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Cabinet - Thursday 24 September 2026 6.30 pm
September 24, 2026 at 6:30 pm Cabinet View on council website Watch video of meeting Read transcript (Professional subscription required)Summary
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The Cabinet meeting on 24 September 2026 addressed a range of important issues for Harrow residents, including the future of parking in Rayners Lane, the vibrancy of Harrow Town Centre, and the council's budget monitoring. Key decisions included approving the permanent implementation of the Rayners Lane Red Route traffic order with modifications, and recommending the retention of the current Council Tax Support Scheme for another year.
Rayners Lane Red Route Made Permanent
Cabinet approved making the experimental Red Route traffic order in Rayners Lane, Alexandra Avenue, and Village Way East permanent. This decision followed a six-month trial which demonstrated a significant reduction in double parking (up to 80-85% on Fridays and Sundays) and improved traffic flow and safety in the town centre. Minor modifications were also approved to address issues raised during the trial, including revising loading bay operating hours, retaining 24-hour motorcycle bays, reinstating a taxi bay outside Rayners Lane station, and improving pick-up and drop-off provisions on adjacent roads. Councillor David Ashton, Portfolio Holder for Finance and Highways, stated that the scheme had delivered significant improvements to the operation of the town centre.
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Harrow Town Centre's Future
Councillor Chitna Lai, Portfolio Holder for Business and Property, addressed concerns about the vibrancy of Harrow Town Centre in light of shop and bank closures. She outlined a multi-faceted approach including public realm improvements, support for local businesses through the Harrow Means Business
programme, and the development of a Harrow Town Centre Master Plan. Data presented showed encouraging trends, with footfall up by 5% and vacant floor space down from 8.3% to 3.9% between June 2025 and June 2026. Councillor Lai acknowledged the wider issue of post office and bank closures, stating that the council is researching new models to service these needs.
Council Tax Support Scheme Retained
Cabinet resolved to recommend to Full Council the retention of the existing Council Tax Support Scheme for 2027/28. A further review will be reported in early 2027/28. Councillor David Ashton, Portfolio Holder for Finance and Highways, noted that Harrow's Council Tax collection rate remains within the upper quartile for London boroughs, despite national trends of diminishing collection rates. The council also committed to working with other services to determine a package of wider support measures for Council Tax Support claimants.
Budget Monitoring and Financial Pressures
The Q1 Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring Report revealed a forecast overspend of £3 million. Significant pressures were identified in Children's Services, particularly concerning residential placements for children looked after and care leavers (£4.1 million) and support for children with disabilities (£1.8 million). Adult Services also reported pressures on its placement budget (£1.5 million) despite an increased budget. Housing Services faces a £1.8 million cost pressure due to increased demand for temporary accommodation. The Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) reported a projected overspend of £24 million on the high needs block, contributing to a cumulative deficit of £54 million by March 2027. However, government support is expected to cover 90% of this deficit, subject to the approval of a local reform plan.
Other Key Decisions
- Rayners Lane Parking: Councillor Graham Henson raised concerns about delays in the statutory consultation for a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) on the Rayners Lane estate, noting that parking conditions have worsened. Councillor David Ashton, Portfolio Holder for Finance and Highways, stated that the wider review of the CPZ programme has been temporarily paused, with a decision expected by the end of October. He offered to discuss interim enforcement measures for commercial vehicles.
- Wheelstone Centre Asset: Councillor Angella Murphy-Strachan questioned the steps being taken to market or reallocate the former Red Brick Café space in the Wheelstone Centre. Councillor Chetna Halai, Portfolio Holder for Business and Property, confirmed that a local property agent has been appointed and the space is expected to go live on the market within days.
- Byron Park Safety: In response to Councillor Yusuf Yusuf's question about safety in Byron Park, Councillor Paul Osborn, Leader of the Council, outlined actions being taken with the community safety team and police, including increased visible patrols and a day of action in the area. He also confirmed that CCTV would be considered for the park if an evidence base could be established.
- Climate Emergency Film Screening: Councillor Mike Williams proposed organising a screening of
The People's Climate Emergency
film for council officers. Councillor Osborn declined, stating it was not the best use of officers' time, though he acknowledged taking climate change seriously and sitting on the net zero local delivery group. - Harrow Careline: Cabinet approved the renewal of arrangements with Brent Council and Ealing Council for the Harrow Careline service, a personal alarm and telecare service supporting vulnerable residents. Cabinet also approved a new 3-year contract with Careium UK Ltd for digital telecare alarm units.
- Corporate Postal Contract: The renewal of the corporate postal contract with Royal Mail was approved for up to 18 months, with a value of up to £1.5 million. A reprocurement process, either independently or collaboratively with other boroughs, will be undertaken later.
- Crisis and Resilience Fund: Cabinet resolved to note the ongoing discussions with the Department for Work and Pensions regarding the use of the Crisis and Resilience Fund for Free School Meal support during school holidays, and to note the letter from the Leader of the Council to the Secretary of State seeking clarification.
- Minor Works Framework: Approval was given to commence procurement for a new open framework for Minor Works, Mechanical Works and Electrical Works, with an estimated aggregate value of £35.5 million.
- Article 4 Direction on HMOs: Cabinet confirmed the borough-wide Article 4 Direction relating to small Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), requiring planning permission for conversions from dwelling houses to small HMOs. This decision aims to control proliferation and protect the character of residential areas.
- Annual Housing Complaints Report: Cabinet noted the Annual Housing Complaints Report 2025/2026, approved the Housing Complaints Policy, and approved the Governing Body's response to the report as set out in appendix 4. Councillor Christopher Baxter, Portfolio Holder for Housing, acknowledged the need for significant improvement in complaint handling.
