This week in Barnet:

• The Adults and Health Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee discussed the performance of adult social care services.
• The Planning Committee considered nine planning applications including two small childrens care homes, an 18-hole golf course and an extension to the Wellington Outpatient Centre on Golders Green Road.

Adults and Health Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee - Thursday 05 September 2024

The Adults and Health Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee met to receive a presentation on the Children’s Oral Health Action Plan for Barnet, and noted the three draft Quality Accounts. In addition, they considered reports on NHS cancer screening programmes, Adult Social Care performance, and received the minutes of a meeting of the North Central London Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Planning Committee (New) - Wednesday 04 September 2024

This meeting of the Planning Committee was scheduled to consider 10 planning applications from across the borough.

Two of the applications related to children's homes. The first was an application to change the use of 49 St James Avenue, originally submitted on 12 April 2024, to a children’s home for up to three children aged between 11 and 14 years old. The second was an application to change the use of Antian House, 4 Rundell Crescent, to a children’s care home, originally submitted on 19 January 2024. This home would also accommodate no more than 3 children.

Both applications attracted a significant number of objections from local people. In the case of 49 St James Avenue, the report to attendees stated that 150 objections had been received from local people, compared to only one letter of support. For Antian House, 34 objections were received.

The concerns raised about both applications were similar to those raised in previous emails about applications for children's homes, such as the application for 64 Church Road discussed in my email on 2024-07-14. Residents are often concerned about the impact of these homes on crime and anti-social behaviour, traffic levels, and property prices. However, as in the case of 64 Church Road, the council's highways and environmental health departments raised no objections to either of the applications.

It is important to note that there is a significant need for more children’s homes in Barnet. The report to attendees for the 49 St James Avenue application included a statement from the applicant, Brigitte Jordaan, stating:

“As of May 2024, Barnet have 324 looked after children, of which we currently have 39 children placed in external residential placements out of borough and 102 external foster placements out of borough…the property's proximity to public transport and local amenities, such as high streets, ensure that children can remain connected to the community and have access to essential resources without feeling isolated.”

The report prepared for the Antian House application also included a statement from the applicant referring to the need for more placements for looked after children.

The applications highlight the challenges faced by local authorities in balancing the need for more children's homes with the concerns of local residents.

The committee was also scheduled to consider a variation on an application to build an 18-hole golf course on Land West of Edgwarebury Farm. The application sought to alter levels at four of the holes, and included a request to alter the design of a pond, adding streams to the layout, and shortening the 18th hole.

This application has also attracted objections from local people. According to the report to attendees, these objections relate to a loss of green belt land and the impact of the development on traffic. The report states that 14 objections have been received from local people.

You may recall that the protection of the green belt is a key policy objective in the council's Local Plan.¹

The other applications scheduled to be considered by the committee related to a range of issues, including the redevelopment of Roman House, 296 Golders Green Road, to provide a new health centre and the conversion of 138 High Road to three self-contained flats.

The Employment Sub-Committee was scheduled to meet on Friday 30 August to discuss the appointment of a new Executive Director of Growth, and the minutes of the previous meeting of the sub-committee.

Employment Sub-Committee - Friday 30 August 2024

The Employment Sub-Committee was scheduled to meet on Friday 30 August 2024 to consider two items.

Appointment of the Executive Director of Growth

This was scheduled to be an exempt item, so the report pack is redacted. However, the publicly available agenda for the meeting suggests that the sub-committee were scheduled to consider a report on the appointment of a new Executive Director of Growth. The report was to be provided by the Interim Chief Executive, Cath Shaw.

The report requested that the committee appoint one of the candidates to the vacant position. The report explains that

The Sub-Committee are requested to consider the candidate information circulated in the exempt appendices and provided they are content that at least one of the candidates meets the criteria, to make an appointment to the vacant post.

The post of Executive Director Growth is a new role. According to the agenda for the meeting on 21 May 2024 at which the creation of the role was approved, the postholder would be responsible for Leading the regeneration, planning and development functions for the Council including planning policy; strategic planning and infrastructure; development management; regeneration and economic development; property and land management and housing strategy.

This continues a pattern observed in previous emails of senior management restructuring within Barnet Council. For example, in a previous email I reported on the council's decision to appoint a new Director of Public Health.

The report explains that the role was created following a decision of the council on 21 May 2024, to restructure the most senior management roles in the council. In the report this is described as

consequential changes to the senior management structure of the Council.

Minutes of the previous meeting

The sub-committee were also scheduled to approve the minutes of their previous meeting, which was held on 18 July 2024. This is a routine item that appears on the agenda of most council committees.

The Pension Fund Committee was scheduled to meet on Monday 29 July to discuss the performance of the Barnet Pension Fund, routine administration and a range of reports from advisors.

Pension Fund Committee - Monday 29 July 2024

The agenda for this meeting of the Pension Fund Committee included topics related to the performance of the investments held by the Barnet Pension Fund, routine administration and updates on the work of advisors. There was also a report on the previous year’s work by the Local Pension Board. Some of the topics were scheduled to be discussed in private session, and some of the documents that support the meeting agenda are redacted, so a full summary cannot be given.

