There have previously been a number of local authorities responsible for the Harrow area. The current local authority was first elected in 1964, a year before formally coming into its powers and prior to the creation of the London Borough of Harrow on 1 April 1965. Harrow London Borough Council replaced Harrow Borough Council, which was formed when Harrow was incorporated in 1954. Harrow Urban District Council was the local authority from 1934 to 1954. Harrow Urban District Council replaced Harrow on the Hill Urban District Council, Wealdstone Urban District Council and Hendon Rural District Council, including Little Stanmore Parish Council, Great Stanmore Parish Council, Harrow Weald Parish Council and Pinner Parish Council, which were all created in 1894.[3]
It was envisaged that through the London Government Act 1963 Harrow as a London local authority would share power with the Greater London Council. The split of powers and functions meant that the Greater London Council was responsible for "wide area" services such as fire, ambulance, flood prevention, and refuse disposal; with the local authorities responsible for "personal" services such as social care, libraries, cemeteries and refuse collection. As an outer London borough council it has been an education authority since 1965. This arrangement lasted until 1986 when Harrow London Borough Council gained responsibility for some services that had been provided by the Greater London Council, such as waste disposal. Since 2000 the Greater London Authority has taken some responsibility for highways and planning control from the council, but within the English local government system the council remains a "most purpose" authority in terms of the available range of powers and functions.[4]
Powers and functions
The local authority derives its powers and functions from the London Government Act 1963 and subsequent legislation, and has the powers and functions of a London borough council. It sets council tax and as a billing authority also collects precepts for Greater London Authority functions and business rates.[5] It sets planning policies which complement Greater London Authority and national policies, and decides on almost all planning applications accordingly. It is a local education authority and is also responsible for council housing, social services, libraries, waste collection and disposal, traffic, and most roads and environmental health.[6]
Councillors
As of 5 May 2022, the composition of Harrow Council is 31 Conservative councillors to 24 Labour councillors:
