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Cabinet - Tuesday 22nd July, 2025 7.00 pm
July 22, 2025 Cabinet View on council website Watch video of meeting Watch video of meeting Read transcript (Professional subscription required)Summary
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The Barnet Council cabinet met on 22 July 2025, and made decisions on a number of important issues, including approving a transport strategy, setting a consultation on a lane rental scheme, and agreeing to progress with a compulsory purchase order for the Silk House and Shoelands Court development.
The cabinet also discussed financial matters, housing performance, and school meals, among other topics.
Transport and Highways
Transport Strategy and Action Plan
The cabinet approved the draft Transport Strategy 2025-42 and its accompanying Action Plan 2025-27, aiming to create a safer, greener, and more inclusive transport system. The strategy focuses on four key themes:
- Safe, accessible, and healthy transport for everyone
- Sustainable transport options through an integrated network
- Thriving communities in all parts of the borough
- Innovation in transport delivery
Councillor Alan Schneiderman, Cabinet Member for Environment & Climate Change, highlighted the strategy's emphasis on providing residents with choices and encouraging sustainable options. The strategy sets a target of 72% of journeys to be made by non-car methods by 2042.
Councillor Peter Zinkin questioned the achievability of the 72% target, suggesting it would require residents to drastically reduce car usage. He also criticised the strategy as being anti-motor car
.
Councillor David Longstaff defended the strategy, noting that over a third of Barnet residents do not have cars, and that car use has been declining as the population increases.
The Overview and Scrutiny Committee had previously recommended that the strategy should better reflect Barnet's position as an outer London borough, recognise the needs of older residents, and include achievable targets.
Proposed Lane Rental Scheme
The cabinet approved a public consultation for a proposed lane rental scheme, which would charge utility companies for roadworks on busy roads during peak hours. The aim is to incentivise companies to work at off-peak times, reducing traffic disruption.
Councillor Schneiderman explained that the scheme is designed to encourage utilities to work at less busy times.
The scheme would operate alongside the existing permit scheme, and any revenue generated would be reinvested in highway improvements.
High Barnet Bus Lane
Councillor Longstaff raised concerns about the new bus lane in High Barnet, suggesting it was causing more congestion and slowing down buses.
Councillor Schneiderman responded that the bus lane aims to make buses more reliable and quicker, and that the effects will be monitored.
Housing
Council Housing Performance
The cabinet received an annual report on council housing performance, noting improvements in emergency repairs and tenant satisfaction. However, there were concerns about delays in inspecting damp and mould cases.
Councillor Alison Moore, Cabinet Member for Health & Wellbeing, emphasised the health impacts of damp and mould and sought reassurance that vulnerable households were being prioritised.
The council stated that a dedicated Healthy Homes team had been created and resourcing issues had been addressed, with all late cases now resolved.
Temporary Accommodation Policy
The cabinet approved updates to the Temporary Accommodation Procurement Policy and the Temporary Accommodation Placement Policy. These updates were prompted by a Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman decision that found the council at fault for placing an applicant in unsuitable accommodation.
Councillor Houston explained that the updated policies aim to reduce the use of bed and breakfast accommodation and increase the supply of other types of temporary accommodation.
Silk House and Shoelands Court Redevelopment
The cabinet approved commencing preparations for a compulsory purchase order (CPO) for the remaining leasehold properties at Silk House and Shoelands Court, as part of the redevelopment of the estate. The cabinet also delegated authority to the Executive Director of Growth to authorise the demolition of the existing buildings once vacant possession is achieved and planning permission is in place.
Councillor Houston stated that the redevelopment will replace substandard blocks with new homes, including much-needed affordable housing.
Planning
Sustainable Design and Development Guidance Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)
The cabinet approved the draft Sustainable Design and Development Guidance SPD for public consultation. The SPD provides further detail and guidance to support the policies in Barnet's Local Plan, outlining the council's expectations for development standards.
Finance
Chief Finance Officer's Report
The cabinet received the Chief Finance Officer's report, which included the financial forecast for 2025/26 at quarter one and the in-year capital programme and budget management. The report noted an overspend, but also highlighted improvements in budget governance.
Councillor Simon Radford, Cabinet Member for Financial Sustainability, stated that the financial situation had improved and that there was still lobbying to be done with the government for fair funding.
Business Planning 2026-2031
The cabinet noted the report on business planning for 2026-2031, which covered the preparation of the budget for 2026/27 and the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) to 2031.
Other Matters
Procurement of School Meals Contract
The cabinet approved the procurement of a new contract for school meals, with a short-term extension to the existing contract to align with the academic year. The cabinet also added a recommendation that an in-house comparator will be included as part of the procurement process.
Brinkcross Town Third Phase Proposals
The cabinet approved the third phase proposals for Brinkcross Town, as well as the terms of a land sale being progressed for a plot to the delivery of a hotel.
Contract Award to Reillo Property and Construction Services Ltd
The cabinet approved a short-term contract award to Reillo Property and Construction Services Ltd for a period of 18 months, to support construction and reactive work delivery.
West Hendon Playing Fields Masterplan
The cabinet agreed a phased approach to delivering the West Hendon Playing Fields masterplan and approved the commencement of work for phase one.
