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Councillors have voted to consult on sweeping changes to the council’s approach to housing, to improve tenants’ security and the quality and affordability of homes. The proposals, which will now go out to consultation with the public, include:

Barnet Council has been awarded £2.9m funding to improve the energy performance of the borough’s council homes, and help Barnet hit its target of becoming a Net Zero council by 2030 and Net Zero borough by 2042. The funding, from the government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, will help deliver fabric and heating system improvements in up to 238 homes across the borough, as well as reduce carbon emissions and fuel bills, tackle fuel poverty, and support green jobs.

Plans to build a £500,000 playground, aimed at children and adults with disabilities, and the first of its kind in the UK, were given the green light at the Barnet North Area committee meeting on Tuesday 28 March. The ‘Fair Play Barnet’ playground was designed with input from professional experts, parents and carers with a range of experience in different disabilities.

Barnet Council has awarded £15,000 to community groups and individuals staging ‘learn and discover’ events as part of the borough’s status as a feature destination in June’s London Festival of Architecture. This will be the first time the festival has included an outer London borough and recipients of the fund will offer residents and visitors a variety of free walks, talks and exhibitions to explore Barnet’s public and hidden architectural gems.

An Edgware shopkeeper has been given a hefty fine after being caught selling a vape to a 14-year-old by Barnet Council’s Trading Standards team. Mr Sheroz Talib, owner of Fone Us Edgware, was charged with selling nicotine products to a person aged under 18 years old at Willesden Magistrates Court.

Rev Julie Gittoes, vicar of St Mary’s and Christ Church Hendon, has been appointed Chair of Barnet Council’s newly launched Hendon Community Partnership Board.  The council has formed the partnership to bring together representatives of the local community, councillors and council officers to oversee and have input into the multi-million-pound Hendon redevelopment scheme.

Barnet Council services including Planning, Highways and Environmental Health returned to in-house control on Saturday 1 April, following the end of the 10-year joint venture ‘Re’ with outsourcing company Capita. The move sees around 300 Re staff transfer to direct employment with the council.

Barnet Council has become the first local authority to launch the InBest benefits calculator, designed to support residents with the rise in cost of living. The InBest benefits calculator has been integrated into Barnet’s online support application, to make it easier for people who are experiencing financial difficulties to find out what support is available to them.

Barnet Council has launched a new campaign aimed at helping residents to keep their homes healthy and free from damp, mould, and condensation. The council has recognised that dampness is a common problem for residents, which can lead to a range of health hazards, including respiratory problems and asthma.

In the lead up to Earth Day on 22 April 2023, Barnet’s Young Peoples’ Assembly have put together a series of videos to encourage action to help raise awareness and encourage sustainability in Barnet.