The Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Barnet Council met on Wednesday 16 July 2025 to discuss a range of important issues, including community safety, youth justice, and the council's financial performance. Key decisions included noting the Safer Communities Partnership Board's annual report and the Youth Justice Plan, and scrutinising the Q1 financial forecast which indicated a projected £5.098m overspend.

Safer Communities Partnership Board Annual Report

The committee reviewed the Safer Communities Partnership Board (SCPB) Annual Report for 2024-25, which detailed the work undertaken to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour. Councillor Sara Conway, Chair of the SCPB, highlighted achievements in areas such as CCTV upgrades, proactive policing through the Clear, Hold, Build initiative, and efforts to combat domestic abuse and violence against women and girls. The report also addressed hate crime and community cohesion, noting challenges faced by communities and the council's efforts to promote positive messages.

Key areas of focus within the SCPB's priorities included:

• Tackling and reducing anti-social behaviour (ASB): This involved initiatives like Community Safety Hubs, the ASB Case Review process (formerly Community Trigger), and increased visible patrols in parks. Operation Lysander was highlighted as a successful joint operation with the Street Scene team to tackle fly-tipping.
• Early intervention and prevention of domestic abuse and violence against women and girls (VAWG): Work in this area was detailed in the Family Services Annual Report, with highlights including improved communications, partnerships, and continued funding for the Culturally Integrated Family Approach (CIFA).
• Reducing offending, including violence, vulnerability and exploitation (VVE), with a focus on acquisitive crime: This priority's outcomes were also covered in the Family Services Annual Report, with specific mention of the Modern Slavery Strategy and Probation Service's work on early release and prison overcrowding.
• Safeguarding and supporting those vulnerable to radicalisation: Despite reduced resources, Barnet's Prevent team maintained similar delivery levels to the previous year and exceeded Home Office benchmarks in several areas, including training plans and referral pathways. The report noted the challenges of lone actors with mental health considerations and the monitoring of returnees from high-risk countries.
• Access to justice for those affected by hate crime: The report acknowledged the ongoing under-reporting of hate crime and Barnet's efforts to improve reporting confidence and support for victims. Initiatives included ward walks, community safety hubs, and the relaunch of the Hate Crime Newsletter. The Victims Care Hub continues to provide support, with funding secured for 2025/26.

The London Fire Brigade (LFB) provided an update, noting the appointment of a new Commissioner, Jonathan Smith. The LFB highlighted their work on VAWG through the Phoenix support group and identified key risks in Barnet, including Road Traffic Collisions (RTCs), accidental dwelling fires, and care home fires. They also noted the emerging risk of lithium battery fires and their #ChargeSafe campaign. The LFB's commitment to community engagement and preparedness in Barnet was also detailed.

The Health (Council) Update focused on the Barnet Combating Drugs Partnership Board (BCDPB), which has been leading a programme of work including the re-commissioning of substance misuse treatment services and managing grants. A new Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Recovery Improvement Grant (DATRIG) has been secured for 2025-26. The BCDPB has also developed a specific plan to address the risks of synthetic opioids, such as 'nitazines', in Barnet.

The Health (Integrated Care Board) Update confirmed that North Central London (NCL) ICB has delivered its statutory safeguarding functions. The ICB contributes to safeguarding work across Barnet through designated professionals and a system-wide learning group. They also highlighted a comprehensive training programme and ongoing work in areas such as non-fatal strangulation and the transition of ICB functions.

Youth Justice Plan Annual Report

The committee reviewed the Youth Justice Plan Annual Report for 2024-25, which outlines the progress made in preventing youth offending and supporting young people within the justice system. Councillor Pauline Coakley Webb and Councillor Sara Conway presented the report, highlighting the plan's focus on the Child First principle and the inclusion of young people's voices.

