The Performance and Finance Scrutiny Sub-Committee was scheduled to consider a comprehensive update on the council's performance across its key priorities. This included a detailed review of the council's strategic performance for the first quarter of the 2026-27 financial year, alongside an examination of the final revenue budget for 2026/27 and the medium-term financial strategy.

Performance Update

The sub-committee was scheduled to receive a detailed report on the council's performance for Quarter 1 of the 2026-27 financial year, as outlined in the council's corporate plan, 'Restoring Pride in Harrow'. This report was to be arranged by the three key priorities: A council that puts residents first, A borough that is clean and safe, and A place where those in need are supported. The report was expected to summarise progress against flagship actions and key performance indicators, with a RAG (Red-Amber-Green) status provided for each.

The report was scheduled to highlight achievements such as the successful delivery of the 2026 Local Elections, the positive reception of the new Resident Contact Centre, and improvements in resident communication through in-house technology. Challenges were also to be addressed, including financial pressures in critical service areas like social care, homelessness, and SEND¹, as well as meeting demand for Council Tax and Benefits enquiries.

A Chair's tracker of underperforming areas was also scheduled to be presented, detailing specific indicators that were not meeting targets. These included metrics related to customer call answer rates and wait times for the Contact Centre and for Revenues and Benefits, litter assessment, recycling rates, and compliance checks for council dwellings. Performance indicators for Children's Services, Adult Social Care, and public health were also flagged for review.

The report was to include a summary of performance by priority, detailing the number of flagship actions rated as Green, Amber, or Red, and completed. For the Residents First priority, it was noted that one flagship action was completed, eight were progressing on track, and one was behind schedule. Under Clean and Safe, seven actions were on track, with two completed, and one related to recycling behind schedule. For Supporting those in need, six actions were on track, one was completed, and five were rated amber.

The report was to recommend that the Performance & Finance Sub-Committee consider and remark on the report. It was also to detail the legal implications, noting the council's duty under Section 3 of the Local Government Act 1999 to secure continuous improvement in its functions.

Final Revenue Budget 2026/27 and Medium Term Financial Strategy to 2028/29

The sub-committee was scheduled to consider the Final Revenue Budget for 2026/27 and the Medium Term Financial Strategy up to 2028/29. This report had previously been considered by the Cabinet on 19 February 2026. Members were to be updated on the budget position since the draft budget was presented in December 2025, when there was a reported budget gap of £32.5 million. This gap had subsequently reduced to approximately £11 million following the Fair Funding Review announced in late December 2025. The final budget report was to set out a projected budget gap of £10.2 million over a three-year period. Members were scheduled to seek clarity on whether further reductions to the budget gap were anticipated, with advice that further government funding was unlikely.

Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring Report 2025-26 Q3

The Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring Report for Quarter 3 of 2025-26 was also scheduled for review. This report, previously considered by Cabinet on 19 February 2026, was to set out the council's projected revenue and capital outturn positions for 2025-26, based on information available at the end of Q3 (31 December 2025). Members were to ask questions regarding the causes of capital programme slippage, with reference to Appendix 3 of the report for details. The report was also to address the effectiveness of control over capital spending, with assurances of robust measures in place to prevent wastage. Queries regarding housing benefits paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and direct council payments were also anticipated.