Responsible Investment

A report by David Spreckley, Head of Pensions and Treasury at Barnet Council provided an update on the Fund’s plans for “Responsible Investment.”¹ The report focused on Nature-Based Solutions, in particular exploring an allocation towards the Nature-Based Solutions fund currently being developed by London CIV.²

Officers were scheduled to propose an allocation of 5% of the Fund's resources towards Nature-Based Capital, to be sourced from the existing allocation to Private Debt. However, the report notes that:

“This allocation will be reassessed once the form of the London CIV Fund has more clarity.”

The report also describes the work already completed to reduce the carbon footprint of the Fund’s core investments in equities, bonds and property.

Investment Strategy

A report on investment strategy covered the transactions undertaken by the Fund in the 4 months from March 2024 to June 2024. It also included proposals to increase the cash management limits for the Pemberton Trade Finance Fund and the Allianz Trade Finance Fund, to £50 million and £40 million respectively.

The report scheduled for discussion also included proposals to reallocate 6.5% of the Fund’s resources from the LGIM Future Worlds Fund to the LCIV PEPPA Fund, and proposals to transfer the LGIM RAFI Fund to the LGIM RAFI CTI fund. Both of these proposals were scheduled to be contingent on the production of product suitability and assurance notes by Hymans Robertson.³

Administration Performance Report and Update On Other Administration And Legislative Matters

The report pack included an update on the performance of the administrators, West Yorkshire Pension Fund.⁴ The update was scheduled to note that in May, West Yorkshire Pension Fund had processed 965 cases with 90.06% of cases being completed within the agreed service level agreements.

The report also contained information on:

• Data improvement.
• Annual Benefit Statements.
• The Pensions Dashboard programme.
• Finance updates.
• The Pensions Fund Engagement Strategy.
• The Pensions Regulator's new General Code of Practice.

Risk Management Review

This item included updates to the Pension Administration Risk Register and the Non-Administration Risk Register.

These registers record the perceived risks and levels of risk to the Barnet Pension Fund.

For example, one entry in the Pension Administration Risk Register states:

ADM18 - Failure to produce compliant annual report and accounts within deadline - “The Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015(2022 amendment) require audited accounts to be published on the 30th September after the year end. The risk of the Pension Fund Accounts not being published is that the Council Accounts will not be complete.”

The update to the Pension Administration Risk Register was scheduled to note that the risk score of this entry had been increased to 6.

The Non-Administration Risk Register update was scheduled to note that a new risk, “ESG Opportunity/Risk,” was to be added to the register.

Local Pension Board – Annual Report

This report contained an update on the work of the Local Pension Board⁵ during 2023-24.

The report contained details of the training that Board members had completed during the year, including:

• The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA)⁶ Annual Local Pension Board Training – Autumn 2023.
• The Pensions Regulator – Knowledge and Understanding Duty Toolkit, Learning Resources and Refresh.
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) Governance Conference Spring 2024 – LPB and SAB Update.
• LGPS Online Learning Academy – Spring 2024 LPB.

External Audit and Accounts Update

This report provided an update on the outstanding audit of the 2020/21 Pension Fund accounts and the plan for the 2021/22, 2022/23, and 2023/24 audits. The report notes that:

“BDO are the Pension Fund’s appointed external auditors for the 2020/21 and 2021/22 financial years. [...] Grant Thornton have now been appointed as external auditors and are to complete the 2023/24 audit.”

The report contains a proposed timetable for the completion of the outstanding audits.

Admissions, Cessations and Bond Status Update

This report provided an update on:

• Admission agreements.⁷
• Cessation valuations.⁸
• Bonds and bond renewals.

The report included a recommendation that the committee approve the admission of Olive Dining (Martin School) into the Barnet Pension Fund.

Pension Fund Investment Performance Report

This report provided an update on the performance of the Fund’s investments to 31 March 2024 with an updated estimated valuation to 30 June 2024.

It noted that the value of the Fund increased by an estimated £59.1 million between February and June 2024. This represents an increase of 3.7%. The report contains details of the best and worst performing investments over the period.

The report also included:

• Analysis of manager ratings.
• Details of strategic allocations.

Knowledge and Understanding

This report summarised the training completed by members of the Pension Fund Committee and the Local Pension Board during 2023-24.

The report pack includes an appendix showing the “mandatory and primary training opportunities” available to the members of the two committees. This appendix includes:

• The Pensions Regulator Trustee toolkit.
• Hymans’ training portal (LOLA).
• CIPFA training.
• Sustainability training.
• Ad hoc training sessions.

Update on Pooling and Efficiencies Letter

This report provided an update on pooling and the Fund’s response to a letter from Simon Hoare, the then Minister for Local Government, about efficiencies in Local Government Pension Schemes.

The report highlights the key message being made by the council to the government:

“[...] convergence through the London CIV is likely to lead to better outcomes than merging (which is complex and could also lead to a potential loss of local control, which is crucial to local decision making and risk management).”

The Health & Wellbeing Board was due to meet on Thursday 25 July to discuss how the council supports children and young people, communicable diseases, and the Barnet Food Plan. Also on Thursday 25 July, the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to receive updates on the ‘Start Well’ programme and on GP and Dental Services in North Central London. The Governance, Audit, Risk Management and Standards Committee (GARMS) met on Tuesday 23 July to discuss a number of topics related to the financial management of the council. The North Area Committee met on Thursday 25 July to consider applications for Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy Funding and discuss road safety schemes. The Employment Sub-Committee meeting scheduled for Monday 22 July was postponed. The Welsh Harp Joint Consultative Committee met on Monday 22 July to discuss how Barnet and Brent Councils have been managing the reservoir. The Planning Committee (New) considered an application for a Tree Preservation Order and several planning applications at their meeting on Wednesday 24 July.

