Councillor Val Duschinsky

Extraordinary Council, Council - Tuesday 2nd December, 2025 7.00 pm

The council meeting included a discussion of an opposition motion regarding secrecy and failures in corporate parenting, following the death of three young people with care experience. The motion called for the resignation of Councillor Barry Rawlings, Leader of the Council, and Councillor Pauline Coakley Webb, Cabinet Member for Family Friendly Barnet.

Licensing Sub-Committee - Thursday 6th November, 2025 10.30 am

The Licensing Sub-Committee convened to review the premises licence for Food Centre, located at 190B Station Road, Edgware. The committee decided to revoke the licence due to concerns about the prevention of crime and disorder, and public safety, stemming from the repeated discovery of smuggled goods and breaches of licensing conditions at the premises. This decision was made after considering representations from the Trading Standards Team, the Licensing Authority, Public Health, and the Metropolitan Police.

Licensing and General Purposes Committee - Monday 3rd November, 2025 7.00 pm

The Licensing and General Purposes Committee convened to discuss polling places, animal welfare, trading standards, environmental health and wellbeing in Barnet. Councillors approved changes to polling places, adopted an updated animal welfare licensing policy, and took note of reports on trading standards, health and safety, and the council's health and wellbeing performance. The committee also reviewed its forward work plan for the remainder of the year.

Council - Tuesday 21st October, 2025 7.00 pm

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.

Strategic Planning Committee - Thursday 4th September, 2025 7.00 pm

At a meeting of the Strategic Planning Committee, Barnet Council resolved to approve plans for a new hotel in West Finchley, and for reserved matters relating to a residential development adjacent to Finchley Memorial Hospital. The committee agreed to conditions for the Shakespeare Road development relating to public realm improvements, fenestration, and vehicle servicing, and for the Finchley Memorial Hospital development relating to urban design and secure design.