The Council agreed to adopt the new Local Plan, approved the 2025/26 budget and the associated 4.98% rise in Council Tax, and appointed Cath Shaw as the new Chief Executive.

Deputation on the adoption of the Local Plan

A deputation from Save Our Edgware to the council asked them to reconsider the inclusion of the Edgware Underground Station, Bus Station and Bus Garage (Site 28) in the Local Plan. Anuta Zack spoke on behalf of the group. She said that two thirds of the site cannot be built on and the remaining third, the Bus Station and Bus Garage, shouldn't be built on either. Insisting on housing units there necessitates an underground electric bus garage. Despite warnings from the London Fire Brigade, there are no building regulations for such a structure. She added that no proper ecological assessments have been done, despite the site being home to protected species. Ms Zack said that because the site is flood threat zone 3, building an underground electric bus garage could leak hazardous materials. An EV bus fire could also contaminate watercourses with toxic chemicals. She finished by saying that there is unprecedented public opposition to the scheme, with hundreds of objections submitted to the Local Plan, and over 6,000 objections to the connected planning application, a Barnet record. Councillor Geof Cooke responded to the deputation. He said that TfL were turning the Edgware Bus Station into simple bus stops and moving the garage, but that the Local Plan makes clear that bus operations must be protected or re-provided as part of any redevelopment. He added that the Council will hold TfL to its own standards when considering any re-provision of the bus station. Councillor Cooke said that the site allocation report dates from 2018 and was signed off by the previous administration. He stated that the environmental considerations in the plan are from 2012 and it would be disastrous for the borough not to adopt the new Local Plan. He finished by saying that the Council cannot stop development happening in Edgware and that some development needs to happen. A vote on the action to be taken on the deputation was taken. The vote was to take no action on the deputation.

Adoption of the Local Plan - Barnet's new Local Development Scheme

Councillor Ross Houston proposed that the council adopt the new Local Plan. He said that it is the final stage in a nine-year journey to produce a Local Plan and the inspector's report is binding on the council. Councillor Lucy Wakeley said the Conservative group would vote against the Local Plan. She said that it is because the Labour administration has not addressed the concerns raised by residents about the plan, including the over 500 emails sent by residents. Councillor Wakeley stated that Labour were elected on a manifesto commitment to stop 'tower block blight'. She said that by adopting the plan Labour councillors are ignoring hundreds of residents and breaking a fundamental manifesto pledge. Councillor Nigel Young said that he supports the adoption of the Local Plan. He said that under the National Planning Policy Framework there is a presumption in favour of sustainable development. He added that without an up-to-date plan, the presumption to grant planning permission is even stronger. Councillor Young stated that not having a local plan increases the chance of inappropriate development happening throughout the borough. He said that the Local Plan will encourage and control housing growth, promote sustainable development and support social infrastructure. He finished by saying that without the plan Barnet will be condemned to uncontrolled overdevelopment and with the plan the council can preserve much of the borough's suburban character and protect green spaces. A vote on the adoption of the Local Plan was taken. The vote was to approve the adoption of the plan.

Resolution of appreciation

A vote of thanks to the outgoing Mayor, Councillor Tony Vourou, was read out. Councillor Nagus Narenthira read the resolution. Councillor Vourou thanked the councillors for their assistance during his term.

Election of Mayor for the Municipal Year 2025-2026

Councillor Danny Rich was elected by the council to be Mayor for 2025-2026. Councillor Ross Houston proposed Councillor Rich, and Councillor Kath McGuirk seconded the proposal. Councillor Houston said that Councillor Rich had served as Deputy Mayor, has a lifetime of public service, and was ordained as a Rabbi. Councillor McGuirk said that Councillor Rich was the first Rabbi to be Mayor of Barnet, he would be a fair and inclusive Mayor, and he has brought communities together. She said that Councillor Rich will represent Barnet as a fair and multicultural borough. Councillor Rich was not present at the meeting.