Health & Wellbeing Board - Thursday 25 July 2024

The agenda for the Health & Wellbeing Board meeting on Thursday 25 July included a wide range of topics related to the health and wellbeing of Barnet’s residents.

A significant proportion of the meeting was scheduled to be given over to presentations about the work the council is doing to improve the lives of children and young people in the borough. This included presentations on the support available for young carers and the council’s work with Barnet Carers to identify and support this group. The meeting was also scheduled to hear an update on the council’s Early Help Strategy and the progress that is being made in implementing it. The report pack includes a summary of how the three Early Help hubs in the borough are working to deliver services and mentions the National Change Programme Partnership (CPP) Pilots scheme that the council is involved in. This national scheme, being run by the Department for Education (DfE), aims to improve support for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

The meeting was also due to discuss the council’s work on childhood obesity and to receive an update from Whittington Health, which is now responsible for delivering the Healthy Child Programme in Barnet. The transfer of responsibility to Whittington Health follows a critical CQC inspection of the previous provider.

The second major topic scheduled for discussion was the Barnet Food Plan, which sets out the council’s strategy to ensure that all residents have access to healthy and sustainable food. The report pack focused on food insecurity, reporting that this is an increasing problem in Barnet and highlighting data from the Trussell Trust, a charity that supports a network of food banks in the UK. The report also discussed the variety of schemes that the council is involved in to address the problem, including the Healthy Start scheme, the Holiday Activity Fund and the Make Every Contact Count (MECC) programme.

The meeting was also scheduled to discuss a wide range of other actions included in the Barnet Food Plan, such as community food growing projects, the council’s procurement policies, and the role of the Barnet Food Partnership, a multi-agency group that works to improve the food system in Barnet.

The committee were also scheduled to receive a verbal update on communicable diseases in the borough and to answer two questions that had been submitted by members of the public in advance of the meeting.

Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Thursday 25 July 2024

This meeting of the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to discuss a range of important health issues affecting residents of Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey and Islington. The committee has a responsibility to scrutinise the work of the North Central London Integrated Care Board (ICB)¹ and to hold it to account for its performance.

One of the most significant items on the agenda was an update on the 'Start Well' programme. You may recall that this programme featured heavily in my previous email, when it was discussed by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 18 July. 'Start Well' is a programme to improve maternity, neonatal and paediatric services across the five boroughs. The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the public consultation that was held between December 2023 and March 2024 about plans to consolidate these services, and to consider an interim evaluation report. The report pack noted that NHS England had given assurance on the proposals and that they were seeking formal feedback from the JHOSC by 16 August 2024, after which a decision making business case would be prepared for consideration by commissioners.

The committee was also scheduled to discuss GP access, in particular the findings of the national GP Patient Survey, which suggests that many patients are unhappy about the current state of GP services. The report pack refers to the national Delivery Plan for Recovering Primary Care Access which was published in May 2023. This two-year plan sets out how the government intends to improve GP services and includes several proposals that will affect the way that patients access care in the future. It also summarises North Central London ICB’s response to the delivery plan and highlights some of the challenges facing general practice, including rising demand and difficulties recruiting and retaining GPs.

The final substantive topic on the agenda was dental services. The committee was due to hear about the ICB’s plans to improve access to dental care and the progress that has already been made, including the work that the ICB has been doing to improve access to dental care for vulnerable groups such as people experiencing homelessness. The report also referred to the Community Dental Service provided by Whittington Health and the important role it plays in providing dental care in the borough.

The report pack also included a provisional work programme for the committee for 2024-2025, listing a range of possible future agenda items.

Governance, Audit, Risk Management and Standards Committee (GARMS) - Tuesday 23 July 2024

Barnet Council's Governance, Audit, Risk Management and Standards Committee (GARMS) met this week to consider a number of reports relating to the financial management of the council.

The meeting received an update on the council's progress in implementing its new Oracle Cloud IT system, which, you may recall, went live in April 2024. You may also recall that this project was discussed at length by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 18 July. The report to this meeting noted that there had been challenges in two key areas: user adoption and the resolution of various technical issues.

The committee also considered several reports about the council's finances. The Treasury Management Outturn report detailed the council's borrowing and investment activity during the last financial year and highlighted the impact that rising interest rates are having on the council’s finances. It is important to note that councils, unlike central government, cannot borrow money to fund day-to-day spending. They must balance their budgets each year. Councils can borrow money to fund capital projects, such as building new schools or roads. They can also use reserves and income from other sources, such as fees and charges, to fund capital projects.

Councils in England are permitted to increase council tax by a maximum of 2.99% without holding a referendum. Any increase above this level must be approved by a local referendum.

The report also noted that the council is increasingly reliant on using its reserves to fund capital projects, which is not considered to be financially sustainable in the long-term. This echoes a pattern of financial concerns raised in previous council meetings, suggesting a need for the council to explore alternative revenue-generating avenues or re-evaluate its spending priorities.

The committee also considered a report from the council’s external auditors, Grant Thornton, which is responsible for auditing the council's accounts. The report summarised Grant Thornton’s progress and included a sector update that described some of the issues facing local authority auditors nationally.

