Major regeneration projects in Harrow will benefit from engagement between Labour and Conservative councillors and the wider public according to a council report.

A Harrow Council scrutiny committee report assessing major building schemes in the borough suggested cross-party work is key to achieving successful outcomes.

It noted that, following the recent General Election, arrangements on how to advance cross-party engagement should be “formalised”.

The report also called for the establishment of a “public forum” to allow residents to help shape the future of Harrow.

Harrow Conservatives have criticised the Labour-run administration in the past for “failing” to work together on key building projects.

In June, they suggested some senior councillors have “no intention” of engaging on such matters and referenced several cancelled meetings on the subject.

But Cllr Graham Henson, leader of Harrow Council, defended his approach and said cross-party engagement is “better than it has been in the past”.

He added that holding meetings “for the sake of it” is unproductive and said the council will continue to work collectively on regeneration.

The scrutiny report noted the work of the split-party major developments panel, which meets quarterly, but proposed the possibility of establishing a new ‘regeneration panel’ given the impact of future projects in Harrow.

It added that there will be “further opportunities” for work involving councillors from both sides of the chamber once a strategic development partner has been procured for the upcoming projects.