The Cabinet meeting on 09 July 2026 addressed a wide range of issues, including the submission and endorsement of the Harrow SEND Reform Plan 2026-2029, the allocation of the Crisis and Resilience Fund, and the recommissioning of domestic abuse and safe accommodation services. Key decisions were also made regarding the procurement of a new Parking Management Information System, a framework for fencing and security assets, and the extension of the fuel card services contract. The Cabinet also noted the council's financial outturn for 2025/26 and reviewed the procurement pipeline for the upcoming years.

Harrow SEND Reform Plan 2026-2029

Cabinet endorsed the strategic direction, governance framework, and implementation approach of Harrow's Local SEND Reform Plan, which has been submitted to the Department for Education. This plan aims to improve outcomes for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) through earlier intervention, greater inclusion, and improved access to specialist support. The council provisionally accepted £2.1 million in funding from the Department for Education to support this reform, with further allocations subject to meeting national criteria. The plan was developed through extensive partnership working, including engagement with young people, parents, and various stakeholders. Councillor David Perry, Leader of the Labour Group, welcomed the establishment of a separate children's scrutiny committee, noting that Harrow was among a small percentage of councils without such a dedicated committee. Councillor David Ashton, Portfolio Holder for Finance and Highways, also highlighted concerns about the long-term sustainability of government funding for high-needs blocks beyond the initial three-year period.

Crisis and Resilience Fund 2026-2029

The Cabinet approved the London Borough of Harrow's receipt of the Crisis and Resilience Fund grant from the Department of Work and Pensions, totalling over £10.3 million across three years. This fund will support low-income households facing financial shocks and build community resilience. Key initiatives include a crisis payment application scheme, housing payment support (formerly Discretionary Housing Payments), rent arrears assistance, and the continuation of free school meals during holidays. Councillor Stephen Greek, Portfolio Holder for Performance, Communications and Customer Experience, commended the balanced approach to immediate support and long-term resilience. John Higgins, representing the Voluntary Sector, endorsed the fund's potential but expressed disappointment regarding the allocation for community coordination and the potential for increased demand on VCS services without additional resources. Councillor David Perry raised questions about the allocation for domestic violence funding, noting that it was zero for the current year and £42,000 for the subsequent two years, questioning why investment was not being made in the current service. Councillor David Ashton, Portfolio Holder for Finance and Highways, clarified that this was a top-up to existing council provisions and that the timing was aligned with a new contract.

Homes for Ukraine Scheme

Cabinet approved an increase in the total programme expenditure for the Homes for Ukraine Programme to an estimated maximum value of £4.7 million to support ongoing delivery. A procurement waiver was also approved to enable the direct award of contracts to existing service providers for up to 24 months, ensuring continuity of support for Ukrainian households. Councillor Janet Mote, Portfolio Holder for Community and Culture, thanked the team for their work on the programme.

Harrow Council's Domestic Abuse and Safe Accommodation Service

Cabinet approved the commencement of a competitive procurement process for Harrow's domestic abuse services, with a new contract to begin on 1 April 2027. The service will be split into two lots: Domestic Abuse Support Service and Safe Accommodation. The total estimated value of the procurement over five years is £2.39 million. Councillor Pritesh Patel, Portfolio Holder for Cleaner Streets and Public Safety, highlighted the rising demand for support and the importance of a comprehensive community safety strategy. Councillor David Perry questioned how key performance indicators in the tender documentation would ensure a robust approach to tackling negative trends in domestic abuse incidents. Councillor Pritesh Patel explained that increased reporting was partly due to greater awareness and improved services, and that progress would be tracked at the highest level through the Safer Harrow Partnership.

Parking Management Information Systems (PMIS) Contract

Cabinet approved the award of a contract to Taranto Systems Limited via the ESPO Parking Management Solutions Framework for the provision of a Parking Management Information System. The initial contract period is two years, with an option to extend for a further two years. Councillor David Ashton, Portfolio Holder for Finance and Highways, stated that the new system would enable virtual permits, substantially reducing issues related to residents waiting for permits to be posted. Councillor David Perry raised concerns about the system's capacity to handle increasing service demand, which was flagged as an amber risk.

Framework for Fencing, Gates, Security Assets and Ancillary Groundworks Contract

Cabinet approved the procurement of a new multi-supplier open framework to replace the current fencing contract, which expires in October 2026. The framework will run for up to eight years with an estimated total value of £2 million. Councillor David Ashton, Portfolio Holder for Finance and Highways, highlighted the benefits of a multi-supplier model, improved cost control, and enhanced performance management.