North Area Committee - Thursday 25 July 2024

The North Area Committee considered applications to the Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) funding budget for three projects: floodlights for Barnet Elizabethans Rugby Football Club, new changing rooms for Hadley FC and the desilting of the lake at Darlands Nature Reserve.

The NCIL is a charge that can be levied by local authorities on new developments in their area, and is used to fund infrastructure projects that will support the development. It is important to note that the committee could only allocate funding to projects in its area. The report pack does not say which, if any, of the applications were successful.

The committee also received an update on the Road Safety & Parking Fund budget for 2024/25. The report included details of the schemes that had already been allocated funding.

Welsh Harp Joint Consultative Committee - Monday 22 July 2024

The Welsh Harp Joint Consultative Committee is a joint committee of Barnet and Brent Councils that is responsible for overseeing the management of the Welsh Harp reservoir.

The committee received a report about Barnet Council's activities at the reservoir between April and June 2024.

This is an example of a footnote. I have added it because the Welsh Harp Joint Consultative Committee is a joint committee of two local authorities.

The most significant item in the report was an update on the West Hendon Playing Fields Masterplan. The report noted that designs were still being developed following the first round of public engagement, which took place in December 2023. The report said that another round of engagement would take place during Summer 2024. The report also provided an update on the work Barnet Council were doing to manage the reservoir's Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)², including their response to a report of damage being caused by a nearby property. It also noted that the council were exploring options to tackle antisocial behaviour at the site's bird hide.

The committee also received a report about Brent Council’s activities at the reservoir. The most significant item in this report was an update on the future of the Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre. The report said that Brent Council was working with Thames21 and McBains to develop a business case for a new building on the site and that there would be a public consultation about the plans once more details had been finalised.

The committee were scheduled to receive a verbal update from the Canal and River Trust about their work at the reservoir. The agenda does not provide any more information about what was scheduled to be discussed.

Planning Committee (New) - Wednesday 24 July 2024

This meeting of the Planning Committee (New) considered a request to confirm a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) for a large oak tree located at 103 Oakwood Road in the Hampstead Garden Suburb Conservation Area. You may recall that TPOs were also discussed at the meeting on 25 June. The report pack noted that this oak tree is one of the last remaining trees in the Hampstead Garden Suburb that pre-dates the development of the Suburb, and that this tree influenced the design of the Suburb.

The retention of trees such as this oak was an integral part of the design ethos during the development of the Garden Suburb.

The report detailed how the tree has been implicated in subsidence damage to surrounding properties and included an assessment by the Council’s structural engineers.

The officer's recommendation in the report pack was to confirm the Tree Preservation Order.

“Due to the lack of conclusive evidence that implicates the tree in the reported damage it is recommended that the order is made so the mandatory information is obtained and assessed."

The committee also considered planning applications at eight different locations.

The most contentious of these was a reserved matters application relating to the landscaping of Land at 49 and 51 Beresford Avenue in the Brunswick Park Ward. This application follows the allowance of an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate (APP/N5090/W/23/3321582) following the refusal by the council of a previous outline planning application for the demolition of part of no. 51 Beresford Avenue and the erection of 6 semi-detached dwellings (22/6069/OUT).

A significant number of objections were received from local residents about this application, many of them raising concerns about road safety and the impact of the development on the character of the area. Despite these objections, the officer recommendation was to approve the application subject to a number of conditions. It is not clear from the report pack whether this is the same scheme that was refused by the council.

The committee also considered a planning application (22/6038/FUL) for the construction of a new internal access road, junction and car parking facilities at Mill Hill Cemetery in Mill Hill. A previous application (14/08161/FUL) for a similar scheme was refused by the council in 2014, but was subsequently allowed on appeal (APP/N5090/W/16/3145010). That scheme was never implemented and has now lapsed. The current application attracted a significant number of objections from local residents, but the officer’s recommendation was to approve the application subject to conditions.

The meeting also discussed several other applications relating to a variety of issues, including the need for affordable housing, the impact of development on trees and ecology, noise and disturbance to neighbours and the loss of community facilities.

Barnet Council held six meetings in the last week. Here’s a summary of what happened:

Strategic Planning Committee - Wednesday 17 July 2024

The Strategic Planning Committee approved an application for the demolition of the existing Volvo car showroom and the construction of 139 new homes and a new community centre on the site in Colindale. The development, which will reach a maximum height of nine storeys, has faced some opposition from local residents concerned about potential traffic congestion and the building's scale in relation to the surrounding area.

To mitigate traffic concerns, a Section 106 Agreement will see the developer contribute £60,000 towards a review of parking controls in the area. Furthermore, new residents will be prohibited from applying for parking permits, and the development will include two car club spaces.

The committee also addressed the aesthetic impact of the building's height, with the Council's Urban Design Officer stating that the development will create a distinct piece of architecture on the A5.

Finally, to align with the Mayor of London's net-zero carbon policy, the developer will contribute £38,190 to the Council's carbon offset fund.

The committee also considered the proposed redevelopment of Intec House in High Barnet, a contentious issue previously discussed in the Planning Committee A meeting on 8 April 2024.

Because the applicant, Moxon One Limited, had already appealed to the Planning Inspectorate due to non-determination, the committee was unable to make a formal decision. Instead, their role was to provide an opinion to the Planning Inspectorate.

The lack of affordable housing in the scheme was a significant point of contention, with Councillor Eva Greenspan echoing her previous concerns about the developer's proposed £75,000 off-site contribution, which she deems insufficient. In contrast, Councillor Richard Cornelius advocated for the development, citing the site's current vacant state and the potential for new homes and jobs in the borough.

Ultimately, the committee's recommendation to the Planning Inspectorate was split, highlighting the complexities of balancing development needs with community priorities.

Cabinet - Tuesday 16 July 2024

The Cabinet meeting covered a diverse array of topics, reflecting the multifaceted nature of local governance.

Finances

The council's financial status was a key point of discussion. The 2023/24 revenue budget saw an overspend of £22.181m, largely attributed to pressures within Adult Social Care, increasing temporary accommodation costs, and income shortfalls from services brought back in-house, such as Revenues and Benefits. Councillor Ammar Naqvi, in his CFO Financial Monitoring Outturn Report 202324, attributes these challenges to difficulties in staff recruitment and retention, alongside rising demand for services compounded by inflation.

Conversely, the capital programme outturn for 2023/24 was £58.786m lower than the approved budget, primarily due to project reprofiling aligned with anticipated delivery timelines.

The council also considered its business plan, particularly the budget-setting process for 2025/26, noting the government's requirement for councils to publish local productivity plans by 19 July 2024. These plans, as outlined in Councillor Naqvi's Business Planning 2025-2030 and 2024-25 Budget report, aim to identify productivity improvement opportunities and establish key implementation milestones.

Modern Slavery Strategy

Councillor Sara Conway presented a new Modern Slavery Strategy prompted by a Full Council motion passed unanimously in October 2023. This strategy signifies a proactive step towards combatting modern slavery within the borough.

Recognising the need to translate awareness into action, the strategy proposes a new referral pathway and dedicated training to equip residents and local businesses to identify and report suspected cases. This initiative emphasizes the council's commitment to safeguarding vulnerable individuals and promoting ethical practices within the community.

Arts Depot

Councillor Barry Rawlings brought forward a proposal to grant a new 50-year lease to Arts Depot, a prominent arts centre in the borough, at a peppercorn rent. This decision, as detailed in the Arts Depot - Cabinet Report -FINAL - 05 07 24, stems from Arts Depot's need to secure capital funding for essential refurbishment works.

With their current lease expiring in 2025, a long-term lease agreement is crucial for Arts Depot to demonstrate stability and secure the necessary funding. However, the peppercorn rent, significantly below the market value exceeding £2 million, necessitates approval from the Secretary of State.

This situation highlights the challenges faced by arts organisations in securing sustainable funding models and the council's role in supporting cultural institutions.

Planning Obligations SPD

The Cabinet reviewed the Draft Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) (Cabinet Report for draft Planning Obligations SPD July 2024), a document outlining the council's approach to securing contributions from developers to mitigate development impacts. Replacing a 2013 document, this updated SPD aligns with current national planning policy and the new Local Plan.

As Councillor Ross Houston's report highlights, this document aims to establish a clear and consistent framework for negotiating and securing planning obligations, focusing on aspects like affordable housing, employment creation, and carbon emissions reductions.

The SPD's significance lies in its role as a material consideration in determining planning applications, demonstrating the council's commitment to sustainable and community-focused development.

Landlord Services Complaints

The meeting acknowledged the Annual Landlord Services Complaints Performance and Service Improvement Report drafted by Councillor Houston. This report details the council's statutory obligation, in line with the Housing Ombudsman’s Complaint Handling Code, to manage landlord service complaints effectively.

The report analyses complaint reasons, highlighting areas for improvement. Notably, the council has implemented a new damp and mould policy and refined its repairs procedures to enhance communication and efficiency. This continuous improvement approach demonstrates a commitment to delivering quality housing services and addressing resident concerns.

Council Motions

Three motions, previously referred from Full Council, were presented for consideration:

1. Leaving Care Covenant (1. Motion to Cabinet - Leaving Care Covenant) urging the Cabinet to collaborate with partners in supporting care-experienced young people residing in the borough.
2. Increasing Barnet’s Biodiversity (2. Motion to Cabinet - Increasing Barnets Biodiversity) advocating for biodiversity enhancement and the implementation of a comprehensive biodiversity action plan.
3. Speedy Broadband for Barnet Residents (3. Motion to Cabinet - Speedy Broadband for Barnet Residents) emphasising the need to improve broadband provision for residents.

Recognising their potential, the council agreed to incorporate these motions into the business planning process, ensuring that they receive due consideration and contribute to the borough's future development.

New Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) Policy

The meeting reviewed a revised New Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy policy (Cabinet Report - NCIL). The NCIL, a charge levied on new developments, plays a vital role in funding essential infrastructure projects, such as parks and transport improvements.

The updated policy, as explained in Councillor Houston's report, clarifies and streamlines the application process for residents, community groups, and organisations seeking funding. This revised approach aims to make the NCIL more accessible and efficient, ensuring that infrastructure investments align with community needs.

Review of the Management Agreement with Barnet Homes

The Cabinet reviewed the Management Agreement with Barnet Homes, an Arms-Length Management Organisation (ALMO) responsible for managing over 14,000 council-owned housing properties (Cabinet report - Management Agreement Review).

