Councillor Anne Clarke

Cabinet - Tuesday 18th February, 2025 7.00 pm

The meeting began with a discussion of Barnet Council's financial position, which is facing a projected budget gap of up to £79 million. Councillors noted a consistent shortfall in savings delivery, with the council consistently achieving only around 85% of its savings targets. They also expressed concerns about the increasing number of pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), which is outstripping the overall pupil population growth and putting pressure on the council's budget. The council's low social housing stock was also highlighted as a contributing factor to the high costs of temporary accommodation. The impact of an ageing population on adult social care costs was also discussed.

Cabinet - Wednesday 5th February, 2025 7.00 pm

At this meeting the Cabinet agreed to refer the Barnet Local Plan 2021-2036 to Full Council for formal adoption on 04 March 2025, to approve a new Planning Obligations SPD, and to approve the capital expenditure budget for the Improving Barnet's Roads 2025/26 Programme. The cabinet also approved the Annual Procurement Forward Plan for 2025-26. They also noted three motions referred to them from the Full Council meeting of 28 January 2025.

Council - Tuesday 28th January, 2025 7.00 pm

The Council of Barnet Council met on Tuesday 28 January 2025. The meeting started with tributes to Councillor Eva Greenspan, and former Councillors Usha Chopra and Joe Lee who had all sadly passed away. The council then adopted the [Joint Report of the Monitoring Officer and Chief Finance Officer (section 151 Officer)][Council cover report 28 January 2025], which detailed unlawful payments that had been made to, and from the Barnet Pension Fund. The Council delegated to the Pension Fund and Governance, Audit, Risk Management and Standards Committees the task of establishing the best way to rectify these unlawful payments, and delegated authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Monitoring Officer and Chief Finance Officer, to put those steps into effect. The council also noted the appointment of Alexa, Alina, Zahra, and Shama from Copthall Girls School to speak about the 60th anniversary of the London Borough of Barnet.

Cabinet - Thursday 5th December, 2024 7.00 pm

The Cabinet of Barnet Council met on 05 December 2024 and approved the publication of the Annual Equalities Report 2024. The Cabinet noted the significant budgetary pressures facing the council, agreeing to launch a public consultation on plans to raise Council Tax by 4.98%, to help balance the budget. The Cabinet also received an update on the Brent Cross development, including the approval of plans to extend the lease of the Next store in the retail park.

Cabinet - Monday 18th November, 2024 7.00 pm

The Cabinet agreed to make significant changes to its capital programme, reducing expenditure by £69.5m. They also approved plans for the Grand Park North East development, with Lovell Partnerships Ltd. as their chosen partner for the scheme. They further endorsed the recommendations made in a report on GP Access in the borough, and a review of capital contracts with Capita. Finally, they approved changes to the Council Tax Support Scheme for consultation, and a proposal to decommission Pay & Display machines.