The Cabinet of Barnet Council met on Tuesday 16 April 2024 to approve a new Culture Strategy, a roadmap for tackling inequalities, and the Barnet Homes Annual Delivery Plan for 2024/25. The meeting also saw decisions made regarding capital programme approvals, a land exchange at Church Farm/Oak Hill School, and updates on the Brent Cross regeneration project.

Capital Programme Approvals, Deletions and Transfers

Cabinet approved changes to the existing Capital Programme, including additions, deletions, and funding transfers, in accordance with the council's virement rules. This decision ensures the effective management of the council's capital investments across various portfolios, including Adults and Social Care, Homes and Regeneration, Family Friendly Barnet, Culture, Leisure, Arts and Sports, Environment and Climate Change, and Resources and Effective Council. The total capital programme for all services amounts to £1,242,445,000.

The Culture Strategy

The Cabinet approved the Culture Strategy 2024-2029, a five-year plan developed in collaboration with the local community to celebrate, support, and enhance Barnet's creative and cultural sector. The strategy aims to build upon existing cultural assets and create a step change in cultural offerings, strengthening Barnet's identity as a cultural destination. Councillor Ammar Naqvi, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure, Arts & Sports, introduced the strategy, which focuses on six key priorities: Involvement, Infrastructure, Interconnection, Identity, Inspiration, and Influence. Minor amendments to the report for publication were authorised to be made by the Executive Director for Transformation in consultation with Councillor Naqvi.

Barnet Homes Annual Delivery Plan 2024/25

Councillor Ross Houston, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Homes and Regeneration, presented the Barnet Homes Annual Delivery Plan for 2024/25, which Cabinet noted and approved. This plan outlines the required outcomes and targets for Barnet Homes, a subsidiary of The Barnet Group and the council's Arm's Length Management Organisation, in delivering the Council's Housing Strategy and Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy. The plan highlights strong performance in 2023/24, particularly in preventing homelessness and managing temporary accommodation despite increased demand. It also details improvements in tackling damp and mould, and strong benchmarking results for customer satisfaction and cost-effectiveness.

Towards a Fair Barnet

Cabinet recommended to the Council the approval of the Towards a Fair Barnet Roadmap 2024-2030, a new community-focused equalities, diversity, and inclusion approach for the borough. The roadmap sets out three strategic equalities objectives: People: Understand the whole person, Place: Understand and tackle local causes of inequality, and Planet: Support a just transition to net zero. These objectives aim to ensure equal opportunities and access to quality services for all residents, with a focus on tackling the gaps between different communities. Priority areas include disability rights, care experience, housing accessibility, homelessness prevention, and action on the social determinants of health. The Executive Director for Children and Families, in consultation with Councillor Zahra Beg, Cabinet Member for Equalities, Voluntary and Community Sector, was authorised to make minor amendments to the roadmap for publication. Cabinet also noted the comments from the Overview & Scrutiny Committee on this item.

Land Exchange at Church Farm/Oak Hill School and Provision of New Workshop Building

Councillor Barry Rawlings, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Resources and Effective Council, introduced a report on a land exchange at Church Farm/Oak Hill School. Cabinet approved the land exchange with Church Farm Barnet Ltd and the provision of a new workshop building for Oak Hill School. This involves swapping a small parcel of land at Oak Hill School/Church Farm with Church Farm Barnet Ltd for a consideration of £45,500, which will cover the council's fees and the cost of constructing a new workshop building for the school. The agreement ensures the school benefits from an improved facility while straightening the boundary for the development.

Brent Cross Update Report

Councillor Ross Houston, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Homes and Regeneration, presented an update on the Brent Cross Cricklewood Regeneration Programme. Cabinet noted the report, which detailed ongoing construction, the finalisation of legal agreements for council investment in Plot 1, and the opening of new bus routes following public realm completion. Cabinet also delegated authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to finalise and approve the Third Phase Proposal for Brent Cross Town and to agree legal documentation for the sales of Plots 23 and 43b. The report highlighted progress on various development plots, the opening of Brent Cross West station, and ongoing council-led initiatives such as controlled parking zone updates and waste transfer station developments.

Disposal of 233-241 West Hendon Broadway

Councillor Barry Rawlings introduced a report concerning the disposal of council premises at 233 and 241 West Hendon Broadway. Cabinet approved the sale of these premises and adjoining land to the Purchaser, or an associated party, on terms detailed in confidential annexes. Authority was delegated to the Chief Officer, Deputy Chief Executive, to agree any necessary amendments to the Heads of Terms and to finalise contractual arrangements.

Cabinet Forward Plan - Key Decision Schedule

Cabinet noted the Cabinet Forward Plan – Key Decision Schedule.

Motion to Exclude the Press and Public

A motion was agreed to exclude the press and public from the remainder of the meeting due to the discussion of confidential information relating to exempt items.

Disposal of 233-241 West Hendon Broadway (Exempt)

Cabinet noted the exempt information presented.

The meeting concluded at 9.00 pm.