This agreement, initially established in 2004 and subsequently extended, outlines Barnet Homes' responsibilities, including property management and maintenance, lettings, repairs, estate services, and addressing antisocial behaviour.

The report highlighted Barnet Homes' consistent achievement of key performance indicator targets across various areas, reflecting their effectiveness in managing the council's housing stock.

Our Plan for Barnet – Delivery and Outcomes Framework

Finally, the meeting received an update on 'Our Plan for Barnet,' the council's corporate plan, focusing on its delivery and outcomes framework (Our Plan for Barnet - Delivery and Outcomes Framework EOY 2023-24).

Presented by Councillor Barry Rawlings, the report details progress across various areas, highlighting accomplishments such as:

• Barnet achieving Borough of Sanctuary status.
• Progress towards becoming a net-zero borough by 2042.
• Delivery of new affordable homes, including those within the Brent Cross regeneration scheme.
• The opening of the council's first fully inclusive play area.
• Initiatives implemented to support residents during the cost of living crisis.

Alongside these successes, the report acknowledged strategic challenges, such as staff recruitment and retention and the rising cost of service provision, factors common to many local authorities.

Barnet Children's Partnership Board - Monday 15 July 2024

The Barnet Children's Partnership Board convened to discuss a number of issues related to the educational needs of children in the borough.

Educational Standards

Neil Marlow, Chief Executive of Barnet Education and Learning Service (BELS)¹, presented a report on standards in Barnet schools during the 2022-23 academic year.

The report identified several areas for improvement in the coming academic year:

• Attendance and exclusions, particularly at primary level.
• Transition of weaker readers from primary to secondary education.
• Vocational results at Key Stage 5.
• Support for low-attaining pupils across all key stages.

The report also highlighted the council's Schools Causing Concern policy.

SEND Strategy Consultation

Karen Flanagan, Director of SEND and Inclusion, presented the draft SEND & Alternative Provision (AP) Strategy 2024-27 which had been co-produced with schools, parents, and young people.

The strategy aims to ensure children and young people with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) receive timely and appropriate support. The legal framework for this is set out in the Children and Families Act 2014.²

Collaborate Project

Laurence Fox, Assistant Principal for Inclusion at St Mary's and St John’s CE School in Hendon, presented on the Collaborate Project.

Funded by John Lyon's Charity, the project provides enrichment activities and support for students in Years 8 and 9 in collaboration with Ark Against Knives, The Saracens Sports Foundation and Terapia.

Local Pension Board - Monday 15 July 2024

The Local Pension Board convened to discuss several crucial matters related to the London Borough of Barnet Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).

Pension Fund Risk Registers

The Board reviewed the updated Pension Fund Risk Registers, which had last been reviewed in June 2024.

Key changes included increasing the risk scores for:

• 'Failure to pay contributions' (ADM05).
• 'Failure of non-public sector employers' (ADM06).
• 'Negative media exposure and member experience' (ADM13).
• 'Signatory Lists' (INV01).
• 'Strategic Allocation' (INV04).
• 'Role of Model Portfolio' (ESG03).
• 'Record Keeping' (ACC01).
• 'Resourcing' (GEN02).

These changes reflect ongoing work to improve data quality, manage emerging risks, and ensure the long-term sustainability of the pension fund.

Data Improvement Plan and Historical Leavers

The board reviewed the progress of the data improvement plan being implemented by West Yorkshire Pension Fund (WYPF). Significant progress has been made since January 2024, with the number of data items needing review and correction decreasing from 28,500 to 6,650. Despite maintaining acceptable scores for common data, WYPF aims to achieve at least a 90% score for conditional data by year's end.

WYPF's efforts have also focused on addressing the backlog of historical leaver cases, successfully reducing the number from 1,950 to 224 since January 2024.

Decisions made by the Pension Fund Committee

The Board confirmed the Pension Fund Committee's adherence to the Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations 2013 in its decision-making processes.

Notably, the council had requested a review of pension contributions in November 2023 due to its financial position. Specialist legal advice deemed the existing contribution review policy inadequate, leading to its revision and amendment following a stakeholder consultation. Consequently, the Pension Fund Committee, acting on legal and actuarial advice, agreed to adjust contribution rates at its Extraordinary meeting on 1 February 2024.

Administration Performance Report and Update on Other Administration and Legislative Matters

WYPF continues to process a significant volume of cases, approximately 900 per month, and successfully met its Key Performance Indicator targets for 90% of those cases in May 2024.

Efforts to encourage member engagement with the WYPF My Pension online portal are ongoing, with varying registration rates across active members, deferred members, and pensioners.

The board was also updated on various administrative and legislative developments:

• Hymans Robertson's recent review of Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVC) providers.
• The issuance of 2023 Annual Benefit Statements and preparation for the 2024 statements.
• The upcoming launch of the next phase of WYPF's automated Defined Benefit process.
• WYPF's preparations to connect to the pensions dashboard ecosystem by the September 2025 deadline, following the signing of their contract with their chosen provider, Bravura.
• Contribution collection updates, including challenges faced with employers failing to make payments or providing inconsistent returns.
• The Pension Team's proactive engagement with members through face-to-face 'surgeries' at the council's Colindale offices and visits to schools.
• WYPF's website and My Pension online portal redesign initiatives.
• The implications of The Pensions Regulator (TPR)'s new General Code of Practice, effective 27 March 2024, and the Pension Team's ongoing assessment and training plans.

