Harrow Council praised for services and leadership
Published 11th December 07
Harrow Council was commended by a leading local government review team this week as an ambitious authority with strong leadership, high quality services and a strong desire to move forward.
The review, carried out at the Council's invitation by the national Improvement and Development Agency, found that while there was much work to be done, the council's flagship actions were a very powerful initiative with the capacity to make a real difference to people's lives.
Chris Bowron, I&DeA review manager, said: "I have picked up a real sense of Harrow as an ambitious authority - one that is very focussed and very determined. The new chief executive is responding to challenges in a manner that is demonstrating huge energy and commitment."
He particularly praised some of the more innovative work the council had demonstrated and many of the partnership initiatives such as the Weeks of Action, the Borough Beat project, the Children's centres and the Annual Youth conference.
However, the review noted that customer satisfaction with the council remained below the London average and there was much work to do in this area in order to improve the public's view of the council and the borough as a whole.
The review looked at the council's work with partnership organisations. While much good work is already taking place the review team felt there were opportunities to take the relationships to an even higher level in the interests of our residents.
Chris Bowron concluded: "Things are clearly on the move but there is more work to do in order for the council to achieve its objective of becoming one of the best councils in London by 2012."
Chief Executive Michael Lockwood welcomed the feedback and said: "It has been 18 months since the elections and seven months since I started as Chief Executive. The review team included chief executives, senior councillors and officers from other authorities. We welcomed the depth of their experience, their recognition of our achievements and the challenges they have identified going forward."
"We want to invest in the key issues that local people have said are their priorities and clearly we are going in the right direction."
Leader of the council Chris Mote thanked staff for their participation in the review and extended his thanks to the members of the I&DeA team. He said: "It is up to us to now take all these ideas on board and improve upon them so that we will achieve our objectives of becoming one of the best councils in London in 2012."
Chris Bowron, I&DeA review manager, said: "I have picked up a real sense of Harrow as an ambitious authority - one that is very focussed and very determined. The new chief executive is responding to challenges in a manner that is demonstrating huge energy and commitment."
He particularly praised some of the more innovative work the council had demonstrated and many of the partnership initiatives such as the Weeks of Action, the Borough Beat project, the Children's centres and the Annual Youth conference.
However, the review noted that customer satisfaction with the council remained below the London average and there was much work to do in this area in order to improve the public's view of the council and the borough as a whole.
The review looked at the council's work with partnership organisations. While much good work is already taking place the review team felt there were opportunities to take the relationships to an even higher level in the interests of our residents.
Chris Bowron concluded: "Things are clearly on the move but there is more work to do in order for the council to achieve its objective of becoming one of the best councils in London by 2012."
Chief Executive Michael Lockwood welcomed the feedback and said: "It has been 18 months since the elections and seven months since I started as Chief Executive. The review team included chief executives, senior councillors and officers from other authorities. We welcomed the depth of their experience, their recognition of our achievements and the challenges they have identified going forward."
"We want to invest in the key issues that local people have said are their priorities and clearly we are going in the right direction."
Leader of the council Chris Mote thanked staff for their participation in the review and extended his thanks to the members of the I&DeA team. He said: "It is up to us to now take all these ideas on board and improve upon them so that we will achieve our objectives of becoming one of the best councils in London in 2012."
Follow us on: