The Barnet Council meeting on 21 October 2025 included tributes to former councillors Vanessa Gearson and Agnes Slocum, a discussion on high streets resulting in a decision to provide a written response to a deputation, and a discussion on public engagement in major developments, also resulting in a decision to provide a written report. The council also unanimously carried a joint motion condemning the Yom Kippur terrorist attack in Manchester.

Here's a more detailed look at the key topics discussed:

• Tributes to Former Councillors
• High Streets
• Public Engagement in Major Developments
• Yom Kippur Terrorist Attack
• Regents Park Road Bus Lane
• Edgware Drains
• Gambling and Fast Food Outlets
• Potholes in Child's Hill
• Commissioners and the Budget
• Overparking in Cricklewood
• Regional Park for Barnet
• Capita Contracts
• Cabinet Forward Plan
• Community Safety for the Jewish Community
• Climate Assembly and Other Budget Items
• Arts Funding
• Hostage Posters and Ribbons
• Other Motions
• Land Drainage Bylaws for Flood Risk Management
• Non-Executive Fees and Charges
• Constitutional Review

Tributes to Former Councillors

The council paid tribute to the late former councillors Vanessa Gearson and Agnes Slocum.

Vanessa Gearson, who served as a councillor for Garden Suburb Ward, was remembered for her intelligence, political acumen, and contributions as Cabinet Member for Education.

Agnes Slocum, a former West Hendon councillor and the first black mayor of Barnet, was honoured for her 36 years of service to the community, her passion for young people, and her work with various community organisations, including the Barnet African Caribbean Association and the Barnet Multicultural Centre in Algernon Road.

High Streets

Ollie Gough led a deputation to discuss Chipping Barnet High Street, emphasising its community spirit and the challenges it faces, such as empty shop fronts and struggling businesses. He requested that the council build on existing efforts and use government reforms to revitalise high streets.

Councillor Hutton inquired about government investment in high streets and how the council could provide support. Ollie Gough suggested cultivating a unique sense of identity, supporting small businesses, and improving accessibility for vulnerable community members.

Councillor Young asked how the government's Pride in Place reforms could support high streets. Ollie Gough highlighted the importance of expanding council powers to deal with empty shops, reducing the burden of compulsory purchase orders¹, and enabling communities to buy assets of community value.

Councillor Moore proposed that officers respond to the deputation, while Councillor Zinkin suggested taking note of the deputation and taking no further action. The council voted to provide a written response to the deputation.

Public Engagement in Major Developments

George Tooley led a deputation advocating for complete and open public engagement in major developments, criticising the current system for lacking transparency and resident influence. He requested a report on implementing a new framework for community participation in planning, including a borough-wide participation audit, a summary for public information for every major planning application, and pre-application engagement guidance for developers. He also proposed a people's planning forum to support and oversee the process.

Councillor Naranthera asked which parts of the statement of community involvement would assist residents and which needed further policy support. George Tooley responded that statements need to be translated into meaningful policy and practice.

Councillor Cornelius asked if the current arrangements were satisfactory. George Tooley said that the council's policy on participation was not being delivered.

Councillor said that most applications follow detailed discussions with developers, community groups, and interested parties. George Tooley requested a summary document for residents who aren't trained to understand the language of planning and development.

Councillor Barnes highlighted the administration's efforts to secure new social rent homes and asked if it was a move in the right direction. George Tooley said that while they were grateful for any attempt to improve the housing mix, it was almost impossible to decode the number of social homes from the planning portal.

Councillor Houston proposed submitting the deputation to the current consultation and bringing a report to the next appropriate meeting. Councillor Zinkin seconded the proposal, emphasising the need for better communication with residents. The council voted in favour of Councillor Houston's proposal.

Yom Kippur Terrorist Attack

The council unanimously carried a joint motion in the names of Councillor Barry Rawlings, Leader of the Council, Councillor Peter Zinkin, Leader of the Conservative Group, and Councillor Mark Shooter, condemning the terrorist attack on a synagogue in Manchester during Yom Kippur². The motion expressed solidarity with the Jewish community and paid tribute to the police, fire service, ambulance, CST³, and local volunteers.

Regents Park Road Bus Lane

Councillor Zinkin asked about the estimated extra costs of redoing works on the Regents Park Road bus lane. Councillor Mastin Lee raised concerns about the bus lane becoming a local disaster. Councillor Schneiderman clarified that the design consultants are covering all costs for the amendments and that the consultants made many visits to the site.

Councillor Zinkin asked if the consultants visited the site, and Councillor Schneiderman confirmed that they had. Councillor Zinkin also said that Councillor Schneiderman had misled the council by saying that the then leader objected to the scheme, and Councillor Schneiderman clarified that Councillor Grocock and the late Councillor Greenspan attended the ward member engagement sessions and did not object at that time, but Councillor Thomas subsequently sent in an objection.

Councillor Mastin Lee asked what time saving is estimated to be brought to this stretch of Regents Park Road by this bus lane. Councillor Schneiderman said that the rationale for the bus lane is to speed up buses on the 13 and 460 routes, and that the bus lane is based on areas where Transport for London (TfL) data shows that the buses are being delayed.

Edgware Drains

Councillor Wakeley raised concerns about a frequent foul smell in the centre of Edgware and asked if the cabinet member would meet with him and the senior drainage engineer to resolve the issue. Councillor Schneiderman agreed to meet with Councillor Wakeley.

Gambling and Fast Food Outlets

Councillor Baker asked if the council should campaign to limit the number of fast food outlets as well as gambling outlets. Councillor Moore agreed, noting the health harms associated with fast food and the need for further powers for local government to limit their numbers.

Potholes in Child's Hill

Councillor Innocenti asked why there were so many more potholes being fixed in Child's Hill than in other wards. Councillor Schneiderman responded that councillors in Child's Hill were diligently reporting potholes and that the council was investing in preventative work to resurface roads and pavements.

Commissioners and the Budget

Councillor Cornelius asked if the leader would examine all alternatives in balancing the budget. Councillor Rawlings responded that they would look at everything they can and that they will have a balanced budget.

Overparking in Cricklewood

Councillor Cohen asked if there were any lessons that could be learned from the overparking of delivery drivers in Cricklewood that could be applicable elsewhere in the borough. Councillor Conway responded that the police and council team had run successful operations in Cricklewood, High Barnet, and West Hendon, and that residents' voices and the voices of the ward councillors have been really important in driving this forward.

Regional Park for Barnet

Councillor asked the Cabinet Member for Homes and Regeneration to commit to a regional park for Barnet to help protect green spaces. Councillor Houston agreed, noting that it is in the local plan and that they have taken steps to take the idea forward.

Capita Contracts

Councillor Cornelius asked if the leader thought that the contracts sounded naive. Councillor Rawlings responded that the contracts are finishing in September next year and that there will be a procurement exercise that will include looking at the options.

Cabinet Forward Plan

Councillor Cairn asked when the decision on the Cabinet Forward Plan would be seen. Councillor Schneiderman responded that there is now an update on the consultation website confirming that they are not progressing with the proposals set out in the consultation.

Community Safety for the Jewish Community

Councillor Barnes asked the Cabinet Member for Community Safety to outline what the council is doing to keep the Jewish community safe. Councillor Conway responded that this has been an incredibly difficult time for all communities, the Jewish communities across Barnet, and outlined the actions that the council has taken to support the Jewish community.

Climate Assembly and Other Budget Items

Councillor Longstaff asked about the budget for the Climate Assembly and other items. Councillor Rawlings responded that everything was in the budget and that they will have a settled budget that will go through the scrutiny process.

Arts Funding

Councillor McGuirk thanked Councillor Clarke for her response, which proves that this Labour Council is committed to arts, culture and leisure, and recognised the 21st anniversary of the Arts Depot. Councillor Clarke agreed that it is a great venue and wished them every success in the future.

Hostage Posters and Ribbons

Councillor Mastin Lee moved a motion that Barnet Council must not take down hostage posters and ribbons until all hostages have been released. Councillor Conway moved an amendment stating that further community engagement must take place before anything is removed by TfL or the council. The motion was amended and carried.

Other Motions

The council also voted on the following motions:

• A reform motion in the name of Councillor Daniel Thomas on cross party reform was lost.
• An administration motion in the name of Councillor Alan Schneiderman on fixing Barnet's roads and pavements was carried.
• An opposition motion in the name of Councillor Caroline Stock on supporting terminally ill residents facing poverty in Barnet was unanimously carried.
• A reform motion in the name of Councillor Daniel Thomas on national flags, amended by Councillor Schneiderman, was carried.
• An administration motion in the name of Councillor Conway and Councillor Zahra Beg on supporting and defending Barnet's communities, amended by Councillor Zinkin, was carried.
• A reform motion in the name of Councillor Mark Shooter on investigation to legal closure of asylum hotels, amended by Councillor Grocock, was lost.
• An administration motion in the name of Councillor Alan Schneiderman on the Mayor of London's success in reducing deadly pollution was carried.

Land Drainage Bylaws for Flood Risk Management

Councillor Schneiderman presented a report on London Borough Barnet Local Land Drainage Bylaws for Flood Risk Management and asked the council to approve the making of the bylaws and the delegation of authority to the Director of Highways and Transportation to progress the public consultation process. Councillor Zinkin said that the report was financial nonsense. The recommendations were approved.

Non-Executive Fees and Charges

Councillor Zinckin raised a governance issue about where these fees and charges are really reviewed. Councillor Rawlings responded that the Chief Finance Officer will go out to consultation and that there is an opportunity to take part in that consultation and make your views known. The recommendations were approved.

Constitutional Review

The council approved the Constitutional Amendments as set out in the appendices and authorised Head of Governance to implement the revisions.

Political Proportionality

The council noted the revised calculations in Appendix A of political balance.

Administrative Matters

The council approved the changes to committee meeting days as detailed in Appendix A, noted and approved the outside bodies nomination detailed in Appendix B, approved the changes to committee memberships detailed in Appendix C, and approved the calendar of meetings for 26, 27 as detailed in Appendix D.

Exceptions to Call-in Decisions Taken as a Matter of Urgency

The council noted the report of the Monitoring Officer concerning exceptions to call-in decisions taken as a matter of urgency.