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18-22 October is Local Democracy Week Local Democracy Week highlights all the ways that you as a Barnet resident can get involved with local affairs – making your voice heard is more than just voting in elections. There are many ways that you can roll up your sleeves and get involved.

Submitting an issue to a Residents Forum

The last 18 months have taught us just how important being online can be in terms of social interactivity and keeping in touch with friends and loved ones. For many of us, being able to access services online is a given, however, there are still people across Barnet who do not have the skills to do so. A lack of digital skills can have huge negative impacts, including poorer health and well-being, social isolation, and less access to jobs and education.

The area is at the heart of our plans for the new park town Brent Cross Town. We want to transform it into one of north London’s most significant parks, a place where people can relax and enjoy green spaces, grab a coffee, and meet with friends. It will be a place where anyone, regardless of age, gender or ability can participate in active play and sport, or enjoy as a spectator.  That vision means offering a wide variety of new sports and play facilities that are accessible to all, as well as clear and safe routes throughout the fields and a pavilion. 

In the lead up to COP26, and following the government’s announcement of its Net Zero Strategy, the Leader of Barnet Council has released a statement on sustainability in Barnet. Cllr Dan Thomas, Leader of Barnet Council, said: “Across London, we have seen how climate change is playing a role in extreme weather events, such as storms and flooding.

Barnet Council has completed the first phase of its plan to increase the energy efficiency of a number of council-owned buildings. The £1.38million upgrade is part of the council’s wider commitment to becoming ‘carbon net zero’ by 2030 as an organisation. Phase one of the project has delivered a variety of energy-efficiency measures across Barnet Council buildings, including heat pumps, solar panels, battery storage and building management systems, installed in council offices, libraries, children’s centres and two primary schools.

Barnet Council is encouraging residents planning celebrations for Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, to make sure they apply for a street party license before the deadline of 8 April. Celebratory events, including street parties and big lunches organised by residents and community groups, will be held across the borough and nationally to mark Her Majesty’s 70-year reign, across the special Bank Holiday weekend from Thursday 2 June to Sunday 5 June.

Barnet’s services for children and young people with special education needs and disabilities (SEND) have been found to be making a real difference, according to the findings of a joint Ofsted and Care Quality Commission (CQC) report.

Two years ago today (23 March) saw the UK go into its first lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic and across Barnet people are reflecting on the impact it has had. Twenty-four months on and nearly a third of Barnet’s population has been infected with the virus (115,417), over two-thirds have been vaccinated and, sadly, 1,078 people have lost their lives.

Young people across Barnet have voted to elect their Members of Youth Parliament and Youth Ambassadors for the 2022 - 2024 term.  Barnet’s newest Members of Youth Parliament are: Elysse Adil, age 11, Belmont Preparatory School Isaac Reuben, age 16, JCOSS Barnet’s newest Youth Ambassadors are: