The Cabinet of Barnet Council met on Tuesday 08 October 2024 to discuss a range of important issues, including the adoption of a new syllabus for Religious Education, updates on the Brent Cross regeneration project, and the disposal of a property in West Hendon. Decisions were also made regarding fees and charges, and reports from task and finish groups on elective home education and youth homelessness were considered.

Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education

Cabinet approved the Barnet Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education (RE) for 2025-2030. This new syllabus marks a significant shift by establishing RE as a religion and worldviews evolutionary subject for the first time. Developed by Barnet's Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE), the syllabus is based on the six Big Questions proposed by academic Professor Ann Taves, aiming to encourage pupils to explore what it means to be human and their place in a diverse, multi-religious, and multi-secular world. The syllabus will be submitted to the Department for Education for formal agreement and will be shared with schools in November 2024 for trialling before full implementation in September 2025.

Brent Cross Update Report

An update was provided on the Brent Cross Cricklewood Regeneration Programme. Key highlights included residents moving into the first new homes on Plots 53 and 54, the commencement of demolition on the Whitefield Estate, and the exchange of contracts for student housing and co-living developments. Progress on the Brent Cross West Station was also noted, with increasing passenger numbers and ongoing negotiations for station contracts. The report also detailed the demolition of the Whitefield Estate low-rise buildings and updates on the Claremont Road safety improvements.

Disposal of 213 West Hendon Broadway

Cabinet approved the conditional sale of 213 West Hendon Broadway to Barratt Metropolitan Limited Liability Partnership (BMLLP). This sale is contingent on Barratt's acquisition of the adjoining property, 215 West Hendon Broadway, from Central London Community Healthcare (CLCH). As part of the deal, Barratt will construct a new GP surgery for CLCH. The disposal will facilitate the development of Blocks G3, G5, and G6 within the West Hendon regeneration scheme, delivering 112 affordable homes. The current tenant, DAS Automotives, has been informed of the proposed sale.

Fees and Charges - Chief Finance Officer Report

Cabinet noted the proposed executive and non-executive fees and charges for 2025/26. Authority was delegated for the approval of executive fees and charges, subject to consultation responses and equality impact assessments. Cabinet recommended the proposed fees and charges to Full Council for non-executive charges, with a delegation to the Chief Finance Officer for their approval. Officers were authorised to consult on proposals for executive fees and charges, future parking charges, and certain Adult Social Care fees and charges.

Consideration of Reports from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Cabinet considered two reports from Task and Finish Groups:

• Elective Home Education Task and Finish Group Report: Cabinet noted the report and its recommendations, requesting officers to prepare a further report with full legal, financial, and other comments for future consideration.
• Youth Homelessness Task and Finish Group Report: Cabinet noted the report and its recommendations, also requesting officers to prepare a further report for future consideration.

Corporate Parenting Annual Reports

Cabinet noted the contents of the Corporate Parenting Annual Reports and agreed that the reports be referred to Council for noting. This aims to ensure an understanding of the Council's statutory role as corporate parents and to highlight progress and challenges in services for children in care and care-experienced young adults.

Brent Cross Update Report (Public)

Cabinet noted the contents of the Brent Cross Update Report. Authority was delegated to the Director for Housing, Economy and Placemaking to negotiate terms for the acquisition of Transport for London (TfL) and Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd (NRIL) land required for the scheme.

Cabinet Forward Plan - Key Decision Schedule

Cabinet noted the Cabinet Forward Plan - Key Decision Schedule.