The Barnet Council Cabinet met to discuss a range of issues, including financial planning, community safety, and development projects. Key decisions included approving a plan to address the council's financial challenges, rescinding a previous agreement related to Copthall Playing Fields, and adopting a rights of way improvement plan. The cabinet also approved the Economic Development Framework 2025-2030 and the Placemaking Framework.

Here's a more detailed breakdown of the key topics discussed:

• Financial Sustainability
• Individual Matters
• Parks and Open Spaces
• Community Safety
• Transport and Highways
• Housing and Planning
• Council Services

Financial Sustainability

The Cabinet addressed the council's financial situation, with Councillor Simon Radford, Cabinet Member for Financial Sustainability, outlining concerns about a potential £174 million deficit in 2030. He noted that this figure was cumulative, and that the council was working to make savings and lobby the government for more support.

Councillor Barry Rawlings, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Strategic Partnerships, Economy, and Effective Council, added that the council had inherited significant spending commitments and had been negatively impacted by a fiscal event that had increased interest rates and inflation. He stated that the council was determined to be prudent and make difficult decisions, but would not turn its back on those in need.

Councillor Rawlings also responded to a question about a previous claim that Barnet was on the road to financial stability, stating that the economic situation had changed since that claim was made. He cited temporary accommodation costs, increased demand for special educational needs and disability (SEND) services, and the borough's aging population as factors contributing to the current financial challenges.

The Cabinet then discussed the Business Planning 2026-2031 (Medium Term Financial Strategy) and 2025/26 Budget Management, which included a recommendation to delegate authority to the Chief Financial Officer to allocate the pay inflation contingency.

Individual Matters

The Cabinet considered the future of the Network service, which provides short-term well-being support to people with mental health challenges. Councillor Alison Moore, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, explained that referrals to the service had fallen in recent years and that there were now many similar services available through the NHS and voluntary sector. She stated that the council had a duty to ensure that these services were available in the local area, but not necessarily to provide them directly.

Councillor Moore noted that the Adults and Health Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee had concluded that it appeared prudent to close the service, given the availability of alternative provision. The Cabinet voted to agree to the closure of the Network service, subject to the implementation of a robust transition plan.

Parks and Open Spaces

The Cabinet discussed the Land at Copthall Playing Fields, Page Street, NW7 - CCFSA, regarding a proposal to rescind the agreement of the letting of the land to the Camden Community Football and Sports Association (CCFSA). Councillor Rawlings explained that the decision was based on the length of time the matter had been ongoing and the need for the council to have flexibility in its use of the land.

A representative of the CCFSA, John Dix, spoke about the history of the project and the difficulties the organisation had faced in working with the council. He stated that the CCFSA had recently signed a lease and sent it to HB Law, but that they had now been told that the lease was being rescinded.

Another representative of the CCFSA, Diane Culligan, founder of CCFSA, spoke about the importance of providing opportunities for women and girls to play football. She stated that the CCFSA had been trying to get the land for 10 years and that the council's decision was outrageous .

Councillor Rawlings stated that he was happy to meet with the CCFSA to discuss the matter further, but that the council needed to make a decision about the land. The Cabinet voted to rescind the in-principle decision to agree to the letting of the land to the CCFSA.

The Cabinet then moved on to discuss the Rights of Way Improvement Plan. Councillor Alan Schneiderman, Cabinet Member for Environment & Climate Change, introduced the report, explaining that it set out a vision for enhancing the borough's public rights of way over the next decade. He stated that the plan would encourage active and sustainable travel, access to nature, and improvements to public health.

Councillor Schneiderman noted that the plan aligned with the transport strategy, the local plan, and the health and well-being strategy. He added that it included actions to upgrade and maintain paths, expand the network, and promote better uses through improved signage and community engagement. The Cabinet voted to approve the Barnet Rights and Way Improvement Plan.

Community Safety

Councillor Sara Conway, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Community Cohesion and Ending Violence Against Women & Girls, introduced the Domestic Abuse and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy 2025-2029. She noted the dreadful incident that had happened the previous night and expressed her thoughts with the victim. She stated that the strategy was about everybody together and that it included a focus on early intervention, support for survivors, and accountability for perpetrators.

Councillor Conway highlighted the Step Up campaign, which is designed to address violence against women and girls, and the safe havens that have been opened in North Finchville. She also noted that Barnet Homes was moving for DAHA accreditation. The Cabinet voted to approve the Domestic Abuse and VAWG Strategy 2025-2029.

Transport and Highways

Councillor David Longstaff raised a question about the parking policy consultation, which had closed 10 months earlier but had not yet resulted in any feedback or a decision. Councillor Schneiderman responded that the consultation had received a lot of responses and that these were being analysed. He stated that a decision would be made in due course.

The Cabinet then approved the award of the Parking Software Contract to Chipside Limited.

Housing and Planning

The Cabinet approved the HRA Disposal Strategy for the selected disposal of properties over the next five years and delegated authorities to the head of strategic housing to approve the sale of selected properties.

The Cabinet also approved the transfer of the Barnet Homes property portfolio to the Laser Framework for Electric.

The Cabinet then discussed the Curry Rise and Bray Road Housing Estate, a proposal to regenerate the estate by demolishing the existing properties and replacing them with new homes. Councillor Ross Houston declared a registered interest in this item and left the room for the duration of the discussion. The Cabinet voted to authorise the Executive Director of Growth to take all necessary steps in the making of a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for the acquisition of any leasehold and other proprietary interests which NHG and STHAL are unable to acquire by agreement.

The Cabinet then moved on to approve the Statement of Community Involvement.

Council Services

The Cabinet discussed the Economic Development Framework 2025-2030, with Councillor Rawlings noting that the borough was a relatively low-paid London borough and that it was important to provide good, well-paid jobs. He stated that the framework would help to make Barnet a place of opportunity and development.

Councillor Anne Clarke, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure, Arts & Sports, noted that the framework overlapped with the government's industrial strategy, particularly in the area of creative arts. She added that she was pleased to see filming taking place in Barnet.

The Cabinet then approved the Placemaking Framework with Councillor Ross Houston explaining that this was bringing together a lot of different aspects of the council to create a network of thriving, healthy, and safer town centres.