Council & Politics
Barnet Council decisions, planning committees, councillors and local democracy.
95 stories · page 4 of 6
- Council & Politics · Barnet
Barnet Teacher Banned Indefinitely for Crystal Meth Use
A primary school teacher from Barnet has been banned from the profession indefinitely after admitting to using crystal meth. Charles Miles, 64, who taught at Dwight School, was dismissed following evidence presented to a Teaching Regulation Agency panel.
Barnet2 min readTrust 50 · Craft 60 · Hype 45 
Council & Politics · Chipping BarnetVilliers rules out Chipping Barnet election comeback
Dame Theresa Villiers has announced she will not stand as the Conservative candidate for Chipping Barnet at the next general election. The former MP, who lost the seat in 2024, will instead pursue writing and an academic career at UCL.
Chipping Barnet3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 61 · Hype 20- Council & Politics · Golders Green
Barnet councillor condemns ex-neo-Nazi's Tory advisory role
Barnet Green councillor Charli Thompson has labelled Kemi Badenoch's support for Joshua Bonehill-Paine, a former neo-Nazi with antisemitic convictions, as 'indefensible'. Bonehill-Paine was selected as a Conservative candidate before withdrawing. Barnet council leader Barry Rawlings has also written to his Conservative counterpart criticising the decision.
Golders Green3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 65 · Hype 20 - Council & Politics · Colindale
Four new heritage lampposts installed in Colindale
Four new lamppost sculptures, known as Waylamps, have been installed along the 125 bus route between Colindale and North Finchley. Funded by the National Lottery Community Fund and supported by the Mayor of London's borough of culture programme, the installations aim to help residents and visitors discover Barnet's heritage.
Colindale3 min readTrust 50 · Craft 95 · Hype 30 - Council & Politics · Chipping Barnet
Chipping Barnet set for Conservative gain, poll suggests
Chipping Barnet is among the London constituencies projected to switch from Labour to Conservative at the next general election, according to a new poll. The survey also suggests Finchley and Golders Green could see a similar shift.
Chipping Barnet2 min readTrust 74 · Craft 87 · Hype 28 - Council & Politics · Barnet
Dollis Valley Estate Regeneration Deal Collapses, £58.85m Grant Lost
A regeneration deal for Barnet's Dollis Valley Estate has collapsed, resulting in the loss of a £58.85 million Greater London Authority grant. Barnet Council now faces significant demolition costs and uncertainty over the future of condemned blocks.
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Grenfell-linked director appointed at Barnet Group
Laura Johnson, who was director of housing at Kensington and Chelsea Council during the Grenfell Tower fire, has been appointed group director of development and property at The Barnet Group. The role was advertised with a salary up to £157,078. Barnet Council stated the appointment was made on merit.
Barnet3 min readTrust 70 · Craft 75 · Hype 45 - Council & Politics · Golders Green
Khan pledges £875k to fight extremism amid hate crime rise
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has announced an additional £875,000 to combat extremism, citing a significant increase in antisemitic and anti-Muslim hate crimes. The funding will support grassroots initiatives and preventative programmes across the city.
Golders Green3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 65 · Hype 45 - Council & Politics · Barnet
CIPFA review finds Barnet Council’s strategy fails to deliver for residents
An independent review by CIPFA has found Barnet Council’s financial problems stem from a failure to turn strategies into action. The report highlights late agenda papers, weak scrutiny, and a cautious culture delaying decisions, while warning of risks in the capital programme and joint ventures.
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Council & Politics · High BarnetBarnet faces new planning rules forcing homes near Tube stations
Barnet Council will be required to adopt a 'default yes' approach to housing schemes near Tube and rail stations under new government planning rules. The policy, announced by Housing Secretary Angela Rayner, aims to boost homebuilding but has drawn criticism from councils over green belt development and local objections.
