The Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Barnet Council met on Wednesday 21 January 2026 to discuss a range of important issues, including the significant increase in long-term empty homes in the borough, the council's approach to managing its estates and supporting the voluntary and community sector, and updates on various task and finish groups. Key decisions made included noting the concerning rise in empty properties and agreeing to explore further analysis to bring more homes back into use, as well as a commitment to reviewing the council's engagement with voluntary organisations to ensure transparency and effectiveness.

Empty Homes in Barnet

The committee received a detailed report on the concerning rise in empty homes across Barnet, with a particular focus on long-term empty properties. It was noted that Barnet has the highest total number of empty homes in London, with a 57% increase in long-term empty properties in the past year, now accounting for over 2% of the borough's housing stock. While the introduction of a Second Homes premium has seen a 35% reduction in properties classified as second homes, the overall number of empty properties remains a significant concern.

The report highlighted that empty properties are spread across the borough, with hotspots linked to regeneration activity, new build developments, and areas with a high incidence of rental properties. The council's current approach involves reactive work by Housing Regulatory Services to address complaints and promote Empty Property Grants, alongside exploring the use of Empty Dwelling Management Orders (EDMOs). Planning Enforcement also plays a role in addressing properties that detrimentally affect local amenity.

A review of council-owned properties identified that a significant portion of long-term empty council properties were either demolished, uninhabitable, awaiting demolition for regeneration, or had already been let. However, 14 properties remained outstanding, with some being considered for disposal and others undergoing repairs or design reviews.

The committee discussed the limitations of current resources, with only 0.5 FTE dedicated to tackling long-term empty properties. It was noted that an additional officer, funded through the capitalisation of the existing empty property grant budget, would significantly increase the capacity for surveys, owner engagement, and grant promotion. The report also highlighted the potential for increased direct action by the Planning Enforcement Team, with an estimated cost of £50,000 to address at least 25 properties, which could put pressure on owners to bring them back into use.

Decisions Made:

• The committee noted the high level of empty dwellings in Barnet, particularly the 57% increase in long-term empty homes over the past 12 months.
• The committee welcomed the impact of the Second Homes premium, which had reduced the number of properties classed as Second Homes by 35%.
• The committee noted the updates on the council's current approach to long-term empty properties and confirmed current priorities, acknowledging that further work is subject to resource availability.
• The committee noted that an additional Housing Enforcement Officer would be funded through the capitalisation of the empty property grant budget.
• The committee recommended that Cabinet identify appropriate resources for more direct action by the Planning Enforcement Team.
• The committee recommended that the Lead Member for Housing and Regeneration write to the Minister of State for Housing to request the reinstatement of funding for surveying empty properties and for grant funding or incentives to tackle the increasing incidence of empty properties.
• The committee requested officers to undertake further analysis to identify opportunities to bring additional empty properties into use, focusing on those that could meet the highest areas of identified need, including temporary accommodation and homelessness avoidance.
• The committee requested officers to review collection strategies and develop options to maximise payment compliance with the additional council tax rate for empty properties.

Estates and the Voluntary and Community Sector

The committee received an update on the council's approach to managing its estates and supporting the voluntary and community sector (VCS). The Estates Service operates on a formal landlord-tenant relationship with VCS tenants, with lease negotiations managed by qualified Chartered Surveyors to ensure compliance with council policies and statutory obligations.

Engagement is further supported by the Community Asset Panel, comprising representatives from Estates, Community Participation, and elected members. This panel oversees asset allocation, rent discounts, and the Social Value Matrix, which quantures the social benefits delivered by VCS organisations. The new approach, approved in December 2024, replaced the external Community Benefit Assessment Tool (CBAT) with a new Community Asset Matrix and panel to enhance transparency and fairness. This new system also introduced service charges for new leases to contribute to property maintenance.

The Community Participation Team works closely with VCS groups, acting as a liaison and advocate, and helps to calculate and evidence the social value delivered. This partnership aims to balance financial considerations with the wider benefits to residents and the borough.

Decisions Made:

• The committee noted the update on how the Estates Team and Community Participation Team work with the Voluntary and Community Sector.
• The committee considered the report and identified no areas requiring in-depth scrutiny or referral to Cabinet at this time.

Task and Finish Group Updates

Fiona Rae, Overview and Scrutiny Manager, provided an update on the progress of various Task and Finish Groups. It was noted that the Fast Food Task and Finish Group would be postponed due to limited regulatory avenues and resources, with a recommendation to reconsider it in future years. The committee also received updates on Cabinet responses to previous Task and Finish Group reports, including those on Primary Care (GP) Access, Allotment Governance and Management, and Food Security.

Due to the upcoming local elections and Cabinet meeting schedules, the committee agreed to allow Task and Finish Group reports to be circulated and agreed by email up to May 2026, with formal reporting to the next available committee meeting.

Decisions Made:

• The committee noted the progress of the Task and Finish Groups.
• The committee noted the Cabinet Responses to the Primary Care (GP) Access Task and Finish Group, Allotment Governance and Management Task and Finish Group, and Food Security Task and Finish Group.
• The committee noted the progress update in relation to the Barnet Highway Network Task and Finish Group.
• The committee agreed to postpone the Fast Food Task and Finish Group to be considered as part of the Overview and Scrutiny work programming in future years.
• The committee agreed that Task and Finish Group reports could be circulated and agreed by email up to May 2026 if required, with the reports later reported to the next available Committee meeting to note.

Cabinet Forward Plan (Key Decision Schedule)

The committee reviewed the Cabinet Forward Plan, noting upcoming key decisions. A report on the Capita Contract Review was discussed, with the committee agreeing to consider it at an informal online meeting in February 2026. A briefing on the Sustainable Design and Development Guidance Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) was circulated, and the committee agreed that a formal report was not necessary. The committee also noted that an update to the Council Tax Discretionary Relief Policy would be considered by Cabinet in February 2026, and confirmed no pre-decision scrutiny was required for this item.

Decisions Made:

• The committee noted the Cabinet Forward Plan.
• The committee agreed to consider the report on the Capita Contract Review at an informal, online meeting in February 2026.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme

The committee reviewed its Work Programme for 2025-26. It was agreed that the final budget report would be considered at an informal online meeting in February 2026, with any final comments to be reported to Cabinet. A request to review the process for Tree Preservation Order (TPO) enforcements was agreed to be added to the list of scrutiny work programme suggestions for 2026-27.

Decisions Made:

• The committee noted the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme.
• The committee agreed to consider the reports on the Review of Business Planning 2026-2031 Medium Term Financial Strategy and 2025-26 Budget Management and the Capita Contract Review at an informal, online meeting in February 2026.
• The committee agreed that the request to review the process for Tree Preservation Order (TPO) enforcements be added to the list of scrutiny work programme suggestions for 2026-27.