners, is scheduled for Thursday 10 July 2025. Here is the link to the meeting.
• The Chief Officers' Employment Panel is scheduled to meet on Thursday 10 July 2025, but has been cancelled.

This week in Harrow:

Social Care Scrutiny Sub-Committee Meets

The Health and Social Care Scrutiny Sub-Committee met on Tuesday 17 June 2025. No video of the meeting was provided.

Pension Fund Committee Convenes

The Pension Fund Committee convened on Monday 16 June 2025. No video of the meeting was provided.

Upcoming Meetings

Here's a summary of upcoming meetings:

• The Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education is scheduled to meet on Wednesday 25 June 2025 to discuss the SACRE's self-evaluation form, the development plan, and feedback from the NASACRE conference.
• The Planning Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday 25 June 2025, to discuss several planning applications and related matters.
• The Personnel Appeals Panel is scheduled to meet on Thursday 26 June 2025 to appoint a chair and to hear a disciplinary appeal.
• The Corporate Parenting Panel is scheduled to meet on Monday 30 June 2025.
• A meeting including Councillor Jean Lammiman, Portfolio Holder for Adult Services & Public Health, Councillor Hitesh Karia, Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services, and Councillor Pritesh Patel, Portfolio Holder for Cleaner Streets & Public Safety, is scheduled for Thursday 03 July 2025. Here is the link to the meeting.