Extension & Variation of the Provision of Fuel Card Services Contract

Cabinet approved a two-year extension of the council's fuel card services contract, running from May 2027 to April 2029, with a 10% uplift in the overall contract value, equating to approximately £628,000. Councillor Pritesh Patel, Portfolio Holder for Cleaner Streets and Public Safety, explained that this was necessary to reflect current market conditions and ensure the contract remained financially viable amidst volatile fuel prices.

Ewart House Care and Wellbeing Service Commissioning

Cabinet approved the commencement of a competitive procurement process to commission a new care provider for on-site care and wellbeing services at Ewart House, an extra care housing scheme for adults aged 55 and over. The new contract will have an initial five-year term with an optional two-year extension, with an estimated value between £7 and £8 million over seven years. Councillor Norman Stevenson, Portfolio Holder for Adults and Public Health, emphasised the importance of this service in promoting independence and providing an alternative to residential care.

Procurement Pipeline 2026-2027 and Review of Procurement Delivery 2025-2026

Cabinet noted the procurement pipeline for the period April 2026 to March 2029, which includes 99 projects with an estimated total value of over £656 million. They also noted the review of procurement delivery for 2025-2026, which showed 90 contracts awarded over £100,000, with a total value of approximately £258 million. Councillor David Ashton, Portfolio Holder for Finance and Highways, highlighted the significant transformation work undertaken by the Corporate Procurement Team to prepare for the Procurement Act 2023.

Council Insurance Renewals 2027

Cabinet approved the procurement of liability, property, and terrorism insurance for the Council through the Insurance London Consortium (ILC). The new contracts will commence on 1 April 2027 for a period of five years. Councillor David Ashton, Portfolio Holder for Finance and Highways, explained that collaborative procurement through the ILC aims to reduce costs through economies of scale.

Treasury Management Annual Outturn Report 2025/26

Cabinet noted the Treasury Management outturn position for 2025/26, which demonstrated compliance with regulatory requirements. Councillor David Ashton, Portfolio Holder for Finance and Highways, described the report as highly technical and offered to meet with members individually to discuss the details. He also noted that the Council remained in an underborrowed position.

Revenue & Capital Budget Outturn Report 2025-26

Cabinet noted the final revenue and capital outturn positions for 2025/26, which showed an overall revenue underspend of £3 million. This underspend will be added to the business risk reserve to help fund the dedicated schools grant deficit. Cabinet also approved proposed additions and amendments to the Capital Programme. Councillor David Ashton, Portfolio Holder for Finance and Highways, reported that the HRA outturn was a surplus of £2.37 million. Councillor David Perry, Leader of the Labour Group, raised concerns about the capital programme's slippage, which amounted to nearly £88 million, and urged consideration for investment in the Bannister Stadium's athletics track. Councillor David Ashton confirmed that the parking overspend from the previous year was largely balanced in the current year due to increased income from tariff changes.

Any Other Urgent Business

Cabinet noted a reference from Full Council concerning the 'Securing the Future Community Benefit of the Wealdstone Centre Motion'. A report on this matter will be presented to a future Cabinet meeting.

The meeting was declared closed at 8:12 pm.

Decisions Made:

• Harrow SEND Reform Plan 2026-2029: Submission, Endorsement and Next Steps: Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in).
• Crisis and Resilience Fund 2026-2029: Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in).
• Homes for Ukraine Scheme: Recommendations Approved.
• Harrow Council's Domestic Abuse and Safe Accommodation Service: Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in).
• Parking Management Information Systems (PMIS) Contract: Recommendations Approved.
• Framework for fencing, gates, security assets and ancillary groundworks contract: Recommendations Approved.
• Extension & Variation of the Provision of Fuel Card Services Contract: Recommendations Approved.
• Ewart House Care and Wellbeing Service Commissioning: Recommendations Approved.
• Procurement pipeline 2026-2027 and the subsequent two years 2027-2029 and a review of procurement delivery 2025-2026: Recommendations Approved (noting report, call-in did not apply).
• Council Insurance Renewals 2027: Recommendations Approved.
• Treasury Management Annual Outturn Report 2025/26: Recommendations Approved (noting report, call-in did not apply).
• Revenue & Capital Budget Outturn Report 2025-26: Recommendations Approved (noting report, some additions/amendments to Capital Programme approved).
• Reference from Full Council - Securing the Future Community Benefit of the Wealdstone Centre Motion: Noted and agreed that a report will be presented to a future Cabinet meeting.