The Cabinet of Barnet Council met on Tuesday 16 January 2024, approving a 7.7% increase in social and affordable rents and service charges for council homes, alongside an average £8.22 increase for heating and hot water charges. The meeting also saw the adoption of Barnet's Sustainable Drainage Strategy (SuDS) and a long-term Highways SuDS programme, and the approval to commence the process for making land drainage byelaws.

Annual Review of Rents and Service Charges and Temporary Accommodation Rents for 2024/25

Cabinet approved a 7.7% increase for social and affordable rented homes and most service charges from April 2024. Heating and hot water charges will see an average increase of £8.22 per week. Rents for temporary accommodation will be increased to Local Housing Allowance (LHA) limits. Councillor Ross Houston, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Homes and Regeneration, introduced the report, explaining that the rent increases are necessary to balance income and expenditure, cover rising costs, and maintain housing services. The decision was made following consideration of the Housing Act 1985 and 1988, which govern rent setting. The report also detailed measures to mitigate the impact of the increases on tenants, including benefit advice and access to various support funds.

Amendment to The Barnet Group Articles

Cabinet approved amendments to The Barnet Group's Articles of Association, delegating authority for their approval to the Deputy Chief Executive. This move aims to align the articles with Companies House model articles, simplifying future amendments and ensuring compliance. Councillor Ross Houston, who introduced the report, highlighted that this change would streamline governance and reduce the need for frequent re-filing with Companies House when the Terms of Reference are amended.

Barnet Community Participation Strategy: Year 1 Progress Report

Councillor Sara Conway, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Participation, presented the Year 1 Progress Report on the Barnet Community Participation Strategy. The report detailed achievements in fostering community connections and involving residents in council decision-making through various projects, including a Citizens' Assembly on Climate Change and Biodiversity, the Leader Listens programme, and the co-production of the Barnet Culture Strategy. Cabinet noted the progress made in embedding the strategy's principles across the organisation and fostering a more inclusive approach to council work.

Serious Violence Strategy 2024-27

Cabinet approved the Serious Violence Strategy 2024-27, the accompanying Strategic Needs Assessment 2023, and the Outline Violence & Vulnerability Action Plan 2023. Councillor Sara Conway and Councillor Pauline Coakley Webb introduced the report, emphasising the strategy's multi-agency approach to preventing and reducing serious violence in Barnet. The strategy, developed in response to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, outlines seven strategic objectives, including strengthening partnership working, engaging communities in problem-solving, raising public awareness, and supporting victim services.

School Funding Report

Councillor Pauline Coakley Webb, Cabinet Member for Family Friendly Barnet, presented the annual report on school funding in Barnet. Cabinet noted the report and approved the formula funding to be used in the Authority Proforma Tool for 2024/25. This includes a Minimum Funding Guarantee of +0.5% for all primary and secondary schools, ensuring an increase in funding per pupil. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director for Children's Services, in consultation with the Lead Member and Executive Director for Strategy and Resources, to approve the final Authority Proforma Tool for submission to the Department for Education.

Annual Procurement Forward Plan (APFP) 2024-25 Update

Councillor Barry Rawlings, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Resources & Effective Council, introduced the update to the Annual Procurement Forward Plan (APFP) for 2024-25 to 2026-27. Cabinet approved the plan, which enables the commencement of procurement activity, subject to service confirmation of continued requirement, budget availability, and other constitutional approvals. Cath Shaw, Deputy Chief Executive, agreed to circulate a briefing on the Procurement Act 2023 to Cabinet Members.

Approval and Adoption of Barnet's Sustainable Drainage Strategy (SuDS) and Long-term Highways SuDS Programme

Councillor Alan Schneiderman, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, presented the proposed Barnet Sustainable Drainage Strategy (SuDS) and the long-term Highways SuDS programme. Cabinet noted the pending enactment of Schedule 3 to The Flood and Water Management Act 2010, which will introduce new responsibilities for the Council as a SuDS Approval Body (SAB). They approved the strategy and the highway SuDS programme, subject to a public consultation. The Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, in consultation with the Director of Highways and Transportation, was authorised to progress this consultation and consider responses before finalising and implementing the strategy.

Proposed Barnet Land Drainage Byelaws for Flood Risk Management

Councillor Alan Schneiderman introduced the report on proposed Barnet Land Drainage Byelaws. Cabinet noted the proposal to make these byelaws and approved the commencement of the stakeholder consultation process. Authority was delegated to the Director of Highways and Transportation, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, to progress the consultation and liaise with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and other regulatory bodies. The Leader was delegated authority to consider the consultation responses and any amendments before making recommendations to the Council on the adoption of the byelaws.

Oak Hill Bowls Club - Lease Renewal

Councillor Barry Rawlings introduced the report concerning the lease renewal for Oak Hill Bowls Club. Cabinet approved the grant of a 25-year lease at a peppercorn rent, with the club taking full responsibility for all maintenance and repair of the clubhouse, pavilion, and bowls greens. This decision rectifies an ambiguity in previous minutes and aligns with the intention of the Environment and Climate Change Committee in January 2017. Authority was delegated to the Head of Property and Portfolio Management to finalise the lease terms and prepare the necessary documentation.

Cabinet Forward Plan - Key Decision Schedule

Cabinet noted the Forward Plan – Key Decision Schedule.

Urgent Business (if any)

None.