High Barnet4 min readTrust 74 · Craft 95 · Hype 35
Council & Politics · High BarnetHigh Barnet air pollution halves since 2013 as ULEZ and EV points expand
Barnet Council’s latest air-quality readings show nitrogen dioxide on High Street has dropped by half since 2013. The 2023 ULEZ expansion and a network of 2,045 electric-vehicle charge points are credited. A Sunday play street launched on Calvert Road in April 2025.
High Barnet4 min readTrust 52 · Craft 62 · Hype 15
Council & Politics · FinchleyBarnet Council extends Finchley charity contract for £586,000
Barnet Council has extended its contract with Barnet Mencap, a Finchley-based charity supporting people with learning disabilities and autism. The £586,000 deal runs from September 2026 to August 2028 and aims to reduce demand for adult social care services.
Finchley4 min readTrust 56 · Craft 87 · Hype 12- Council & Politics · Barnet
Barnet Council extends Solace Women’s Aid contract after Met failings exposed
Barnet Council has extended its contract with Solace Women’s Aid until March 2030, costing £210,000 per year. The decision follows criticism of the Metropolitan Police’s handling of double murderer Simon Levy, who killed two women while on bail for earlier offences.
Barnet5 min readTrust 74 · Craft 95 · Hype 32 - Council & Politics · Barnet
Barnet faces 7,000 Green Belt homes under Mayor’s London Plan
Barnet Council has formally objected to the Mayor of London’s draft plan that proposes 7,000 new homes on the borough’s Green Belt. The consultation closes on 15 October 2026, with at least half of all new homes required to be affordable.
Barnet5 min readTrust 74 · Craft 95 · Hype 35 - Council & Politics · Barnet
Barnet Group workers vote 100% for strike ballot over unequal pay terms
Over 1,000 Barnet Group employees, including housing and social care staff, have voted unanimously for strike action after their demands for equal pay, pensions and conditions with Barnet Council workers were rejected. Unison will proceed with an official ballot later this month.
Barnet5 min readTrust 50 · Craft 66 · Hype 35 
Council & Politics · HendonBarnet Hill Academy to become first state-funded Islamic faith school in September 2026
Barnet Council will take over Barnet Hill Academy in West Hendon, ending its 20-year run as a fee-paying independent school. The move, approved by children’s services director John Anthony, aims to provide more places for Muslim families in the borough, where 12% of residents identify as Muslim.
Hendon5 min readTrust 74 · Craft 85 · Hype 15
Council & Politics · BarnetBarnet Council installs 27 mobile CCTV cameras in anti-social behaviour hotspots
Barnet Council has begun installing 27 additional mobile CCTV cameras across the borough, targeting areas with reported anti-social behaviour. The cameras, monitored live by council and police teams, are part of a 2022 upgrade plan. Residents’ reports have helped identify priority locations.
Barnet4 min readTrust 58 · Craft 62 · Hype 30- Council & Politics · Barnet
Noah’s Ark Hospice launches £1m appeal with Barnet councillors’ backing
Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice in Barnet has begun a £1 million fundraising drive, From That Moment, running until 12 October 2026. Barnet councillors and the Deputy Mayor of London for Children and Families attended the launch. The hospice needs £7 million annually and relies on donations for 76% of its income.
Barnet5 min readTrust 56 · Craft 80 · Hype 15 - Council & Politics · Barnet
Barnet loses £58m GLA grant after Dollis Valley call-in delay
Barnet Council has forfeited £58 million in Greater London Authority funding after Conservative councillors called in a cabinet decision to purchase 208 affordable homes at Dollis Valley Estate. The delay meant the grant was withdrawn, leaving the regeneration scheme in limbo.
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Council & Politics · Chipping BarnetMays Lane parking charges cut to one hour after trader petition
Barnet Council has reduced parking charges on Mays Lane, Chipping Barnet, to a single hour between 2pm and 3pm after traders warned all-day fees threatened their businesses. The experimental change runs until 3 February 2027, with residents invited to comment by 3 January 2027.
Chipping Barnet5 min readTrust 66 · Craft 87 · Hype 18