Volunteers will have a bigger voice after Harrow Council agreed to give them a seat on its cabinet.

Councillors voted at a meeting held last Thursday to add a member of the voluntary sector to the cabinet to give advice on policy decisions.

The amended constitution states that the member may speak but not vote on items in private and public meetings, and will also have access to documents.

Cllr David Perry said: “By having a member of the voluntary sector at the heart of decision making in the council, residents who use the services provided by all of our local voluntary and community organisations will be given a voice at Harrow Council.

“It can only be a good thing for residents across the borough that there will now be more debate and discussion at meetings where councillors will make decisions that affect everyone in our borough.”