Barnet Council has approved plans for reducing poverty in the borough, with councillors voting for a raft of new measures at last night’s (18 October) Cabinet meeting.

Cabinet members were presented with a comprehensive plan to tackle the main causes of inequality between different communities, especially for those who experience lower than average job and education opportunities, as well as poorer health and wellbeing.

Councillors last night (18 October) approved plans at Barnet’s monthly Cabinet meeting to allow ‘Play Streets’ in the borough, following a successful six-month pilot scheme in East and North Finchley which ran until August this year.

Play Streets are a resident-led initiative that involves short road closures to create a safe space where children can play freely together right on their doorsteps. Once applications are approved, they will initially run for up to two hours a month per street.

Barnet Council’s Cabinet has approved proposals to update its social value policy, which will require suppliers of large contracts to support community projects, as well as create new jobs for local residents.

At last night’s (18 October) Cabinet meeting, Members voted for a minimum of 5% to be reinvested in social value initiatives by suppliers, on contracts worth over £100,000. For larger contracts, suppliers must create a minimum of one local job for every £1million of contract value.

Barnet Council and Middlesex University have announced the ‘BarNET ZERO Challenge’, a competition encouraging individuals and communities to come forward with innovative ideas and provide practical solutions for reducing carbon emissions.

Barnet Council's Youth Justice Service has been awarded Youth Justice SEND (special educational needs and disability) Quality Lead Status with a Child First Commendation, which recognises consistently high levels of practice with children who have SEND.

Youth Justice SEND Quality Lead Status is awarded to teams that provide evidence and case studies of improved outcomes for children in their borough achieved through effective partnership working.

Barnet Council has launched a Mental Health Charter, to actively support the mental health of people living and working in the borough and foster a culture of positive mental well-being. 

The charter, which was launched at a special event yesterday (10 October 2023), on World Mental Health Day, has been designed with the Barnet Together Alliance and received input from over 200 residents and 30 organisations across the borough.  

Barnet Council has today (Monday 9 October) begun work on a £500,000 first-of-its-kind playground for children and adults with disabilities.

The design includes equipment that: rocks, swings, spins, involves sound, climbing and slides, touch and sitting. The new Fair Play Barnet play area will be built in Victoria Recreation Ground, New Barnet, next to the existing playground.

The Leader of Barnet Council and the Leader of the Opposition have joined forces with our partners to say we must stand together and stop hate spilling over into our borough following the escalation in violence in the Middle East.

Leader of Barnet Council and the Labour Group, Cllr Barry Rawlings, and Leader of the Opposition and the Conservative Group, Cllr Dan Thomas, said:

Leader of Barnet Council, Cllr Barry Rawlings said:

“We know how worried and anxious members of Barnet’s Jewish community are owing to indiscriminate terrorism in Israel. I know myself from speaking to my Jewish friends, residents and colleagues that many have loved ones directly affected by these terrible events.

“We are working closely with the Metropolitan Police, The Community Security Trust (CST) and community leaders.