Knowledge and Understanding

The board emphasized the importance of maintaining up-to-date knowledge of the LGPS and encouraged members to utilize resources like the Hymans Robertson online training platform (“LGPS Online Learning Academy (LOLA)”).

Committee Work Programme

The board acknowledged the work programme for 2023 to 2024.

Other Meetings

The following meetings also took place over the past week:

• Employment Sub-Committee - Thursday 18 July 2024 - This meeting focused on the appointment of a Director of Public Health for Barnet Council.
• Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Thursday 18 July 2024 - No video or transcript was made available for this meeting.

This week's meetings underscore the breadth of issues tackled by Barnet Council, ranging from planning and development to education, social services, and financial management. By engaging with these updates, residents can gain a deeper understanding of local governance and contribute to a more informed and engaged citizenry.

This week, Barnet Council met twice to discuss a range of issues.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on Wednesday 10 July 2024 discussed the future of two major projects: the proposed North London Business Park (NLBP) and the sale of land at Pinkham Way.

North London Business Park

Councillors raised concerns about the financial viability of the NLBP project in light of rising construction costs. Despite a report suggesting that the project may now only return £1.5m to the council over its lifetime – significantly less than the £6m profit anticipated in the original 2022 business case – the committee voted to proceed with the project, pending agreement on a revised financial model.

The committee also debated the use of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)¹ receipts to support the project. While some councillors argued that the project's economic benefits warranted CIL funding, others expressed reservations, citing the council's policy to prioritise projects that lack alternative funding sources. Ultimately, the committee decided to formally assess the NLBP's eligibility for CIL funding.

Pinkham Way

The committee also discussed the controversial decision to sell land at Pinkham Way to logistics company Segro PLC, a decision that has been met with resistance from local residents concerned about the loss of green space.

Several committee members voiced their disappointment that the sale, which aligns with the site's employment designation in the council's Local Plan, was approved without their scrutiny. While officers defended the Cabinet's decision-making authority, concerns about the lack of affordable workspace provision in the development plans prompted the committee to request a detailed report exploring potential solutions. This echoes previous instances of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee requesting further information on controversial planning decisions, demonstrating the committee's role in holding the Cabinet to account and ensuring transparency in decision-making processes.

Council

The full Council met on Tuesday 09 July 2024 and made a number of decisions.

Highways Licence Fee Changes

The council voted to increase fees for skip, scaffold, and hoarding licences, despite opposition from the Federation of Master Builders who argued that the increases would place an undue burden on local businesses. The council justified the decision on the grounds that it would ensure developers contribute their fair share to highway maintenance costs. They also noted that the new fees would be more in line with those charged by neighbouring boroughs. This decision reflects the council's ongoing efforts to balance its budget while maintaining essential services, a recurring theme in council discussions.

Barnet's Capital Strategy

The council reviewed and noted the updated capital strategy for 2024-2025, a requirement of the Local Government Act 2003². Key changes to the capital programme include a £10 million budget increase for the redevelopment of Brent Cross Shopping Centre.³ The council also received the Annual Report of GARMS (General Fund Asset Review and Management Strategy) 2023-2024.

Other Business

The council also:

• Noted the Overview and Scrutiny Committee's Annual Report 2023-24 and Work Programme 2024-25.
• Approved updates to its contract procedure rules to improve clarity, consistency, and incorporate best practices.
• Approved a new Members’ Allowances Scheme for 2024-2025, as developed by the Independent Remuneration Panel.
• Received a deputation from Ark Franklin academy regarding plans for a new Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) and local residents' concerns about potential noise and light pollution. This example highlights the council's role in mediating between the needs of different stakeholders in the community.

Other Meetings

The following meetings also took place this week:

• Licensing and General Purposes Committee, Monday 08 July 2024: This meeting discussed a range of licensing-related matters. More details of this meeting are included below.
• Safer Communities Partnership Board, Friday 12 July 2024: This meeting covered the performance of the Safer Communities Partnership, crime statistics, and the Community Safety Plan. More details of this meeting are included below.
• Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Monday 08 July 2024: This meeting was postponed.

Licensing and General Purposes Committee - 08 July 2024

The Licensing and General Purposes Committee meeting on Monday 08 July 2024 focused on two main topics: the council's performance in managing licenses and the approval of a new street trading policy.

Street Trading Policy

The committee reviewed and subsequently approved a new Street Trading Policy for Barnet, following a public consultation that garnered 151 responses. The policy, which outlines permissible trading locations, goods, and the council's management process, introduces three categories of street trading consent: Consent Streets, Licensed Streets, and Market Streets.

• Consent Streets: Traders can operate freely without a specific council license, subject to compliance with the policy's general guidelines.
• Licensed Streets: Traders must obtain a license from the council, with the policy specifying the number of licenses available per location.
• Market Streets: The council grants a license to an external organization, such as a business improvement district, to manage street trading in a designated area.

The policy defines trading as any activity conducted on a street or open space for profit or in connection with a business, including activities like:

• Selling goods or services
• Advertising
• Fundraising

It also clarifies that certain activities, like licensed taxi services and house-to-house collections with appropriate permits, are not considered trading under the policy. The new policy allows the council to establish byelaws regulating street trading in specific locations, for example, by setting rules for trading hours or permitted goods in a particular area.