Key achievements and areas of focus included:

• Stable Multi-Agency Leadership: Barnet's Youth Justice Service demonstrated strong performance nationally and in London, with lower re-offending and custody rates compared to national and London averages.
• Education: The service is supported by Educational Psychologists, and training workshops have been delivered to staff and schools on trauma-informed practices. Barnet received the Youth Justice SEND Quality Mark Lead Status. An EET worker has been embedded to reduce the number of young people Not in Education, Training & Employment (NEET).
• Over-representation of Black and Other Minoritised Children: A Disproportionality Action Plan is in place to tackle inequalities. While 57% of the cohort were from Black and racially minoritised backgrounds, actions are being taken to address this, including improvements in stop and search procedures and unconscious bias training.
• Prevention & Diversion: The Engage programme, a custody-based intervention, has supported a significant number of young people, with a low re-offending rate. Out of Court Disposals (OOCDs) are used to divert young people from court, with a low re-offending rate among those receiving them. The Your Life, You Choose and Turnaround programmes continue to provide support.
• Serious Violence and Exploitation: Interventions are offered to reduce the risk of knife carrying, and partnerships are in place to address criminal and sexual exploitation. The Detached Outreach Youth Work Project engages with young people in high-risk areas.
• Resettlement & Transitional Safeguarding: A policy is in place to manage transitions from custody to the community, and a multi-agency Adults at Risk Panel supports young people aged 18-25.
• Restorative Justice (RJ) and Victims: A Victim Care Hub and RJ Coordinator support victims and promote RJ approaches. Barnet YJS is working with various partners to deliver community paybacks/reparations.

The committee noted that the Youth Justice Plan 2025-27 will prioritise areas such as tackling disproportionality, improving mental health support, and developing new assessment tools.

Chief Finance Officer Report - Financial Forecast and Budget Management

Councillor Simon Radford, Cabinet Member for Financial Sustainability, presented the Chief Finance Officer's report on the 2025/26 Q1 Financial Forecast and Budget Management. The report indicated a projected revenue overspend of £5.098m after planned reserve drawdowns. The council's committed reserves are forecast to be £14.7m at the end of 2025/26, with General Fund balances of £15m.

Key points from the financial report included:

• Revenue Budget: The projected overspend of £5.098m is after £3.035m of planned reserve drawdowns. The report detailed variances across service areas, with significant pressures noted in Children's Family Services and Growth.
• Reserves: The council's earmarked reserves have reduced significantly over recent years. The forecast shows a projected drawdown of £3.035m in the current financial year.
• Savings: Of the £23.5m in planned savings for 2025/26, £21.482m are forecast to be achieved, leaving a gap of £2.062m.
• Contingency: A significant contingency budget of £37.484m was allocated for 2025/26 to cover unforeseen pressures, with £32.447m having been committed or posted by Q1.
• Housing Revenue Account (HRA): The HRA forecast shows a deficit of £1.529m, resulting in a projected reserve carry forward of £9.767m.
• Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG): A forecast overspend of £5.354m is projected, primarily within the High Needs Block.
• Public Health Grant: A forecast overspend of £0.1m is projected, with a high risk of the reserve being exhausted.
• Special Parking Account (SPA): A favourable variance of £1.419m is forecast, driven by increased income from Penalty Charge Notices and residents' permits.
• Capital Programme: The revised capital programme totals £737.904m, with £338.240m allocated for 2025-26. The report detailed funding sources, including borrowing, capital receipts, grants, S106, and CIL. A significant portion of the programme is funded by borrowing (£358.034m).
• Revenues and Debt: Council Tax collection rates are slightly lower than the previous year, while Business Rates collection rates are higher. The report detailed the council's emergency financial support for residents and the current debt position, with NHS North Central London ICB identified as a significant debtor.

The committee discussed the use of reserves, the accuracy of trend data for forecasting, and the need for robust financial scrutiny. A recommendation was made for a future paper on forecasting methodology.

Task and Finish Group Updates

The committee received an update on the progress of various Task and Finish Groups. Groups on Food Security and Allotments are nearing completion, with reports expected to be presented to Cabinet in July 2025. New groups are being established to examine Fostering and Fast Food Shops.

Cabinet Forward Plan

The committee reviewed the Cabinet Forward Plan, identifying several items for potential pre-decision scrutiny. These included the Placemaking Framework Adoption, Middlesex University Leases Approval, and the Capita Contract Review. The committee agreed to receive further briefings on these items to determine the extent of pre-decision scrutiny required. The SEND item was recommended for consideration by the Children's Scrutiny Committee.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme

The committee reviewed and agreed the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme for 2025-26. This programme includes a range of topics for in-depth review and scrutiny, reflecting input from councillors, officers, and the public. The Library Strategy was noted as being scheduled for consideration in November.

The meeting concluded with thanks to all attendees and officers.