The Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting addressed the significant increase in empty homes in Barnet, exploring strategies to bring them back into use and improve council services. The committee also reviewed the council's approach to managing its estates and supporting the voluntary and community sector, alongside updates on ongoing task and finish group projects and the council's forward plan.

Empty Homes in Barnet

The committee discussed the alarming rise in empty homes in Barnet, with a 57% increase in long-term empty properties over the past year, bringing the total to 3,278. This surge has outpaced national and London averages, making Barnet the borough with the highest number of empty homes in London. While the introduction of a second homes premium has seen a 35% reduction in properties classified as second homes, the overall number of vacant properties remains a significant concern.

Councillor Ross Houston, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Homes and Regeneration, highlighted that while the council has limited direct control over all empty properties, efforts are being made to address the issue. The Housing Regulatory Services team, currently operating with limited resources, investigates complaints, promotes empty property grants, and is exploring the use of Empty Dwelling Management Orders (EDMOs). These grants aim to incentivise owners to bring properties back into use, with nomination rights for Barnet Homes to help address temporary accommodation needs. However, uptake has been low, with property owners reportedly hesitant to rent to the council at affordable rates.

Planning Enforcement also plays a role, with powers under Section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act to address properties detrimental to local amenity. The council is also reviewing its own long-term empty properties, with a review of over 300 initially identified properties leading to the resolution of 42 cases by December 2025.

The committee noted that additional resources could significantly enhance the council's capacity to tackle empty homes, including more proactive surveys, owner engagement, and direct action by the Planning Enforcement Team. Recommendations were made to explore opportunities to bring more empty properties into use, particularly those that could address temporary accommodation needs, and to review strategies for maximising compliance with council tax premiums on empty properties.

Estates and the Voluntary and Community Sector

Councillor Barry Rawlings, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Strategic Partnerships, Economy, and Effective Council, and Councillor Zahra Beg, Cabinet Member for Equalities, Poverty Reduction and the Voluntary & Community Sector, presented the council's approach to managing its estates and supporting the voluntary and community sector (VCS). The council operates a formal landlord-tenant relationship with VCS organisations, with lease negotiations managed by Chartered Surveyors.

A new Community Asset Panel, comprising officers and elected members, has been established to oversee the allocation of community assets, decisions on rent discounts, and the management of a Social Value Matrix. This matrix, which uses the same Social Value TOMs (themes, outcomes and measures) as used for council contractors, assigns monetary values to social outcomes to assess the benefits provided by VCS tenants. This new approach replaces the previous Community Benefit Assessment Tool (CBAT), which was externally managed and lacked transparency.

The introduction of a service charge on new leases aims to ensure the maintenance of community assets, addressing previous issues where the council often covered repair costs. While the new process has been generally well-received, some VCS groups have found the completion of the Social Value Matrix to be time-consuming. The council provides one-to-one support to assist groups with this process and is working to simplify the matrix and improve its online accessibility.

The committee raised concerns about transparency in decision-making and the reporting of outcomes, particularly for unsuccessful applicants. It was agreed that a link to published decisions would be provided to councillors, and an annual review of VCS group performance on social value would be conducted and reported to the committee. Recommendations were made to consider the reporting arrangements for the Community Asset Panel to enhance transparency, conduct an annual review of VCS group performance, and simplify the Social Value Matrix.

Task and Finish Group Updates

Fiona Rae, Overview and Scrutiny Manager, provided an update on the progress of various Task and Finish Groups. The Fast Food Task and Finish Group has been postponed due to perceived limitations in regulatory and legal avenues and insufficient resources, with a recommendation to revisit the topic in future years. Updates were also provided on the progress of groups focusing on fostering, young carers, and flats above shops (FLASH). The committee agreed that Task and Finish Group reports could be circulated and agreed by email up to May 2026, with reports later presented to the next available committee meeting.

Cabinet Forward Plan

The committee reviewed the Cabinet Forward Plan, noting upcoming key decisions. A report on the Capita Contract Review will be considered at an informal online meeting in February 2026. The committee also received a briefing on the Sustainable Design and Development Guidance Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) and confirmed that a formal report to the committee was not necessary. An update to the Council Tax Discretionary Relief Policy was also noted.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme

The committee reviewed its work programme for the upcoming year. The final budget report, originally scheduled for January, will now be considered at an informal online meeting in February. A request to review the process for Tree Preservation Order (TPO) enforcements has been added to the list of suggestions for the 2026-27 work programme. The committee also noted the upcoming public consultation on work programme items, encouraging wide dissemination to gather suggestions from the public and local organisations.