Harrow Council's financial risk register has flagged increasing homelessness and budget pressures as key concerns, alongside challenges in adult social care and health and safety compliance. These issues, which could significantly impact Harrow residents and council services if not effectively managed, were discussed at a recent Governance, Audit, Risk Management and Standards Committee (GARMS) meeting.

The Corporate Risk Register Update Q4 2024-2025 report, presented at the meeting, highlighted four key areas of concern, all rated as red risks. These include:

  • Increasing Homelessness: The council faces challenges in meeting the rising demand for temporary accommodation within its allocated budget.
  • Financial Instability: There is a risk of failing to deliver the council's approved Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) over the next three years. The report identifies that the council has a gap of around £9.5 million in terms of the published budget.
  • Adult Social Care Demand: Meeting the increasing demand for adult social care services within the set budget remains a significant challenge.
  • Health and Safety Duties: Ensuring the council fulfils its health and safety obligations is another area of concern.

These risks prompted discussion among committee members about potential interventions and strategies to mitigate the challenges. While the specific measures in place to manage health and safety, adult social care, and homelessness were discussed in relation to the risk register update, their effectiveness was not detailed in the meeting summary.

Alex, who introduced the Corporate Risk Register Update, noted the potential for intervention from central government, while also highlighting the measures in place to manage health and safety, adult social care, and homelessness.

The GARMS Committee agreed to the recommendations set out in the reports, signalling a commitment to addressing these challenges and improving the council's overall governance and financial stability.

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