The Council meeting scheduled for Thursday 22 February 2024 was set to cover a range of important financial and strategic matters, including the final budget for the upcoming year and the review of the council's corporate plan. A significant portion of the agenda was also dedicated to addressing concerns regarding NHS waiting times in Harrow.

NHS Waiting Times

A key item on the agenda was a motion concerning NHS waiting times, to be moved by Councillor David Perry and seconded by Councillor Natasha Proctor. The motion highlighted that 2023 marked 75 years of the National Health Service (NHS), an institution founded on the principle of universal healthcare free at the point of delivery. It stated that the NHS in Harrow is facing both an immediate crisis and a long-term challenge, with local doctors, nurses, and staff morale at an all-time low due to nearly 14 years of Conservative-led government policy. The motion detailed issues such as long waits to see a GP, delays in ambulance response times, lengthy queues in A&E, and over 7.5 million people on hospital waiting lists nationally.

Specifically for Harrow, the motion noted that waiting times are worse than the national average, with the median wait for all treatments in December 2023 being 18.2 weeks following referral. Furthermore, in January 2024, 52.6% of residents waited more than four hours to be seen in A&E, and NHS waiting lists have grown to record levels. The motion also pointed out that cancer treatment waiting times in Harrow are significantly longer than current NHS targets.

The council was scheduled to consider the belief that local authorities have a responsibility to show leadership, help bring agencies together, and champion residents' concerns regarding local health provision. It was also to consider that the current waiting times at LONDON NORTHWEST UNIVERSITY HEALTHCARE NHS TRUST are unacceptable and that residents deserve a better service from Northwick Park Hospital and other health agencies.

The resolution proposed that the council would call on the Leader of the Council and the Leader of the Opposition to demand a meeting with the Secretary of State for Health to highlight the local circumstances faced by Harrow residents experiencing excessive waiting times at Northwick Park Hospital. Additionally, the council was to invite the local Chief Executive and/or other Senior Health Representatives to a future meeting of Full Council, and to invite local residents and councillors to raise concerns and increase local participation so that future services can be more resident-led. All relevant steps would be taken through the Constitutional Review Working Group to facilitate this measure.

Financial and Strategic Planning

The meeting's agenda also included several significant financial and strategic items. These included the Members Allowances' Scheme 2024/25, the Corporate Plan 2023-26: Review of first year and Flagship Actions 2024/25, and the Final Revenue Budget 2024/25 and Medium Term Financial Strategy to 2026/27.

Further financial considerations were the Housing Revenue Account Budget 2024-25 & Medium-Term Financial Strategy 2025-26 to 2026-27, HRA Capital Programme 2024-25 to 2028-29 and 30 year HRA Business Plan, the Treasury Management Strategy Statement including Annual Investment Strategy for 2024/25 and Capital Strategy for 2024/25, and the Final Capital Programme 2024/25 to 2026/27.

The Calculation of Council Tax Base for 2024-2025 was also scheduled for discussion, alongside Non-Executive Fees and Charges 2024/25.

Other Business

Other items on the agenda included the Calendar of Meetings 2024/25, an Information Report on the Use of the Urgency Procedure Executive, and an Information Report on Remuneration and Severance Packages of £100,000 or greater. The meeting also allowed for Public Questions and Questions with Notice from Members of Council to members of the Executive or Chairs of Committees. Additionally, Procedural Motions and Petitions were scheduled to be received. The meeting was to be opened with prayers by Yogvivekdas Swami, Head Swami of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir ('Neasden Temple'). The Leader and Portfolio Holder Announcements were also scheduled, providing an opportunity for presentations and a question and answer session.