You can read the new policy here: Appendix 1 - Draft street trading Policy 2024 - 2029 post consultation

Licensing Service Performance

The committee also reviewed the council's performance in managing its licensing functions. While the report highlighted the council's overall efficiency in processing applications within statutory deadlines, it acknowledged a backlog in responding to licensing applications for major new developments within the 15-day target. The report attributed this delay to the increasing complexity of these applications, which often require additional information and review before a decision can be made.

You can read the full performance report here: Licensing Annual Performance Committee Report - for clearance

Safer Communities Partnership Board - 12 July 2024

The Safer Communities Partnership Board meeting on 12 July 2024 reviewed the partnership's performance, discussed crime statistics, and received updates on the Antisocial Behaviour Team and the Community Safety Plan.

Performance and Crime Statistics

The board reviewed the year-to-date performance of the Safer Communities Partnership, noting an encouraging 5% reduction in overall crime rates compared to the same period last year. This achievement was attributed to the collaborative efforts of the partnership and its proactive initiatives. However, concern was expressed regarding an increase in domestic burglaries within the Church End ward. Superintendent Caroline Berry of Colindale Police Station assured the board that additional resources were being deployed to address this issue, including increased patrols and a dedicated focus from the burglary squad.

Antisocial Behaviour Team Update

The board also received an update on the Antisocial Behaviour Team's activities, which revealed a significant increase in noise nuisance cases. To address this concern, Councillor Ann John, the lead member for Community Safety, announced plans for a public awareness campaign to educate residents about noise pollution and responsible behaviour. The council will also collaborate with landlords and managing agents to address noise complaints in private rented properties. This initiative demonstrates the council's commitment to responding to resident concerns and improving quality of life in the borough.

Community Safety Plan

The board reviewed progress on the Community Safety Plan, a comprehensive framework adopted in July 2023 that outlines how the council, police, and other partners work together to enhance community safety. Councillor Daniel Thomas, the Leader of the Council, emphasized the importance of collaborative partnerships in achieving the plan's objectives. The board acknowledged the successful implementation of various initiatives, including CCTV installation in a local park and the expansion of the Neighbourhood Watch scheme.

This week's meetings showcased the council's ongoing efforts to manage growth and development, address resident concerns, and ensure the efficient operation of essential services. By staying informed about council proceedings, residents can actively engage in local democracy and contribute to shaping their community's future.

This week, the Barnet Council held several meetings, with some notable decisions made by the Planning Committee (New). Here’s a detailed breakdown of what was discussed and decided:

Planning Committee (New) - Tuesday 25 June 2024

The Planning Committee (New) approved three significant planning applications and discussed several others. Here are the key decisions and discussions:

79-83 High Road London N2 8AD

The committee approved the demolition of the existing two-storey building at 79-83 High Road and the erection of a part three/part four-storey building to provide 8 self-contained flats. The new building will comprise 3 one-bedroom and 5 two-bedroom flats, with associated landscaping, refuse, and cycle storage.

Despite local residents' concerns about the loss of light and privacy, the committee found that the development was in line with the council's policies to optimise housing delivery in suitable locations.

5-7 Wykeham Road

The committee also approved the demolition of the existing semi-detached dwellings at 5-7 Wykeham Road and the construction of a part three/part four-storey building with 6 self-contained flats. This proposal had been reduced from an initial 7 flats, which also reduced the amount payable to the council in lieu of providing affordable housing.

The committee acknowledged both the support and concerns from residents but decided that the benefits of providing new homes outweighed any potential drawbacks.

2 Foxwood Close

A single-storey rear extension at 2 Foxwood Close was also approved with little discussion, as it was considered a small-scale development in keeping with the character of the surrounding area.

Belmont Nursery School

The committee considered a pre-application for converting a former nursery on East Barnet Road into 9 flats. Concerns were raised about the loss of a community facility and the lack of affordable housing. The committee provided feedback to the applicant for further consideration.

Tudor Court, 2 Crewys Road

A variation of a condition attached to a previously approved application for a three-storey building at Tudor Court, 2 Crewys Road was deferred. The applicant sought to amend the design of the balconies, but the committee decided to visit the site before making a decision.

Land to Rear of 18-20 Russell Gardens, London

A pre-application for a three-storey building with 6 flats at the rear of 18-20 Russell Gardens was discussed. Councillor Paul Convery and residents raised concerns about noise, disturbance, and parking problems. Feedback was provided to the applicant.

130 Hendon Lane London

The committee provided pre-application advice for demolishing an existing bungalow at 130 Hendon Lane and constructing a part three-storey, part four-storey building with 6 flats. Concerns included overlooking, privacy, traffic, and the impact on the area's character.

Other Meetings

• The Cabinet meeting scheduled for Monday 24 June 2024 was cancelled.
• The Strategic Planning Committee scheduled for Wednesday 26 June 2024 was postponed.
• The Governance, Audit, Risk Management and Standards Committee (GARMS) scheduled for Thursday 27 June 2024 was postponed.
• The Schools Forum held on Wednesday 26 June 2024 did not provide a video or transcript.

This week’s meetings highlight the council's ongoing efforts to balance development with community concerns, particularly around housing and local amenities. Keep an eye on future updates for more developments in Barnet.