Before then, the administration had been in detailed discussions with the voluntary organisation Kids Can Achieve about placing the Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) at Cedars Hall.
The PRU provides education for some of Harrow’s most vulnerable and high-risk children.
However, at the recent cabinet meeting, Labour changed its mind, deciding to locate the PRU at the former Bentley Day Centre.
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As the councillor representing the ward where the two sites are located, I grilled Labour cabinet members at the meeting and urged them to take a different approach.
Both these sites are in residential areas, yet Labour made this decision at the last possible minute without consulting anyone who lives nearby.
They have also waived the council’s call-in process so that nobody — neither the public nor other councillors — can scrutinise the decision. It is a complete slap in the face for local residents.
Labour has also treated Kids Can Achieve appallingly — the first it knew about this relocation was when it suddenly appeared in the cabinet papers.
KCA is a hard-working voluntary organisation supporting young people in need. It is an asset to Harrow and does not deserve to be treated like this, especially after Labour promised to put the voluntary sector at the heart of decision making.
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The council must now act quickly to repair this damage by engaging properly with residents and others to secure the future of Kids Can Achieve in Harrow.
Councillor Stephen Greek
Con/Harrow Weald Harrow Borough Council
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