Great North Leisure Park and Finchley Lido Leisure Centre Options Revision
The cabinet approved the discontinuation of development for the previously preferred option for the Great North Leisure Park and Finchley Lido Leisure Centre, and approved the progression of design and cost development for an alternative scheme.
Lionesses
Councillor Radford noted that there was a very important game taking place at the moment and requested that the cabinet formally note their wishes for the lionesses to win.
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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Great North Leisure Park (GNLP) and Finchley Lido Leisure Centre Options Revision
Recommendations Approved...to address viability concerns, the Cabinet approved discontinuing the previously preferred redevelopment option for the Great North Leisure Park and Finchley Lido Leisure Centre and progressing with design and cost development for a more affordable alternative scheme, while also approving a side letter to the Development Agreement with Regal London to reflect this change.
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Silk House and Shoelands Court Development Update and Compulsory Purchase Order
Recommendations Approved...to progress the redevelopment of the Silk House and Shoelands Court estate, the Cabinet approved commencing preparations for a compulsory purchase order for the remaining leasehold properties, delegated authority to the Executive Director of Growth to approve demolition works and secure vacant possession, noted the exclusivity agreement with Lovell for the design, and approved the addition of £635,000 to the HRA 250 budget for demolition works.
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West Hendon Playing Fields Masterplan - Update
Recommendations Approved...to agree to a phased approach for delivering the West Hendon Playing Fields masterplan, approving the commencement of Phase 1 works and Phase 2 subject to securing external funding, while delegating authority for further decisions to the Executive Director for Adults, Communities and Health in consultation with relevant Cabinet Members.
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Proposed Sale of Church Farmhouse
Recommendations Approved...to facilitate the sale of the freehold title of Church Farmhouse, NW4 4JS, the Cabinet delegated authority to the Head of Property Portfolio Management to set a reserve price, enter the property into auction managed by Savills UK Ltd, and enter into a sale contract with the highest bidder above the reserve price.
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Brent Cross Town - Third Phase Proposal
Recommendations Approved...to approve recommendations for the Brent Cross Town Third Phase Proposal, including delegating authority to the Chief Executive to finalise the proposal and legal documentation for the sale of Plot 204 for an economy hotel.
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Council Housing Performance
Recommendations Approved... the Cabinet of Barnet approved the recommendations within the Council Housing Performance Q4 2024/25 report, noting Barnet Homes' performance in managing council housing, including tenant satisfaction, repairs, health and safety, asset management, anti-social behaviour, and resident engagement.
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Temporary Accommodation Policies
Recommendations Approved...to approve the Temporary Accommodation Procurement Policy and the Temporary Accommodation Placements Policy, which aim to maintain consistency and clarity in securing and allocating suitable temporary accommodation for homeless households in Barnet, while also delegating authority for future minor amendments to the Executive Director of Growth in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Homes and Regeneration.
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Cabinet Forward Plan - Key Decision Schedule
Recommendations Approved -
Business Planning 2026-2031 (Medium Term Financial Strategy)
Recommendations Approved... to approve the recommendations outlined in the Business Planning 2026-2031 Medium Term Financial Strategy report, including noting the status of the 2026/27 budget preparation, updates on Exceptional Financial Support and the Improvement Partner's work, the delivery timetable, and the proposed approach to the financial strategy.
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Transport Strategy
Recommendations Approved... the Cabinet of Barnet approved the recommendations for the Barnet Transport Strategy 2025-42 and Action Plan 2025-27, aiming to create a safer, greener, and more inclusive transport system for all residents.
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Proposed Lane Rental Scheme - consultation
Recommendations Approved...to approve a public consultation for a proposed Lane Rental Scheme in the Borough, aimed at minimizing traffic disruption by incentivizing roadworks during less busy times, and to authorize the submission of an application to the Department for Transport for the scheme's implementation, subject to the consultation's outcome.
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Contract Award to Reillo Property and Construction Services Ltd
Recommendations Approved...to ensure continued construction/reactive work delivery, the Cabinet approved an 18-month contract with Riello Property & Construction Services Ltd, ratified previous payments to them, and authorized the Head of Estates to finalize the contract.
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Chief Finance Officer Report - Financial Forecast 2025/26 at Q1 and in-year Capital Programme & Budget Management
Recommendations Approved...that the Cabinet of Barnet approved the recommendations to note the financial forecast for 2025/26 at Q1, the current use of reserves, the Dedicated School Grant and Housing Revenue Account forecast, treasury management updates, the current debt position, and changes to the 24/25 outturn report, as well as approving the revenue virement and changes to the 2025/26 Capital Programme as set out in the report.
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Procurement of School Meals Contract
Recommendations Approved...to commence procurement of a new school meals contract for up to four years, with a short-term six-month extension to the existing contract to align with the academic year.
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Minutes of the Previous Meeting
Recommendations Approved -
Draft Supplementary Planning Document - Sustainable Design and Development Guidance
For Determination... to approve the draft Sustainable Design and Development Guidance Supplementary Planning Document for public consultation, aiming to promote high-quality, sustainable development in Barnet.
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