The Council of Barnet met on Tuesday 30 January 2024 to discuss a range of important issues, passing motions on free school meals, climate change, digital blue badges, support for care leavers, and banning profiteering in children's social care. The council also approved revised gambling principles and updated its treasury management strategy.

Welcoming Extension of Universal Free School Meals Scheme and Requesting Government Support for Special Dietary Requirements

Councillor Anne Clarke's motion, welcoming the extension of the Universal Free School Meals scheme and requesting government support for special dietary requirements, was carried. The council noted the positive impact of Universal Free School Meals, their role in reducing poverty and improving educational outcomes, and the lack of additional support for schools with particular dietary needs, such as Jewish schools requiring kosher food. The motion resolved to thank the Mayor of London for extending the scheme and his additional funding for schools with dietary requirements. Crucially, the council also resolved to write to the Secretary of State for Education, Gillian Keegan, on a cross-party basis, calling on the government to match the Mayor's funding offer for Reception to Year 2, including an uplift for schools facing increased financial burdens due to dietary requirements.

Barnet Council to Continue with Tackling Climate Change

Councillor Alan Schneiderman's motion, stating Barnet Council's commitment to tackling climate change, was carried. The council noted the resignation of Chris Skidmore MP over the government's policy on opening new oilfields and opposing international recommendations on climate change. The motion highlighted Barnet Council's efforts in reducing dependency on oil by rolling out over 1,000 electric vehicle charging points and continuing this policy despite concerns about potential impacts on demand. The council resolved to call upon the Cabinet to restate its mission of ensuring Barnet becomes a Net Zero Council by 2030 and a Net Zero Borough by 2042, despite the Conservative government's stance on fossil fuels.

Digital Blue Badges for Barnet

Councillor Alex Prager's motion proposing the introduction of Digital Blue Badges for Barnet was carried. The council noted the issues with lost, stolen, and counterfeit paper Blue Badges, the significant number of Blue Badge fraud cases investigated, and the potential increase in fraud due to expanded Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs) and the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) expansion. The motion resolved to ask the Cabinet Member for Environment & Climate Change to instruct officers to explore the implementation of a digital Barnet-focused scheme, considering those who may not be technologically savvy, brief members on progress, and report a full business case to Cabinet if the system is to be implemented.

Leaving Care Covenant

Councillors Pauline Coakley-Webb and Zahra Beg's motion on the Leaving Care Covenant was carried. The council noted the statutory support provided to young people leaving care, the need for wider societal involvement, and the five outcomes set out by the Care Leavers Covenant. The council highlighted its extensive provisions for care leavers, including the Woodhouse Road Leaving Care Centre, Council Tax exemption to age 25, and a lifelong offer of support. The motion resolved to lobby the government for 'Care Experience' to become a protected characteristic under the Equality Act, to become a signatory to the Care Leavers Covenant, and to explore the implementation of the Covenant's five-part strategy. The council also committed to proactively seeking and listening to the voices of care-experienced people when developing new policies.

Banning Profiteering in Children's Social Care and Education Placements

Councillor Pauline Coakley-Webb's motion calling for an end to profiteering in children's social care and education placements was carried. The council noted the Competition and Markets Authority's (CMA) report on children's social care, which reiterated concerns about access to and costs of suitable placements while providers make materially higher profits. The council agreed that profiteering using public money is unacceptable, aspired to a not-for-profit model for children's placements, and resolved to call on all political parties to commit to legislation preventing for-profit operations or, at a minimum, capping fees in fostering and residential services.

Outturn, Quarter 1 & Mid-Year Treasury Management Strategy & Performance Update 2023-24

The council approved an increase to its Operational Boundary and Authorised Limit for External Debt to £1,259m. This adjustment reflects the council's current expectations regarding the use of reserves over 2023-24 and capital expenditure requiring prudential borrowing. The report noted that treasury activity and performance updates against prudential indicators were in line with the approved strategy, with investment performance exceeding the benchmark.

Youth Justice Plan 2023-25

The council approved the Youth Justice Plan for 2023/24 and 2024/25. This plan outlines how youth justice services will be provided and funded, how they will operate, and their functions, with the primary aim of preventing offending by children and young people. The plan is developed in consultation with partner agencies and focuses on a Child First approach.

Revised Gambling Statement of Principles 2024

The council approved the revised Gambling Statement of Principles 2024. This policy, which is reviewed every three years, sets out the principles the council will apply when exercising its functions as a licensing authority under the Gambling Act 2005. The revision included updates based on new guidance, best practice, and formatting changes, following a public consultation.

Administrative Matters

The council approved several administrative matters, including changes to committee appointments, appointments to outside bodies, the appointment of advisers to the Adults & Health Overview & Scrutiny Sub-Committee, and an officer appointment to the Pan London Vehicle for Children's Complex Commissioning Ltd. The Calendar of Meetings for 2024/25 was also noted and approved, with revisions to some dates. Additionally, the council approved the designation of Ms Jyotika Dabasia and Mr Kevin Bartle as Chief Finance Officer for specific periods. The political balance of the council was also noted, with 40 Labour members, 21 Conservative members, and 2 independent members.

Severance Payment

Following a motion to exclude the press and public, the council resolved to approve recommendations set out in an exempt report concerning a severance payment. A recorded vote was taken on this decision.

The meeting also included official announcements, apologies for absence, words from young people, declarations of interest, and the confirmation of minutes from the previous meeting. Motions were also debated and voted on regarding Barnet and London's Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, and congratulating Middlesex University Alumni on winning University Challenge. Reports were received from the Cabinet Member for Family Friendly Barnet on Corporate Parenting Annual Reports.