The Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Harrow Council met on Tuesday 8 July 2025 for a question and answer session with the Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Osborn, and the Managing Director, Alex. The meeting focused on recent council improvements, ongoing challenges, and future plans. Key discussions included the council's financial performance, street cleaning initiatives, road maintenance, and the paused special needs school project.

Council Finances and Service Improvements

Councillor Paul Osborn, Leader of the Council, reported that Harrow Council is in a strong financial position, with an underspend of £1.5 million, contrasting with significant overspends in many other London boroughs. He highlighted improvements in street cleaning, with a second shift now operating in town centres and increased collections in parks, alongside the installation of larger bins. Road maintenance has seen a substantial increase in pothole repairs, with over 7,000 potholes fixed in the last financial year, a significant rise from previous years. A new graffiti removal service, nicknamed Grindbusters, has also been launched and is reportedly making a positive impact.

Special Needs School Project Paused

A significant concern raised was the pause in funding for a proposed special needs school. Councillor Osborn expressed disappointment that the project, which could provide 292 places for children with special educational needs and disabilities, is awaiting clarity from central government, with decisions not expected until the autumn. This delay is particularly concerning given the current reliance on out-of-borough provision, which can involve long daily commutes for affected children. The council has secured a site and had funding allocated, but the pause by the Department for Education has halted progress.

Management Development and Financial Outlook

The Managing Director, Alex, announced the establishment of a permanent Corporate Leadership Team and the launch of the Harrow Ambition programme, a partnership with Bayes Business School. This initiative aims to provide management development training for the top 250 managers within the organisation, with the goal of improving decision-making and service delivery. Regarding the council's financial outlook, Alex noted that the impact of the Comprehensive Spending Review is still being assessed, but current modelling suggests Harrow will remain broadly unchanged in its funding settlements, unlike some inner London boroughs facing significant budget cuts and some outer London boroughs expecting gains. The government's assumption of a 5% annual council tax increase for the next three years was also highlighted as a key factor in future financial planning.

Waste Management and Recycling Initiatives

Councillor June Baxter raised the success of the drop-and-go recycling events held in North Harrow and Belmont Wards, noting the overwhelmingly positive resident reaction. It was confirmed that these events are planned to be rolled out to other wards, with a target of approximately once a month. Challenges in finding suitable locations that can accommodate vehicle influx were discussed. To increase capacity at the civic amenity site, the council is considering reducing appointment slots from 30 minutes to 15 minutes, which could create around 200 additional slots per week.

CCTV Policy and Public Realm Improvements

The committee was informed that a new CCTV policy would be considered by Cabinet in July. This policy is intended to address legal risks associated with using cameras in public spaces and ensure compliance with GDPR regulations. Discussions also touched upon the installation and subsequent removal of planters in the town centre, with Councillor Osborn explaining that those on College Road were too large for the location and would be relocated. The council remains committed to increasing greenery across the borough.

Road Maintenance and Town Centre Developments

Concerns were raised about ongoing road surfacing work on Station Road, which had led to multiple closures and affected local businesses. It was explained that multiple water leaks had caused damage to the road, requiring extensive work with the water company to rectify the situation. The council is also working with the Harrow Business Improvement District (BID) team to install new kiosks in St Anne's Road, while also ensuring adequate hostile vehicle mitigation measures are in place for pedestrianised areas.

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Provision

Further discussion on the SEND school project revealed that while the council has engaged with senior government officials, no clear timescale for funding has been provided. The council has proposed utilising the high needs block for funding, but this requires central government agreement. The potential impact of a new SEND school on existing school roll numbers was also discussed, with a general trend of falling birth rates across London leading to reduced demand for primary school places in some areas.

Enforcement and Financial Hardship Policy

The committee received an update on enforcement activities, including the issuance of fines and community protection notices. A new supplier for enforcement services began on 30 June, with a focus on improving payment rates. The council's policy on financial hardship was also mentioned, with a commitment to ensure that enforcement actions do not lead to destitution for residents facing economic difficulties.

Supported Living Houses and Organisational Planning

Questions were raised regarding the licensing and notification requirements for privately run supported living houses. While the council's direct involvement in licensing may be limited, with Ofsted or the CQC often being the relevant bodies, the council will investigate specific examples where residents have raised safety concerns. The importance of succession planning within the council was also highlighted, with a commitment to developing a management development strategy to ensure a pipeline of skilled staff and prevent long-term vacancies. The council is also reviewing its approach to managing sickness absence to improve productivity and reduce reliance on agency staff.

The meeting concluded with thanks to the Leader and Managing Director for their comprehensive responses. The committee requested a report on the council's organisation development and workplace strategy for a future meeting.