The Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Harrow Council met on Tuesday 8 April 2025 to review the Scrutiny Annual Report 2024-25 and the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy Report. The committee resolved to recommend the approval of the Scrutiny Annual Report, subject to comments, and to note the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy Report, forwarding its comments to the Cabinet.

Scrutiny Annual Report 2024-25

Members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee received and discussed the Draft Scrutiny Annual Report 2024-25. This report, developed by the Scrutiny Leadership Group, outlines the committee's activities during the 2024-2025 municipal year. Concerns were raised that the draft report resembled the Council's Corporate Plan rather than a true scrutiny document, lacking feedback on previously identified issues and areas for improvement. Members also expressed frustration over the late submission of reports from officers, which hinders effective scrutiny. To address these concerns and improve future scrutiny practices, the committee agreed to make the Centre for Public Scrutiny Report (2017) available to relevant members.

The committee resolved to recommend to the Council that the Scrutiny Annual Report 2024-2025 be approved, subject to the comments made during the meeting. Additionally, it was resolved that the Centre for Public Scrutiny Report (2017) would be provided to the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Scrutiny Lead Members, and Chairs and Vice-Chairs of Scrutiny Sub-Committees to learn best practices.

Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy Report

The committee also received the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy Report, which details a review of homelessness and rough sleeping in Harrow for the period 2025-2030. This strategy is a statutory requirement under the Homelessness Act 2002¹.

During the discussion, members raised concerns about the conversion rate of applicants to homelessness applications, with only 43% proceeding. It was explained that various interventions, such as engaging with property owners and family support, aim to prevent individuals from needing to make a formal homelessness application.

Questions were raised regarding the housing of domestic abuse victims, and it was confirmed that the Domestic Abuse Act 2024 provides new regulations to protect such individuals, leading to them being rehoused away from perpetrators. The committee also discussed the eviction of tenants in supported living, highlighting the need for better coordination with the Adult Social Care Team to ensure alternative accommodation is found.

Members requested that the strategy include clear, actionable plans and matrices for homelessness prevention. The report acknowledged that international events, such as conflict and economic migration, are serious risk factors for homelessness and would be included in the final report. The engagement with communities and faith-based organisations to tackle rough sleeping was confirmed.

The committee heard that refugees, after their asylum applications are approved, are no longer entitled to government-funded accommodation and may become homeless if they cannot secure their own housing, leading to local authorities taking responsibility for their housing needs. Concerns were also raised about the increase in armed forces veterans experiencing homelessness, with confirmation that while they are prioritised for housing, underlying issues such as mental health problems and family breakdown contribute to this rise. The committee requested that the Housing Allocation Strategy be brought forward for scrutiny once finalised.

The committee resolved to note the report and forward its comments to the Cabinet for consideration.