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The London Borough of Barnet has welcomed over 1,000 Ukrainian refugees since the Homes for Ukraine scheme was launched exactly one year ago on 14 March 2022. Around 710 Barnet households have opened their doors to those fleeing the war in Ukraine in what is one of the fastest and largest visa programmes in UK history, and over 1,000 households in the borough have registered an interest in becoming sponsors.

Barnet Councillors voted to approve the Tree Planting policy, which includes a commitment to plant 5,000 trees by 2028 at yesterday’s (14 March) Environment and Climate Change Committee. The policy is part of the council's ambitious plan to become one of London's most sustainable boroughs, and to achieve its target of being a net zero borough by 2042.

Barnet Council has banned the use of live animals as prizes for all events held on council-owned land. Councillors unanimously agreed to back the ban, raising concerns over animal welfare. The decision also supports the RSPCA's 'Pets as Prizes' campaign, which urges local authorities to ban outright the giving of live animals as prizes on their land.

The money, awarded by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities as part of the national Open Digital Planning project, will be invested in pioneering new software that will automate and reduce the current amount of paperwork of planning applications. Barnet is just one of a handful of councils to have received the funding, meaning the borough’s residents will be among the first in the country to benefit from the new digital system.

Barnet Council has received funding of £125,000 to make improvements to Chipping Barnet Library. The money from The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sports (DCMS) Cultural Investment Fund, will be used towards improving study facilities at the library, as well as providing a flexible space to host other council services.

Barnet Council has today marked the third anniversary of the first Covid-19 lockdown with a message to all residents. Marie Curie launched the National Day of Reflection in 2021 to remember those who died during the Covid-19 pandemic, and support those whose grief was affected by lockdown. Barnet Council Leader, Cllr Barry Rawlings, said:

Barnet Council has released a new video to promote the council’s free community skips service. The service is currently being used by more than 83 households a day, and the video’s aim is to encourage residents to make use and benefit from the service.

Councillors have voted to consult on sweeping changes to the council’s approach to housing, to improve tenants’ security and the quality and affordability of homes. The proposals, which will now go out to consultation with the public, include:

Barnet Council has been awarded £2.9m funding to improve the energy performance of the borough’s council homes, and help Barnet hit its target of becoming a Net Zero council by 2030 and Net Zero borough by 2042. The funding, from the government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, will help deliver fabric and heating system improvements in up to 238 homes across the borough, as well as reduce carbon emissions and fuel bills, tackle fuel poverty, and support green jobs.

Plans to build a £500,000 playground, aimed at children and adults with disabilities, and the first of its kind in the UK, were given the green light at the Barnet North Area committee meeting on Tuesday 28 March. The ‘Fair Play Barnet’ playground was designed with input from professional experts, parents and carers with a range of experience in different disabilities.