The Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Harrow Council was scheduled to discuss its annual report for the 2025-2026 municipal year. The meeting agenda also included provisions for public questions and petitions.

Scrutiny Annual Report 2025-2026

The committee was scheduled to consider and approve the Scrutiny Annual Report for 2025-2026, which outlines the activities of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, its sub-committees, and scrutiny lead councillors during the past municipal year. This report, developed by the Scrutiny Leadership Group, details the work undertaken in key areas such as financial sustainability and budget scrutiny, safeguarding oversight, workforce stability, and strategic direction through the Corporate Plan. The report also provides an overview of the Health and Social Care Sub-Committee's work, including monitoring NHS partners and examining pressures on adult social care services, as well as the Performance and Finance Scrutiny Sub-Committee's focus on financial performance and operational delivery. The Scrutiny Leads for Community, People, and Resources were also highlighted for their work in strengthening council services and ensuring residents' experiences informed service development. The report was to be submitted to Full Council for endorsement.

The report indicated that Scrutiny had prioritised and continued to focus on key challenges impacting Harrow's residents. A significant focus during the 2025-2026 period was the Inspecting Local Authority Children's Services (ILACS) review, which required detailed examination. The report noted that Scrutiny had made a meaningful impact by reviewing several items and posing direct, relevant questions that have strengthened understanding of Council processes. It also highlighted the value added to Harrow's communities through scrutiny members' engagement with residents, ensuring community voices were heard.

Key priorities for the 2025-2026 work programme included financial sustainability and budget scrutiny, with reviews of the Final Revenue Budget for 2026/27 and the Medium-Term Financial Strategy to 2028/29. Improved safeguarding oversight was also a focus, with an examination of the Harrow Safeguarding Children Partnership Report. Workforce stability and service capacity were addressed through scrutiny of the Workforce Development Programme and reliance on agency staff. Strategic direction was considered through the review of the new Corporate Plan 2026-27, ensuring alignment with Harrow's overarching priorities: Putting residents first, Making the borough safe and clean, and Supporting those in need. Finally, monitoring performance and service delivery was a continuous responsibility.

The report also detailed the work of the sub-committees. The Health and Social Care Sub-Committee monitored NHS partners, reviewed primary care access, and examined pressures on adult social care services. The Performance and Finance Scrutiny Sub-Committee focused on financial performance, operational delivery, and service provision, noting that Harrow remained in a comparatively strong financial position relative to other London boroughs. The work of the Scrutiny Leads for Community, People, and Resources was also summarised, detailing their focus on resident engagement, neighbourhood resilience, services for children and adults, and internal council operations.

The report concluded by outlining future priorities for scrutiny, including long-term financial sustainability, regeneration, children's social care improvement, digital transformation, customer service performance, and the reduction of health inequalities.

Public Questions and Petitions

The agenda also included an item to receive any public questions submitted by the deadline of 3.00 pm on 6 March 2026. Additionally, any petitions submitted by members of the public or councillors were to be received.

Other Business

The agenda also allowed for Any Other Business which could not otherwise be dealt with.

The meeting was scheduled to be held at The Auditorium - Harrow Council Hub, Kenmore Avenue, Harrow, HA3 8LU. The meeting was open to the public and could be viewed online via Harrow Council's webcasts.