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Cabinet - Tuesday 16th September, 2025 7.00 pm
September 16, 2025 Cabinet View on council websiteSummary
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The Barnet Council Cabinet met on Tuesday 16 September 2025 to discuss a range of significant issues, including the council's financial sustainability, the future of the Network service, and the adoption of new strategies for economic development and placemaking. Key decisions included the approval of the Economic Development Framework 2025-2030, the Placemaking Framework, and the Domestic Abuse and Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy 2025-2029. The Cabinet also agreed to proceed with the formal procurement phase for IT, Customer Services, and Revenues & Benefits contracts, and approved the HRA Disposal Strategy.
Financial Sustainability and Budget Management
The Cabinet received an update on the council's financial situation, noting that the projected budget deficit had increased from £55 million to £76 million, primarily due to assumptions on inflation and increased service demand, particularly in adult social care and temporary accommodation. Councillor Simon Radford, Cabinet Member for Financial Sustainability, acknowledged the concerns but emphasised the council's focus on making savings and engaging with an improvement partner. He highlighted that the council had inherited a difficult financial situation and had made tough decisions to maintain services while keeping council tax low. The Cabinet agreed to approve revenue virements and delegate authority to the Chief Finance Officer to allocate the pay inflation contingency budget.
Review of Capita Contracts
The Cabinet agreed to proceed with the formal procurement phase for IT, Customer Services, and Revenues & Benefits service provision. This decision follows an early market engagement exercise that indicated a shift towards hybrid delivery models, offering greater strategic control and flexibility. The Cabinet also agreed to review wider Digital, Data and Technology functions to define an optimal operating model. Performance updates on council tax and business rates income collection were noted, along with a decision to defer the extension date for the CSG Revenues and Benefits services. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director of Strategy & Innovation to implement structural changes for the future digital, data, and technology operating model.
Economic Development and Placemaking
Two significant frameworks were approved: the Economic Development Framework 2025-2030 and the Placemaking Framework 2025-2030. The Economic Development Framework aims to create an inclusive economy by capitalising on Barnet's investment potential, supporting businesses, and creating training and employment opportunities for residents. It focuses on six themes: securing investment, supporting priority sectors, building a skilled workforce, creating growing places, boosting the green economy, and ensuring growth benefits everyone. The Placemaking Framework, developed through extensive community engagement, focuses on creating safe, healthy, and vibrant town centres and growth areas. Its priorities include enhancing public realm, fostering community engagement, celebrating culture and heritage, securing funding for future places, and delivering accessible and net-zero places.
Domestic Abuse and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy
The Cabinet approved the Domestic Abuse and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy 2025-2029. This strategy sets out a borough-wide commitment to preventing and responding to domestic abuse and VAWG, informed by survivor voices and local data. It includes four partnership objectives: prevention and early intervention, support for victims and survivors, accountability for perpetrators, and safer environments. Progress on the strategy will be reported quarterly to the Safer Communities Partnership Board.
Housing and Estate Regeneration
The Cabinet approved the HRA Disposal Strategy, which aims to dispose of non-performing housing stock to generate capital receipts and support the HRA's financial sustainability. The strategy outlines criteria for identifying suitable properties for disposal, prioritising those with high maintenance costs or poor energy efficiency.
Furthermore, the Cabinet agreed to proceed with the compulsory purchase order (CPO) process for the Curry Rise and Bray Road Housing Estate. This decision follows unsuccessful private treaty negotiations with leaseholders and is necessary to facilitate the estate's regeneration, which will provide new, high-quality homes. The Council will act as the acquiring authority, with Notting Hill Genesis and Springboard Two Housing Association covering all costs. Leaseholders will receive compensation in line with compulsory purchase code rules, and eligible resident leaseholders will be offered shared equity or shared ownership schemes.
Other Key Decisions
The Cabinet also agreed to rescind the in-principle decision to let land at Copthall Playing Fields to the Camden Community Football and Sports Association (CCFSA) due to a lack of progress over nine years. Additionally, the Barnet Rights of Way Improvement Plan was approved, setting out a vision for enhancing the borough's public rights of way network over the next decade to encourage active travel and improve public health. The Cabinet also approved the award of a parking enforcement software contract to Chipside Limited for up to seven years, with a total contract value of £3,802,100. Finally, the Cabinet noted the contents of the Our Plan for Barnet Q1 - Delivery and Outcomes Framework,
which provides an update on the council's performance against its priorities.
