The Barnet Council cabinet met to discuss a range of issues, including financial planning, housing, environmental initiatives, and community safety. Key decisions included approving a temporary accommodation reduction plan, Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs), and a 20mph zone policy.

• Corporate Parenting Annual Report
• Allotment Governance and Management Task and Finish Group
• Food Security Task and Finish Group
• Financial Forecast 2025/26
• Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs)
• 20mph Zone Policy
• Temporary Accommodation Reduction Plan 2025-2030
• Household Recycling and Waste Policy
• Local Implementation Plan (LIP) Annual Spending Submission 2026/27
• Parks and Open Spaces Strategy (2025-2035)
• Brent Cross Update Report
• Silk House and Shoelands Court Outline Business Case
• Integrated Community Equipment Service Contract
• Tarmac Kier JV Depot Provision

Corporate Parenting Annual Report

Councillor Pauline Coakley Webb, Cabinet Member for Family Friendly Barnet, presented the Corporate Parenting Annual Report, highlighting the council's commitment to children and young people in care. The report acknowledged the outstanding support provided to children in care, as recognised by Ofsted. However, it also noted the need for improved reporting protocols following the deaths of two care leavers.

The cabinet agreed to several recommendations:

• To review member briefing protocols for notifiable cases, ensuring the lead member for children and young people is invited to attend meetings of the Barnet Safeguarding Children's Partnership¹ as a participating observer.
• To notify leaders of opposition groups and the shadow lead member of any deaths in a formal notification process.
• To notify all members of Lessons Learned reports when completed and available, with these referred to relevant scrutiny committees.
• To present an addendum to the Corporate Parenting Annual Report at the next cabinet meeting, detailing lessons learned from recent cases.

Councillor Coakley Webb emphasised the importance of transparency and collaboration with partners to improve services for children in care.

Allotment Governance and Management Task and Finish Group

Councillor Nagus Narenthira, presented the Allotment Governance and Management Task and Finish Group report, highlighting the work done to address issues at the Collindale allotments. Councillor Alan Schneiderman, Cabinet Member for Environment & Climate Change, presented the cabinet response. The cabinet agreed to endorse the recommendations of the report, which aimed to share learning with other allotments across Barnet and improve council management of allotments.

Food Security Task and Finish Group

Councillor Richard Barnes presented the Food Security Task and Finish Group report, which examined emergency food provision in the borough and alternative solutions. Councillor Alison Moore, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, presented the cabinet response. The cabinet approved the response, which included reviewing opportunities for drop-in and wraparound services at food banks, reviewing recommendations from the previous Food Partnership Food Security Summit report, and appointing Councillor Moore as a Food Champion to work with the partnership.

Financial Forecast 2025/26

Councillor Simon Radford, Cabinet Member for Financial Sustainability, presented the Financial Forecast 2025/26 report, highlighting that the council was forecasting to be within its overall budget at month six. He noted the challenges of demand-led services like temporary accommodation, and the importance of using digital tools to improve efficiency. The cabinet approved the report, including the write-offs for council tax, business rates, and housing benefit overpayments, and changes to the capital programme.

Councillor Radford also noted that he and other councillors had been lobbying MPs and other government officials to make the case for Barnet to receive more funding from central government.

Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs)

Councillor Conway presented the report on the authorisation of Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) in the London Borough of Barnet for a period of 3 years. The cabinet approved the four new PSPOs, which included continuing the existing borough-wide PSPO and adding new prohibitions on loitering in specific areas and pigeon feeding borough-wide.

20mph Zone Policy

Councillor Alan Schneiderman, Cabinet Member for Environment & Climate Change, presented the 20mph Zone Policy, which aimed to improve road safety and encourage active travel. The cabinet approved the policy and authorised its publication, inviting neighbourhoods to submit proposals for 20mph zones in their areas. The policy prioritises a neighbourhood-led approach, with the council also able to initiate zones in areas with identified safety issues.

Temporary Accommodation Reduction Plan 2025-2030

Councillor Ross Houston, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Homes and Regeneration, presented the Temporary Accommodation Reduction Plan 2025-2030, which outlined strategies to manage demand, increase supply, and minimise costs related to temporary accommodation. The cabinet approved the plan, recognising the significant financial pressures and the need for a comprehensive approach to address homelessness.

Household Recycling and Waste Policy

Councillor Alan Schneiderman, Cabinet Member for Environment & Climate Change, presented the report on the Household Recycling and Waste Policy, which was being updated to reflect the reintroduction of food waste collections. The cabinet approved the changes to the policy, which included details on container provision for different types of properties.

Local Implementation Plan (LIP) Annual Spending Submission 2026/27

Councillor Alan Schneiderman, Cabinet Member for Environment & Climate Change, presented the report on the Local Implementation Plan (LIP) Annual Spending Submission 2026/27, which outlined transport projects to be funded by Transport for London (TfL). The cabinet approved the submission, including projects related to road safety, bus priority, and cycle infrastructure. They also approved the decision to cancel the bus priority scheme at Regents Park Road following public engagement, while reaffirming their commitment to bus prioritisation schemes.

Parks and Open Spaces Strategy (2025-2035)

Councillor Alan Schneiderman, Cabinet Member for Environment & Climate Change, presented the Parks and Open Spaces Strategy (2025-2035), which set out a vision for the future of green spaces in Barnet. The cabinet approved the draft strategy for public consultation and delegated authority to the Executive Director for Communities, Adults and Health to make any amendments following consultation and for final approval, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change.

Brent Cross Update Report

Councillor Ross Houston, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Homes and Regeneration, presented the Brent Cross Update Report, highlighting progress on the Brent Cross Town regeneration project, including the completion of new homes, the opening of Neighbourhood Square, and the commencement of demolition works on the Whitefield Estate. The cabinet noted the report and delegated authority to the Chief Executive to finalise the sale of Plot 42.

Silk House and Shoelands Court Outline Business Case

Councillor Ross Houston, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Homes and Regeneration, presented the Outline Business Case for the redevelopment of Silk House and Shoelands Court, seeking approval to submit a planning application for the project. The cabinet approved the outline business case and authorised the submission of the planning application, delegating authority to the Executive Director of Growth to enter into an exclusivity agreement with Lovell Regeneration LLP.

Integrated Community Equipment Service Contract

Councillor Alison Moore, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, presented the report on the waiver of contract procedure rules for the direct award of the Integrated Community Equipment Service contract. The cabinet noted the decision taken by the Executive Director for Communities, Adults and Health, in consultation with the Leader, to directly award the contract to Provide Care Solutions Limited.

Tarmac Kier JV Depot Provision

Councillor Alan Schneiderman, Cabinet Member for Environment & Climate Change, presented the report on the Tarmac Kier JV Depot Provision, seeking approval to enter into a second deed of variation to enable the LB Barnet Term Maintenance contract to be operated from a new depot at Picketts Lock Lane in Enfield. The cabinet approved the recommendation.