This represents a considerable challenge in Barnet, a borough with over 30,000 street trees. The annual leaf fall can be unpredictable due to weather and varying leaf fall times depending on tree species. The council is preparing for a sustained effort over a number of weeks to clear leaves from footways and highways during autumn and winter.

This year Barnet has several events on offer as part of Black History Month, which also recognises the diversity we have in our borough. October’s events vary from a virtual Black history themed walking tour, a live performance and a book club. All these events are free.

Barnet’s ward boundaries are changing for 2022, so our polling arrangements and where residents will go to vote also have to change in many parts of the borough.

National suicide rates are increasing. The latest local data suggest that, between 2016 and 2019, Barnet lost eighty-nine people to suicide: on average one person every sixteen days.  There is no conclusive data yet nationally or locally, but it is possible that effects of the pandemic and social restrictions will have longer-term impact on mental health and wellbeing.

The square, which has been designed and built to a high standard using high-quality materials, includes a flagpole for national recognition related activities and a new public indoor café on the ground floor of the Colindale office.

The council has taken the decision to rename the new square through public consultation and is inviting people that live, work and visit the area to get involved and vote on a new name.

Planning applications for a new development project in Hendon have now been submitted to the local planning authority. This is an important milestone for the project and follows the approval of the full business case by Councillors in July. Decisions on the submitted plans are expected to be taken later this year.

Barnet-based community groups can apply for a grants from the £320,000 Community Innovation Fund from 1 October.