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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Minutes of the Previous Meeting
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Barnet Council approved the minutes of the previous meeting on 16 September 2025. They also authorised an increase to the budget for the Geron Way Replacement Waste Transfer Station by £9.150m, bringing the total to £51.116m. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director of Growth to issue the notice to proceed to Stage Two of the main works contract to McLaughlin & Harvey Ltd, subject to external assurance and budget containment.
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The Future of the Network Service
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Barnet Council approved recommendations regarding the future of the Network service on 16 September 2025. The decision was to agree to the closure of the Network service, subject to the implementation of a robust transition plan. The Executive Director of Communities, Adults and Health, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, will oversee the development and implementation of this transition plan.
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Curry Rise and Bray Road Housing Estate
Recommendations Approved...that the Cabinet approved recommendations to progress a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for leasehold interests at the Curry Rise and Bray Road Housing Estate if private treaty acquisitions are unsuccessful, enabling the estate's regeneration.
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Domestic Abuse and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy 2025-2029
Recommendations Approved... to approve the Domestic Abuse and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy 2025–2029, proceed with its implementation, and report progress quarterly to the Safer Communities Partnership Board.
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Placemaking Framework Adoption
Recommendations Approved...to adopt the Placemaking Framework 2025-2030, as detailed in Appendix A, and to delegate authority to the Executive Director for Growth, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Homes & Regeneration, to make minor amendments and facilitate its publication.
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Rights of Way Improvement Plan
Recommendations Approved... the Cabinet of Barnet approved the publication of the Barnet Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP) 2025–2035 and delegated delivery responsibilities to the Director of Highways and Transportation in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change.
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Economic Development Framework 2025-2030
Recommendations Approved... to approve the Economic Development Framework 2025-2030, which aims to shape the local economy for the next five years by connecting growth with local opportunity to create a more inclusive economy.
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HRA Disposal Strategy
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Barnet Council approved the HRA Disposal Strategy on 16 September 2025. The strategy allows for the selective disposal of HRA properties over five years to generate capital receipts. Authority is delegated to the Head of Strategic Housing to approve sales over £1 million.
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Award of Parking Software Contract
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Barnet Council approved the award of a parking enforcement software contract to Chipside Limited on 16 September 2025. The contract is for up to seven years with a total value of £3,802,100. The decision authorises the Executive Director for Environment to finalise the specification and enter into the contract.
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Land at Copthall Playing Fields, Page Street, NW7 - CCFSA
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Barnet Council decided to rescind the in-principle decision to let land at Copthall Playing Fields to CCFSA on 16 September 2025. The Cabinet formally informed CCFSA of this decision and included the site for consideration of council land requirements.
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Statement of Community Involvement
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Barnet Council decided to approve recommendations regarding the Statement of Community Involvement on 16 September 2025. They adopted the Statement of Community Involvement, authorised officers to prepare and publish an adoption statement, and delegated authority for minor non-material changes.
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Business Planning 2026-2031 (Medium Term Financial Strategy) and 2025/26 Budget Management
Recommendations Approved...to approve recommendations regarding business planning for 2026-2031, including noting the refreshed Medium-Term Financial Strategy, updates on Exceptional Financial Support and the Improvement Partner, the delivery timetable, the proposed approach to the financial strategy, proposed executive and non-executive fees and charges for 2026/27, delegating authority for approval of executive fees and charges, recommending fees and charges to Full Council, authorizing officer consultation on fees and charges, and approving revenue virements and delegation of authority to the Chief Finance Officer for allocating the pay inflation contingency budget for 2025/26, while also noting the contingency budget and allocations.
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Review of Capita Contracts
Recommendations Approved... to proceed into the formal procurement phase for contracts for IT, Customer Services & Revenues & Benefits service provision, review wider Digital, Data and Technology functions, note performance on council tax and business rates income collection, and delegate authority to implement structural changes to enable a future Digital, Data & Technology operating model.
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Our Plan for Barnet Q1 - Delivery and Outcomes Framework
Recommendations Approved... the Cabinet of Barnet approved the recommendations within the Our Plan for Barnet Q1 Delivery and Outcomes Framework, noting the progress on key activities and performance indicators for the first quarter of 2025-26.
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Transfer Barnet Homes property portfolio to the Laser Framework for Electric
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Barnet Council approved the variation of the current LASER agreement to include the entirety of the Barnet Group portfolio of properties on 16 September 2025. This decision authorises the Director of Growth, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Strategic Partnerships, Economy and Effective Council, to proceed with the variation. The LASER framework will be instructed to commence the portfolio transition and procure electricity and gas for commencement of supply on 1 April 2026.
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