Councillor Yogesh Teli has been elected as the new Mayor of Harrow for the 2026-2027 municipal year, taking on the ceremonial role at the annual council meeting on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
The election of the Mayor is the first item on the council's agenda, with nominations from councillors, each requiring a proposer and seconder. Councillor Nicola Blackman nominated Councillor Teli, highlighting his extensive experience as a councillor for Kenton and Edgware wards, his background in IT, and his charitable work. Councillor Paresh Chudasama seconded the nomination, praising Councillor Teli's leadership and community involvement.
Councillor Teli announced his intention to continue to serve and support this great community
and expressed his heartfelt belief that each one of us can make a difference,
urging, Let us start today.
His notable charitable work includes his outstanding service as chair of trustees for the Asciana Charitable Trust and his volunteer time for organ donation campaigns.
For the upcoming year, Councillor Teli has appointed Councillor Mina Parmar as his Deputy Mayor. Councillor Parmar expressed her honour and privilege in accepting the role, thanking colleagues, friends, and family for their support. She committed to working alongside the Mayor to serve the Harrow community, drawing on her previous experience as a Cabinet portfolio holder for housing, where she enjoyed supporting residents.
Ramji Chauhan has been appointed as the Mayor's chaplain for the municipal year. The chaplain's role involves opening council meetings with prayers, a duty previously fulfilled with dedication and grace by Chaplain Harish Paitrivedi.
The annual council meeting agenda also included a vote of thanks to the outgoing Mayor, Councillor Anjana Patel, whose remarkable and deeply meaningful year of service
was reflected upon. The meeting covered a range of other key issues and discussions, including the notification of the Deputy Mayor, the return of councillors elected at the Borough Elections, and forthcoming civic functions for 2026-2027. Further discussions involved declarations of interest, procedural motions, council minutes, the appointment of the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council, cabinet and committee memberships, appointments of chairs to council committees, representatives to outside bodies, dispensations for council members, the designation of the Statutory Director of Children's Services, and an amendment to the Members' Allowances Scheme. The Scrutiny Annual Report 2025-2026 and the Governance, Audit, Risk Management and Standards Committee Annual Report 2025/26 were presented. Information reports on the use of the Urgency Procedure and remuneration packages of £100,000 or greater were noted, and the dates of council meetings for 2026/27 were confirmed. These details can be found in the public reports pack.
The Mayor of Harrow presides over council meetings and undertakes various civic functions throughout the year. These typically include attending the Annual Civic Service, Battle of Britain Commemoration Service, Civic Wreath Laying, Remembrance Parade & Service, New Year's Day Parade, the Mayor's Charity Fundraising Event, and a Civic Service of Thanksgiving. The Mayor's term is for the municipal year, and the process for electing future mayors involves nominations from councillors, with a proposer and seconder for each nomination, followed by a vote if necessary.
