The Cabinet of Barnet Council met on Tuesday 09 December 2025 to discuss a range of important issues, including the council's financial strategy, road maintenance, housing acquisition, and contract compliance. Key decisions made included the approval of the 2026-27 road and pavement improvement programme, the acquisition of 38 affordable homes, and an increase in the contract value for fire safety services.

Business Planning 2026-2031 (Medium Term Financial Strategy) and 2025/26 Budget Management

The Cabinet noted the council's refreshed Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for 2026-2031 and the budget management for 2025/26. Councillor Simon Radford, Cabinet Member for Financial Sustainability, presented the report, highlighting that support from central government is likely to be required to set a balanced budget in 2026/27. The MTFS assumes no immediate impact from Business Rates reforms or the Fair Funding Reforms until final figures are available. The Cabinet agreed to consult on raising General Council Tax by 2.98% and applying a 2.00% Social Care Precept in 2026/27 to address pressures in social care. The council's budget consultation is set to launch in the week beginning 15th December 2025.

Our Plan for Barnet - Delivery and Outcomes Framework, Quarter 2 (Q2) 2025-26

Councillor Barry Rawlings, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Strategic Partnerships, Economy and Effective Council, presented the Q2 2025-26 report on Our Plan for Barnet – Delivery and Outcomes Framework . The Cabinet noted the contents of the report, which provides an update on the progress made against the council's priorities. The report indicated that out of 76 indicators with a baseline, 36 had improved, 17 remained the same, and 23 had worsened in Q2. Benchmarking data showed that Barnet was performing well compared to other London Boroughs and nationally, with 26 out of 30 indicators performing better than or in line with peers.

Improving Barnet Roads and Pavements (IBRP) Programme 2026-27

Councillor Alan Schneiderman, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, presented the report seeking approval for the 2026-27 programme for improving Barnet's roads and pavements. The Cabinet approved a capital expenditure of £15.52 million for the delivery of the work programme, which includes carriageway and footway resurfacing and patching, drainage, structures, and other highway assets. Authority was delegated to the Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, in consultation with the Director of Highways and Transportation, to approve additional schemes and utilise retained funding for urgent reactive maintenance. The programme aims to maintain the highway network, promote active travel, and reduce carbon emissions from highway maintenance.

Acquisition of 38 Homes from Chase Homes

Councillor Ross Houston, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Homes and Regeneration, presented the report on the acquisition of 38 affordable homes at the Donoghue Business Park site from Chase New Homes. The Cabinet approved the acquisition on the terms set out in the business case and approved the addition of this capital project to the HRA Capital Programme. This acquisition is intended to increase the supply of affordable homes in the borough, contribute to the Temporary Accommodation Reduction Plan, and provide cost avoidance benefits. Notably, 10 of the 38 homes will be wheelchair accessible.

Contract Compliance with Lee Fire and Security Ltd

Councillor Barry Rawlings presented the report concerning contract compliance with Lee Fire and Security Ltd. The Cabinet approved an increase in the contract value to a total of £2,000,000 for fire safety inspections, remediation works, reactive callouts, and project works. They also ratified payments totalling £771,966 that had exceeded the existing contract value. This action was necessary due to unforeseen critical fire safety works identified across the corporate estate, and the increase in contract value aims to ensure continued delivery of essential life safety services until the contract expiry in June 2027.

Cabinet Forward Plan - Key Decision Schedule

The Cabinet noted the Forward Plan – Key Decision Schedule.

The meeting concluded without any urgent business or the need to enter into exempt sections.