Harrow Council’s most recent administration has defended its work over the past four years as the borough prepares for local elections on May 3.

Several members of the Labour-run council said they were “proud” of what they achieved since assuming office in 2014.

In the final cabinet meeting before the elections, council leader Cllr Sachin Shah and his colleagues were challenged on their record of maintaining and improving services in Harrow.

Cllr Paul Osborn, leader of Harrow Conservatives, said that some people are “absolutely disgusted” with the services they have received.

Addressing Cllr Graham Henson, who is responsible for the environment at Harrow Council, he questioned how he could be satisfied with his approach to bin collection.

“What planet are you living on?” he asked during councillors’ questions.

Mr Henson pointed out that the council has introduced new garden waste and food waste collection services, as well as a successful bulky waste collection service with “many satisfied customers”.

“We are recognised across London as having a great service,” he said. “I am proud that it is performing well with a dedicated workforce.”

He also hit out at the Conservative government, criticising them for imposing cuts on local authorities and making it challenging to operate.

This was a point that was backed up by several members of the cabinet, who championed their achievements in spite of the “cruel” Tory cuts.

Mr Shah said: “The cuts imposed on this council because of the Government have been outrageous and unnecessary.

“It shows that what we need is a Labour administration in Harrow and a Labour government in Westminster.”

Opposition councillors also scrutinised the recent decision to use a grant from the Mayor of London – which has been matched by private sector firms – to build a new town centre public square in Lyon Road.

They suggested that it could have a negative impact on other established market and shopping areas and could have been used elsewhere.

But Mr Shah was confident the scheme will be a success and provide a much-needed space for Harrow.

“They will complement each other – it’s about spreading out the options across the town centre,” he said.

He was then forced to bat away inquiries from Cllr Susan Hall, who referenced an earlier public question on his 2014 manifesto promise that £1 million worth of extra funding would be committed to “those in need”.

Pointing out that £200,000 had been used to support carers and combat domestic violence, she asked to know where the other £800,000 was being used.

Mr Shah argued that using it for millions in overall base funding is “a far better way” of approaching the issue, though Ms Hall was far from convinced by the response.

The council leader concluded that he was “confident” that the elections in May would return a Labour administration and that he is looking forward to answering more questions in the future.

Naturally this was disputed by the Conservative councillors who urged voters to put them in charge, as they promised to “look after the people of Harrow”.