Business Planning 2025 - 2030

Councillor Barry Rawlings proposed the budget for 2025/26. He started his speech by listing the achievements of the council since coming to power, including fixing roads, improving waste collection, upgrading CCTV, building affordable housing, investing in parks, and improving adult and children's services. Councillor Rawlings stated that the council has a plan to address the structural problems facing local government, unlike the Conservatives. He said that the new Labour government has helped to address these problems through additional funding, but the Conservatives had run down reserves and failed to plan for the future. He stated that the Conservatives have no plan or vision for the future and recklessly ran down reserves while in office. Councillor Rawlings finished his speech by saying that the Labour party's budget is a positive one which will make a difference in people's lives. Councillor Peter Zinkin responded to Councillor Rawling's budget speech. He asked why this budget is different from all other budgets. He stated that the budget is balanced only because the government has allowed the council to borrow £55 million to balance it. He said that it is not a bailout and the borrowing will have to be paid back. Councillor Zinkin said that the council's spending is £55 million more than its income, a 'massive budget hole' which Labour have no plan to fix. He said that the council's claim that the budget gap over the next five years is only £100 million is 'utter nonsense' and the true gap is in excess of £325 million. He said that the council has no plan to fill the £55 million hole, so it will remain next year and for years to come. Councillor Zinkin said that the council has squandered the £100 million of reserves it inherited three years ago. Councillor Zinkin said that the council are blaming their difficulties on long-term interest rates, but the council's biggest liability is its pension fund and the fund is a beneficiary of increased interest rates. He also stated that Labour are taking money from the poorest and most vulnerable in the borough. Councillor Zinkin said that the biggest cost saving is a transfer of money from the household support fund to administration. He said that this was hidden in the budget papers and took months to explain. He stated that Labour have chosen to make cuts that will make the borough a worse place to live, including cuts to street cleaning, grass cutting, and the library service. Councillor Zinkin concluded by saying that the Labour administration has no answers to the financial crisis and that they will 'pay the price' for their financial incompetence. Councillor Nagus Narenthira spoke in support of the budget. He said that the Conservatives acquired a council where finances were in a terrible state and then made the situation worse. He said that under Labour there is a proper budget setting process and they have stabilised the budget. Councillor Narenthira stated that Labour have brought back financial control and introduced a 'spending review panel' to ensure the council gets value for money. He said that Labour have delivered a good Ofsted rating for Children’s Services and are weaning themselves off of expensive outside contractors. Councillor Narenthira finished his speech by saying that the budget has been prepared with 'residents’ interests at the forefront' and asked Conservative councillors to vote to approve it. Councillor Barry Rawlings summed up the debate on the budget. He said that the Conservatives have no plan for addressing the budget deficit and that the Labour Party have a plan, are investing to save, and are working with the Labour government to get things done. He said that the budget deficit has been caused by a combination of a rise in interest rates, a shortage of housing, and an increase in the cost and demand for social care. Councillor Rawlings accused the Conservatives of leaving the council with a budget deficit of £39 million and stated that the council has a partner in the new Labour government, are 'making a difference in people's lives', and have a plan that is working. A vote on the proposed budget was taken. The budget was approved.

Council Tax Support Scheme 2025-2026

The Council approved a new Council Tax Support Scheme. This included agreeing to continue with a discretionary support scheme. The Council also approved an additional budget of £0.115 million for staffing resource for these schemes.

Our Plan for Barnet Corporate Plan Review 2025-2026

The Council approved the revised priorities for the Our Plan for Barnet. These include tackling inequalities, reducing poverty, being family friendly, supporting residents to live well, creating safe and attractive neighbourhoods, providing quality affordable housing, creating a ‘Borough of Fun’, delivering the journey to Net Zero, enhancing the local environment, enhancing green spaces, providing greater community participation, building stronger communities, improving access to services, making the council financially responsible, and making the council a great place to work.

Pay Policy Statement 2025/26

The Council approved the 2025/26 Pay Policy Statement.

Appointment of the Chief Executive (Head of Paid Service)

Cath Shaw was appointed as the council's new Chief Executive. Councillor Alison Cornelius said that she would like the Chair of the Employment Sub Committee to speak on this. Councillor Emma Whysall, the Chair, spoke in support of the proposal. Councillor Whysall congratulated Cath Shaw on an excellent interview and thanked the other candidates and councillors who were involved in the appointment process. She said that Cath Shaw was the most outstanding candidate. Councillor Peter Zinkin congratulated Cath Shaw, saying that she was the outstanding candidate on the day and the Council is very lucky to have her. A vote on the appointment of Cath Shaw was taken. The vote was to approve the appointment.

Approval of Salary Package for New Post

The council approved a salary package for a new post of Assistant Director of Education, Strategy and Business Improvement. This replaces two previous positions. Councillor Barry Rawlings said that this will actually lead to savings for the council.

Constitution Review

The Council agreed to amend the constitution. This included making a number of corrections and clarifications. The Council also agreed to add a new section to the Budget and Policy Procedure Rules relating to Treasury Management¹ on the recommendation of CIPFA. The final change made to the constitution was to amend the petition scheme so that written responses are provided within 20 working days of a petition closing, rather than when it is accepted.

Waiver due to illness

The Council approved a six-month waiver for Councillor Cooke so he does not have to attend a meeting if he is ill. Councillor Cornelius said that Councillor Cooke is a hard-working councillor.

Members' Allowance Scheme 2025/26

The Council approved the Members' Allowance Scheme 2025/26, including the associated 2.5% increase in basic allowance. The Council noted that this will need to be formally advertised in accordance with the relevant Regulations.

Political proportionality

The Council noted the balance of the council and agreed to allocate seats on committees to comply with political proportionality rules. It was noted that there will be another election on the 6th of March and the proportionality will need to be recalculated.

Administrative Matters

The council noted and approved changes to the membership of the Constitution Review Working Group. The changes were required because Councillor Cooke is unable to attend meetings due to illness, and because Councillor Simon Radford was recently appointed to the Cabinet.