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The Leader of the Council has announced that he is to appoint Cllr Simon Radford, current Chair of the Pension Fund Committee, to Cabinet as the portfolio holder for Financial Sustainability. Cllr Radford’s appointment to Cabinet will start after the Full Council meeting on 28 January where it will formally be reported. The Leader will continue to hold the finance portfolio until Cllr Radford takes up his appointment.

An award-winning film is spearheading a campaign by Barnet Council to encourage thousands of young carers to come forward and get support. We Know What to Do stars young carers from Barnet and focuses on the skills, heart, resilience, and creativity they display during their everyday lives.

The Mayor of Barnet helped switch on the Christmas lights in Whetstone High Street yesterday as lights were turned on around the borough. The event, arranged by Love Whetstone, was well attended with over a hundred people there to see the tree and high street lit up.

Barnet’s Cabinet will discuss options to plot a course to financial sustainability in the face of a ‘perfect storm’ that has unleashed a projected £29 million funding gap when it meets next week (5 December 2024). Cabinet Members and council officers have been working to address and contain the unprecedented pressures on the council’s finances, driven by conditions beyond the council’s control. These include:

The recent reported antisemitic incidents that have taken place in our borough and elsewhere in the capital are unacceptable. This week, hateful leaflets were spread around the streets of Hendon and Jewish schoolchildren have been targeted in two separate incidents. These cases are the latest in a surge of vile abuse and shocking violence experienced by Jewish communities.

Barnet Council has signed up to a national charter enshrining its commitment to opposing racism throughout its organisation. The Anti-Racism Charter, drawn up by trade union UNISON, addresses the nationwide issues of racial disparities in recruitment, promotions, training opportunities, disciplinary procedures and pay. It sets out 20 commitments for the council to implement throughout its organisation, from senior leadership to recruitment.

A memorial bench has been installed to honour the life and work of much-loved former Barnet Labour councillor Laurie Williams. Laurie represented East Barnet between 2014 and 2022. The plaque on the bench reads: ‘In memory of Councillor Laurie Williams (1937-2022) who loved and served his local East Barnet community.’

Barnet Council has received planning approval for Hendon Hub – the proposed multi-million-pound redevelopment of The Burroughs, the historical area of Hendon. However, this is simply a statutory notice that concludes the formal legal process, and the council has put the scheme on hold indefinitely.

As energy prices rise, we understand that

Barnet’s residents are being asked to share their views on the council’s future spending plans, including proposals for saving costs and increasing income to close next year’s forecast budget shortfall.