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Already one of the greenest boroughs in London, the council is committed to planting more trees in its parks, which will also help improve air quality. Using the grant money, major planting took place last week, with 25 trees planted in Oak Hill Park and Woodcroft Park, planting major shade trees close to the Orion School. In addition to this, the council will be shading children’s play areas in Brunswick Park and Basing Hill Park, as well as improving the entrance to Lyndhurst Park.

On November 7 a new lower benefit cap was introduced in Barnet which will reduce the annual amount which households in London can receive from benefits from £26,000 per year to £23,000. Two new exemptions have been introduced for certain carers and guardians. For those households being capped for the first time, the changes will come into effect from Monday 2 January 2017.  It is anticipated the lower benefit cap will affect around 1,000 households in Barnet.

The meeting will now take place on Monday 26 June and arrangements for the meeting will be confirmed nearer the time. The council has contacted members of the public due to speak at the meeting directly. Those who have already submitted views will not be required to resubmit them. The deadline for any new submissions for the re-arranged date will be Wednesday 21 June. The Re contract delivers a wide range of services including highways, planning, regeneration, environmental health, trading standards and the Hendon Cemetery and Crematorium.

Willesden Magistrates’ Court ruled that Barnet Council will now be able to begin enforcement action against the owners of the house in Clifton Gardens, Golders Green, despite their claims the work had immunity because it was carried out more than four years ago and attracted no complaints.

The new library is a three minute walk from the old site and is situated on Regents Park Road, providing modern, fit for purpose library facilities and delivering significant benefits for local residents. The library is one of Barnet Council’s four “Core Plus” libraries, providing the most extensive range of services and opening hours, whilst delivering a wide range of reading, learning, and cultural events.

At a meeting of last night’s full council, councillors unanimously agreed to appoint John Hooton to the role of Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service at the London Borough of Barnet. Mr Hooton has been interim Chief Executive at Barnet since May 2016. Prior to that, he served as Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Finance Director, having joined the council in 2010.

Silver Sunday kicks off Silver Week with a free afternoon tea at Woodhouse College, hosted by the council and Barnet Seniors Assembly. Silver Week will see those over 55 invited to a variety of activities and events, such as: art exhibitions, coffee mornings, well-being workshops, kayaking taster sessions, afternoon teas, relaxing therapy treatments, health walks and much more.

Barnet has the largest population of any London borough and is home to a high number of older people, many of whom require care. Following consultation the precept will be applied to Council Tax bills and will generate an additional £4.6 million per year, adding £2.80 per month for a band D property in 2017/18. Last night’s full council also approved plans to fill its total budget gap of £53.8 million until 2020 as pressure on services continues and income from central Government decreases.

Every April, Cityread London unites thousands of lives through literature, placing one book at the heart of the capital. Barnet libraries will be joining the rest of London by reading and discussing this year’s chosen book; ‘Ten Days’ by Gillian Slovo.   ‘Ten Days’ is a gripping novel inspired by the author’s research into the 2011 riots in London. The story is told through three perspectives: the police, politicians and residents, exploring what happens when these three worlds, together with the hard realities of living in the capital, collide.   

Barnet Council is leading the way and running a campaign across the borough to educate young people about the health implications of smoking shisha. The campaign, primarily aimed at young people aged 16 to 24, is raising awareness about the health impacts of smoking shisha, also known as hookah, narghile, waterpipe or hubble bubble smoking, at a time when residents are making their New Year resolutions to be healthier.