The Council of Barnet met on Tuesday 1 November 2022, with the meeting being held at Hendon Town Hall. The council discussed a range of topics, including the impact of the mini-budget on the cost of living, the Safer Community Strategy, and changes to the council's constitution. Decisions were made on the adoption of the Safer Community Strategy, amendments to the council's constitution, and the approval of proposed fees and charges for 2023/24.

Tributes to Former Councillor Laurie Williams

The meeting began with tributes to the late Councillor Laurie Williams, a former councillor for East Barnet. Councillors Philip Cohen, Caroline Stock, Marianne Haylett, Jennifer Grocock, Tim Roberts, and Alison Cornelius shared their memories and paid tribute to his dedication to the community. A minute's silence was observed in his memory.

Official Announcements

The Mayor, Councillor Alison Moore, made several official announcements:

• Congratulations were extended to Councillor Dan Thomas and his wife Victoria on the birth of their son, Noah.
• The Council had received the Defence Employer Recognition Silver Award and was aiming for Gold.
• The success of Black History Month events across the borough was commended.
• A reception had been held to mark the 50th anniversary of the Ugandan-Asian arrival in Barnet.
• Remembrance Sunday was noted, with thanks extended to councillors representing the Mayoralty in laying wreaths.
• Civic Awards nominations were open, closing on 31 December 2022.
• Holocaust Memorial Day would be held on 29 January 2023 at Middlesex University.
• Barnet had officially celebrated Diwali at Hendon Town Hall.

Questions to the Leader

The Council noted amendments to the written answers for questions 24 and 46. Question 24 was amended to read None - we're not increasing the charge, and Question 46 was amended to There won't be an increase. It was clarified that a proposed increase had been incorrectly included in a report to the Policy & Resources Committee on 29 September 2022.

Reports from Committees

Annual Report of the Audit Committee 2021/22 Councillor Arjun Mittra, Chair of the Audit Committee, moved the reception and adoption of the recommendations in the report. The Council resolved to note and approve the Annual Report of the Audit Committee for 2021/22.

Safer Community Strategy 2022-27 Councillor Sara Conway, Chair of the Communities, Leadership & Libraries Committee, moved the reception and adoption of the recommendations in the report. The Council resolved to note and approve the Barnet Safety Communities Strategy 2022-2027.

Constitution Review Councillor Barry Rawlings, Chair of the Constitution and General Purposes Committee, moved the reception and adoption of the recommendations in the report. Following a vote, the recommendations were agreed, with 36 votes in favour and 21 against. The Council resolved to note the report, approve the Constitution amendments, and authorise the Monitoring Officer to implement these revisions and publish a revised Constitution.

Fees and Charges 2022/23 & 2023/24 Council noted that an addendum report had been published on the Fees and Charges consultation findings and the Equalities Impact Assessment. Councillor Barry Rawlings moved the reception and adoption of the recommendations. Following a vote, the recommendations were agreed, with 36 votes in favour and 21 against. The Council resolved to approve the proposed fees and charges for 2023/24.

Report of the Head of Governance The Head of Governance introduced the report outlining various administrative matters. Council resolved to note and approve the appointments to Outside Bodies and Other Appointments as detailed in the appendices, and to approve changes to Committee memberships.

Motions for Debate

Impact of the mini-budget on the cost-of-living crisis Councillor Simon Radford moved an administration motion regarding the impact of the mini-budget. Councillor Dan Thomas moved an amendment, which was lost. Councillor Emma Whysall moved a further amendment, which was carried. The motion, as amended by Councillor Whysall, was then carried. The Council resolved to note the impact of the mini-budget, the subsequent government changes, and the strain placed on the local economy and residents. It was resolved to ask the Leader of the Council to write to the Prime Minister outlining these concerns and requesting further government support. Barnet's three Conservative MPs were also asked to write to the Government in support of these needs.

Council pledges to not raise parking charges until the cost-of-living crisis has been alleviated Councillor Dan Thomas moved an opposition motion to freeze parking charges. The motion was lost.

Standing up for responsible tax conduct Councillor Paul Lemon moved an administration motion on responsible tax conduct. The motion was carried. The Council resolved to request that the Policy & Resources Committee consider the 'Councils for Fair Tax Declaration' in the context of LB Barnet's developing procurement strategy.

Council will not raise the price of Garden Waste from £70 collections for the remainder of the administration to help with the cost-of-living crisis Council noted that an amendment by Councillor Alan Schneiderman had been withdrawn. The motion in the name of Councillor Dan Thomas was carried. The Council resolved to not raise the price of the garden waste collection service in Barnet for the remainder of the administration.

Becoming a Living Wage Employer: Accreditation Councillor Ernest Ambe moved an administration motion on becoming a Living Wage Employer. The motion was carried. The Council resolved to request that the Policy & Resources Committee consider the steps necessary for the Council to become a Living Wage Employer, including instructing officers to bring options to achieve accreditation to a future meeting.

A reduction is not a rebate - Labour must fulfil their manifesto pledge to rebate the Social Care Precept within the 2022/23 Financial Year Councillor David Longstaff moved an opposition motion. Councillor Barry Rawlings moved an amendment, which was carried. Councillor Longstaff then moved a further amendment, which was lost. The motion, as amended by Councillor Rawlings, was carried. The Council resolved to note that Barnet Labour promised to freeze council tax and refund residents this year's 1% council tax increase, and that the Labour administration has refunded residents the 1% council tax increase through a targeted £2m Resident Support Fund in 2022/23, and agreed to refund a further £2m through a universal 1% council tax refund in 2023/24.

Council commits to not joining neighbouring Labour-controlled Camden Council in restricting all council-operated roads to a 20mph speed limit Councillor Dan Thomas moved an opposition motion. Councillor Alan Schneiderman moved an amendment, which was carried. The motion, as amended by Councillor Schneiderman, was carried. The Council resolved to note that the LB Barnet Labour administration has a policy of agreeing 20mph zones on roads where a majority of residents support this, and to commit to listening to residents and only introducing 20mph zones where they are wanted.

Motions for Adjournment There were no motions for adjournment.

Motions that were not debated The following motions were noted as not having been debated:

• 14.2 Opposition Motion in the name of Cllr Dan Thomas - Council pledges to not raise parking charges until the cost-of-living crisis has been alleviated. (This motion was debated and lost).
• 14.4 Opposition Motion in the name of Cllr Dan Thomas - Council will not raise the price of Garden Waste from £70 collections for the remainder of the administration to help with the cost-of-living crisis. (This motion was debated and carried).

The meeting concluded at 9:26 pm.