The Council of the London Borough of Barnet met on Tuesday 7 July 2026 to confer the Honorary Freedom of the Borough upon several organisations and to discuss various council matters. The meeting saw the council unanimously approve the conferral of this honour upon Hatzola Northwest, Hatzola Edgware, Hatzola HBS, the Community Security Trust (CST), and Shomrim North West London in recognition of their extraordinary service to the borough. The council also discussed and approved amendments to its constitution, debated motions on domestic abuse and planning decisions, and reviewed progress on the Youth Justice Plan.

Conferral of Honorary Freedom of the Borough

The council unanimously agreed to confer the Honorary Freedom of the London Borough of Barnet upon Hatzola Northwest, Hatzola Edgware, Hatzola HBS, the Community Security Trust (CST), and Shomrim North West London. This prestigious award was granted in recognition of the organisations' exceptional contributions to the borough.

Hatzola was commended for its 24-hour volunteer emergency medical response service, which has provided vital assistance to thousands of residents and worked alongside statutory emergency services. The council acknowledged the resilience of Hatzola volunteers, particularly following an attack on their ambulances in March 2026.

Shomrim North West London was recognised for its role as a volunteer-led community safety organisation, providing 24-hour patrols to deter crime, offer reassurance, and respond to emergencies, including antisemitic incidents. Their volunteers were praised for their bravery in running towards danger to assist victims and emergency services, notably during a terrorist attack in Golders Green Road in April 2026.

The Community Security Trust (CST) was acknowledged for its work in safeguarding the Jewish community against antisemitism, providing security advice and equipment to Jewish institutions across the UK. The council highlighted CST's research, which informs public policy, and its administration of the Home Office's Protective Security Grant.

The decision to grant this honour was met with widespread support, with councillors from both sides of the chamber expressing admiration for the dedication and bravery of the organisations' volunteers.

Constitutional Amendments and Governance Reports

The council approved amendments to its constitution, which included changes to the way deputations and petitions are handled. These amendments will see deputations removed from full council meetings and medium-sized petitions moved from overview and scrutiny to area committees. While some councillors expressed concern that this would reduce residents' ability to raise borough-wide issues, others welcomed the reinstatement of area committees as a more appropriate forum for local petitions.

The council also approved the Code of Corporate Governance for 2026-27 and adopted it for inclusion in the Constitution. The annual Governance, Audit, Risk, Management and Standards (GARMS) report for 2025-26 was noted, with thanks extended to former Councillor Arjun Mitra for his leadership of the committee. Additionally, changes to committee meeting dates, appointments to outside bodies and area committees, and appointments to the local pension board were approved.

Motions Debated

Motion on Domestic Abuse in Social Housing: Councillor Sara Conway moved a motion welcoming the government's proposed measures to protect victims of domestic abuse in social housing. The motion highlighted new powers for landlords to evict perpetrators without forcing survivors to leave their homes, allowing tenancies to be transferred to the survivor's sole name. Councillors from both sides of the chamber supported the motion, with some urging for a clear implementation plan and accountability from the council.

Motion on Defending Local Democracy in Planning Decisions: Councillor Shimon Ryde moved a motion expressing concern over upcoming changes to planning legislation, which he argued would reduce councillors' and residents' ability to influence planning decisions. The motion highlighted concerns that smaller schemes would be decided solely by officers and that larger developments would default to delegated powers. Amendments were proposed and accepted, emphasizing the importance of local housing needs, meaningful public participation, and the need for genuinely affordable housing. The motion, as amended, was carried.

Youth Justice Plan Progress

The council reviewed the progress made on the Youth Justice Plan for 2025-2027. The report highlighted positive work in reducing re-offending and keeping children out of custody, with a sustained zero custody rate and a reduction in first-time entrants to the youth justice system. Councillors acknowledged the importance of prevention, including addressing trauma, mental health, school exclusion, and SEND needs. While commending the achievements, some councillors called for greater ambition in lobbying the government for investment in schools and support services. The council noted and considered the content of the Youth Justice Plan and acknowledged the progress made.

Mayoral Appointments and Tributes

The meeting concluded with the investiture of the new Mayor of the London Borough of Barnet, Councillor Zahra Beg. She expressed her honour at becoming the first Muslim mayor of Barnet and outlined her commitment to serving all residents with fairness and respect. She also announced her support for two mayoral charities: Cherry Lodge Cancer Care and Give Local Barnet. Cadet Corporal Nguyen Wang was appointed as the Mayor's aide, and Imam Hamid Qureshi was appointed as the Mayor's Chaplain. Tributes were paid to the retiring Mayor, Councillor Danny Rich, and his civic team, including Deputy Mayor Councillor Edith David and Mayoress Laura Lastman, for their service to the borough.