Harrow Council has extended its consultancy contract with Darna Management Consultants for an additional three months, at a cost of £237,496. This brings the total contract value to £712,496. The decision, made during a Cabinet meeting on 30 October 2025, aims to ensure the continued progress of the council's Regeneration Programme until 31 July 2026. The Strategic Director of Housing and Regeneration is authorised to negotiate and approve the extension.
The Cabinet also noted the intention to award a contract to Red Loft Housing to run from November 2026 until the end of July 2026 at a new contract value of £114,750, and to award a contract to Avison Young through the Crown Commercial Services Management Framework for a period of 12 months with an option to extend for a further 12 months at a total cost of £155,000. The change of appointed external legal consultants from Pinsent Mason to Bevan Brittan was also noted.
The council's Regeneration Programme is considered vital to deliver key projects within the borough. Emma Talbot, Strategic Director for Housing and Regeneration, emphasized the importance of securing continued support from consultants. Councillor Marilyn Ashton, Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Planning & Regeneration, added that the council must be ready and able to deliver an ambitious programme.
Councillor Stephen Greek, Portfolio Holder for Performance, Communications & Customer Experience, declared a pecuniary interest in that he was a council appointee on the Harrow Strategic Development Partnership, but remained in the room and did not vote on the item due to a dispensation.
The Harrow Strategic Development Partnership is defined as a long-term collaboration between public and private sector organisations to deliver regeneration projects.
