Council & Politics
Barnet Council decisions, planning committees, councillors and local democracy.
95 stories · page 3 of 6
Council & Politics · East BarnetEnfield Council Adopts New Four-Year Plan Amidst Debate
Enfield Council has approved its new four-year plan, 'Delivering for Enfield', for 2026-30. The plan outlines priorities including cleaner streets and safer neighbourhoods. Councillors voted to adopt the plan, with Conservative members in favour and Labour and Green members abstaining.
East Barnet3 min readTrust 40 · Craft 60 · Hype 40
Council & Politics · HendonHendon parklet licence to be renewed despite opposition
Barnet Council has decided to allow the renewal of a licence for a parklet outside Pita Street restaurant in Hendon. The decision comes despite a petition with over 500 signatures opposing the structure, with concerns raised about parking and antisocial behaviour.
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Council & Politics · BarnetBarnet Council to bring IT systems in-house
Barnet Council will bring its IT systems in-house as its contract with Capita expires. A deal with Ultima Business Solutions fell through due to a merger and increased cost demands, prompting the council to insource services by October 2026.
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Council & Politics · BarnetDan Thomas quits Reform UK Wales leadership after arrest
Former Barnet Council leader Dan Thomas has resigned as leader of Reform UK in Wales following his arrest on suspicion of assault and controlling or coercive behaviour. He denies any wrongdoing and will continue as a Member of the Senedd.
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Council & Politics · BarnetEx-Barnet Council Leader Released Without Charge
Former Barnet Council leader Dan Thomas has resigned as leader of Reform UK in Wales after being arrested and subsequently released without charge. The arrest was on suspicion of assault and controlling or coercive behaviour.
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Council & Politics · BarnetBarnet's long-standing Conservative vs Labour electoral battle highlighted
Barnet is identified as a London borough where electoral contests between Conservative and Labour parties have been a feature for decades. This long-standing political dynamic is noted in the context of recent general election results and potential future mayoral candidacies.
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Council & Politics · BarnetBarnet appoints former Grenfell housing chief despite survivor backlash
Barnet Council confirmed Laura Johnson, former housing director of Kensington and Chelsea, has been hired as group director of development and property by The Barnet Group. The council says the recruitment was legal and transparent, but Grenfell United and survivor Ed Daffarn have called for an immediate review.
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Council & Politics · HendonHendon shop owner fined for selling knife to teenager
Barnet Council prosecuted Akif Durmaz, owner of Hendon International Food, for selling a knife set to a teenager. He pleaded guilty and was fined £3,080 with £1,500 costs. The prosecution followed an undercover test purchase operation.
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Council & Politics · East BarnetÖncü Food Centre evicted from East Barnet allotment
Öncü Food Centre and its director, Suleyman Tekagac, have been ordered to leave an East Barnet allotment site. Wandsworth County Court ruled the land was used for commercial storage without permission, and ordered the restoration of the site and payment of Enfield Council's legal costs.
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Council & Politics · BarnetBarnet Council records 11 complaints on cosmetic procedures
Barnet Council received 11 complaints regarding non-surgical cosmetic procedures between January 2021 and May 2026, placing it third among London boroughs. These complaints covered issues from alleged injury to hospital treatment, highlighting a need for clearer industry regulation.
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Council & Politics · BarnetBarnet Council Faces Social Care and Housing Pressures
Barnet Council is experiencing significant pressure on its social care and social housing services, exacerbated by a rise in mental health referrals. The government has announced plans for a National Care Service and increased investment in housing and mental health facilities.
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Council & Politics · Burnt OakBarnet Council starts Burnt Oak flood defence work
Barnet Council has begun construction on a flood alleviation scheme in Burnt Oak, focusing on Lyndhurst Park and The Meads Open Space. The project involves landscape adjustments and tree planting to mitigate climate change impacts and reduce flood risk to local properties.
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Council & Politics · East BarnetEnfield Send services rated highest possible by inspectors
Inspectors from Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission have awarded Enfield's local area special educational needs and disabilities (Send) partnership the highest possible outcome. The report found positive experiences for children but highlighted concerns over waiting times for assessments.
East Barnet3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 61 · Hype 21
Council & Politics · HendonWest Hendon Playing Fields upgrades include new courts
New tennis and basketball courts, along with an expanded children's play area, have been installed at West Hendon Playing Fields as part of Barnet Council's initial park upgrade phase. Future plans include an all-weather pitch and café.
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Council & Politics · Burnt OakBurnt Oak brook reshaping to improve flood defences
Flood alleviation works are starting in Burnt Oak this month to improve the stability and safety of Burnt Oak Brook. The scheme aims to protect homes and businesses from increased flood risk due to climate change and is part of a wider £6 million project.
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Council & Politics · Burnt OakFlood‑alleviation work starts at Lyndhurst Park and The Meads, reducing risk for Burnt Oak residents
Barnet Council will commence flood‑alleviation works at Lyndhurst Park and The Meads Open Space in Burnt Oak this month. New basins, wetland planting and reshaped slopes aim to lower flood risk for nearby homes and add a biodiverse amenity for residents.
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Council & Politics · BarnetBarnet flats keep pumping sewage into rivers as mayor funds pilot
Thames Water identified seven flats with sewage misconnections in October 2024; two remain in Barnet. The mayor has allocated £2.7 million for a pilot officer to tackle the problem, and Barnet Council says it will act swiftly to resolve the remaining cases.
Barnet4 min readTrust 64 · Craft 95 · Hype 30- Council & Politics · Chipping Barnet
Chipping Barnet Foodbank Calls for Realistic Universal Credit Rates
Bob Bevil of Chipping Barnet Foodbank has called for Universal Credit rates to be recalculated using a methodology similar to the Living Wage. He states current benefit levels are historical and arbitrary, failing to account for rising essential costs.
Chipping Barnet2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 53 · Hype 10 - Council & Politics · Finchley
Finchley councillor questions PM job description
A Finchley councillor has highlighted the absence of a formal job description for the UK Prime Minister, questioning the process for selecting national leaders. The issue arose during discussions about planning and change management.
Finchley3 min readTrust 30 · Craft 45 · Hype 41 - Council & Politics · Chipping Barnet
Dame Theresa Villiers to leave Parliament for UCL academic role
Dame Theresa Villiers, the former Conservative MP for Chipping Barnet, has announced she will not stand at the next general election. She plans to focus on an academic career, undertaking postgraduate research at University College London.
Chipping Barnet3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 61 · Hype 20