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Barnet’s services for children and young people with special education needs and disabilities (SEND) have been found to be making a real difference, according to the findings of a joint Ofsted and Care Quality Commission (CQC) report.

Two years ago today (23 March) saw the UK go into its first lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic and across Barnet people are reflecting on the impact it has had. Twenty-four months on and nearly a third of Barnet’s population has been infected with the virus (115,417), over two-thirds have been vaccinated and, sadly, 1,078 people have lost their lives.

Barnet Council is marking the 16 Days of Activism to challenge gender-based violence from today (Friday 25 November). The council has launched a three-year zero-tolerance plan to combat domestic violence and violence against women and girls (VAWG). Cllr Sara Conway, Chair of the Safer Communities Partnership Board, said: “The 16 Days of Activism is an important global campaign by the United Nations against gender-based violence.

Barnet is laying on free festive fun for all this season, lighting up its highstreets, putting up Christmas trees and Menorahs in town centres, and hosting Christmas markets and events for residents and visitors. Sixteen sites across the borough will be illuminated from 1 December, and the council is hosting the Christmas Fayre on Sunday December 4 in Chipping Barnet with Santa’s grotto, market stalls, fun-rides and entertainment.

Following the heavy snow from Sunday evening, 11 December, some services have been affected across the council. Gritting took place over the weekend and throughout the night and all main roads are flowing. Gritting teams have now moved onto secondary roads and town centres. Footway gritting is being undertaken, but with freezing temperatures expected to continue, we are advising that everyone takes extra care when making journeys. Service status:

Details of revised dates can be found at www.barnet.gov.uk/christmasbincollections. Blue recycling bin and black refuse bin collections will resume from the week commencing 2 January 2023 on residents’ normal collection day.

Following last night’s BBC London News story on rented properties with damp and mould which featured a block in Barnet, Deputy Leader of Barnet Council and Chair of the Housing & Growth Committee, Cllr Ross Houston said: “We have already been in contact with residents at Rockfield House affected by damp and mould and are doing all we can to help them and to resolve the problem.

The council is inviting residents to voice their opinions on the future of Finchley Lido Leisure Centre at the Great North Leisure Park, between December 2022 and January 2023.  This includes the possible relocation to North Finchley Town Centre to create a modern and more sustainable leisure facility at the heart of the town centre.   

Tributes paid to former Mayor of Barnet and Councillor for 40 years, Cllr Melvin Cohen Cllr Alison Moore, The Worshipful the Mayor of Barnet, has led tributes to Cllr Melvin Cohen, councillor for Golders Green ward and the former Mayor of Barnet, who passed away yesterday (13 December).

Following a public consultation in the autumn, a borough wide Public spaces protection orders (PSPO) for Barnet began on Monday  12 December and will be in force for three years.  This order allows designated council and police officers to take swifter action against those engaging in anti-social behaviour activities, by issuing advice, fines, behavioural orders, and formal prosecutions as appropriate.