- Young Adult Transition Support: Approval was given to develop a supported living scheme for young adults aged 18-25 with social care needs. This aims to provide local, high-quality, affordable places and reduce reliance on expensive out-of-borough placements.
- Vehicle Replacement Programme: Contracts and funding were approved for the purchase of 86 vehicles, including refuse collection vehicles, tippers, cars, vans, cranes, and dumpers. This was a like-for-like replacement of existing fleet vehicles.
- Fleet Vehicle Replacement Parts: A direct award contract for fleet vehicle replacement parts with Fleet Factors Ltd was approved for an initial term of 2 years, with an option to extend for a further 2 years, at an annual value of £480,000.
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Councillor David Ashton, Portfolio Holder for Finance and Highways, stated that the scheme had delivered
significant improvements to the operation of the town centre.
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Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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Annual Housing Complaints Report 2025/2026
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet decided to approve the Annual Housing Complaints Report and the new Housing Complaints Policy. They also delegated authority to the Director of Housing to make minor amendments to the policy.
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Award of Contract for Fleet Vehicle Replacement Parts
Recommendations ApprovedHarrow Cabinet approved the direct award of a contract for fleet vehicle replacement parts to Fleet Factors Ltd on 24 September 2026. The decision delegates authority to the Strategic Director for Culture, Environment & Economy to finalise the procurement. The contract is for the supply of parts via the NEPO201 Framework for an initial term of 2 years with an option to extend for a further 2 years.
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Confirmation of the Borough-wide Article 4 Direction relating to small Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)
Recommendations ApprovedHarrow Cabinet confirmed the borough-wide Article 4 Direction relating to small Houses in Multiple Occupation on 24 September 2026. The decision makes permanent the requirement for planning permission for the conversion of a dwelling house to a small HMO. This includes delegating authority to the Chief Planning Officer and Strategic Director of Legal and Governance to carry out all required confirmation procedures.
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Procurement of corporate postal contract with Royal Mail
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet decided to approve a direct award to Royal Mail for postal services. This decision was made on 24/09/2026. The Cabinet approved a direct award to Royal Mail for up to 18 months with a value of up to £1,500,000, granted approval to undertake a reprocurement independently or collaboratively at a later date, and delegated authority to the Strategic Director of Resources & Innovation to make decisions regarding the procurement and award of the new contract.
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Harrow Careline - Ealing IAA
Recommendations ApprovedHarrow's Cabinet approved recommendations on 24 September 2026. The Cabinet delegated authority to the Strategic Director of Resources and Innovation to enter into a new Inter-Authority Agreement with Ealing Council for the continued provision of the Careline service for an initial term of five years with an option to extend for a further two years.
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Minor, Mechanical and Electrical (MME) Framework
Recommendations ApprovedHarrow Cabinet approved commencing a competitive procurement for a Minor, Mechanical and Electrical Works framework on 24 September 2026. The framework will be an open, three-lot structure with an estimated maximum aggregate value of £35.5m. Authority was delegated to the Strategic Director of Housing and Regeneration to make non-material changes, appoint suppliers, enter framework agreements, exercise extension provisions, and award call-off contracts.
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Outcome of the Six Month Experimental Traffic Order Trial
Recommendations ApprovedHarrow Cabinet approved making the Rayners Lane Red Route experimental traffic order permanent on 24/09/2026. The decision included revising loading bay operating hours, retaining motorcycle bays, reinstating a taxi bay, and improving pick-up and drop-off provision.
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Harrow Careline - Brent IAA
Recommendations ApprovedHarrow Cabinet approved recommendations on 24/09/2026. The Cabinet delegated authority to the Strategic Director of Resources and Innovation to enter and execute a new Inter-Authority Agreement with Brent Council for the continued provision of the Careline service for an initial term of five years with options to extend.
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Review of 2025/6 Council Tax Support Scheme
Recommendations ApprovedHarrow's Cabinet recommended to Full Council the approval and retention of the existing Council Tax Support Scheme for 2027/28 on 24 September 2026. The Cabinet also noted the report's contents and approved working with other services to determine wider support measures for claimants.
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Revenue & Capital Budget Monitoring Report Q1 2026-27
Recommendations ApprovedHarrow Council's Cabinet approved the Revenue & Capital Budget Monitoring Report for Q1 2026-27 on 24 September 2026. The Cabinet noted the forecast revenue and capital outturn positions and approved proposed additions and amendments to the Capital Programme.
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Crisis and Resilience Fund 2026-29: Free School Meal Support During School Holidays
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Harrow Council noted ongoing discussions with the Department for Work and Pensions regarding Free School Meal support during school holidays as part of the Crisis and Resilience Fund 2026-29. They also noted a letter from the Leader of the Council to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions seeking clarification on this matter. The council is awaiting a response from the Secretary of State.
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Award of Contracts and Funding for the Vehicle Replacement Programme
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet decided to approve the award of contracts and funding for the purchase of 86 vehicles on 24 September 2026. This decision included the procurement of 33 Refuse Collection Vehicles, 33 tippers, 8 cars, 8 small vans, 2 cranes, and 2 dumpers.
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Acquisition and refurbishment of a property for children and young adult transition support
Recommendations ApprovedHarrow Cabinet approved the acquisition and refurbishment of a property for young adult transition support on 24 September 2026. The decision included approving plans for a supported living scheme, delegating authority for property acquisition and contract finalisation, and commencing procurement for refurbishment works.
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Procurement of new Digital Telecare Alarm units
Recommendations ApprovedHarrow Cabinet approved a new 3-year contract with Careium UK Ltd on 24/09/2026. The decision was to procure new digital telecare alarm units, associated peripherals, maintenance, and support services. This includes a direct award call-off from the NHC Technology Enabled Lives framework with an estimated value of £573,000 per annum.
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