Councillor Dean Cohen BSc (Hons)

Budget Scrutiny, Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Thursday 11th December, 2025 7.00 pm

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to meet to discuss the council's medium-term financial strategy, receive updates from task and finish groups, and review the committee's work programme. The committee is also expected to review the cabinet forward plan to identify potential topics for pre-decision scrutiny.

Extraordinary Council, Council - Tuesday 2nd December, 2025 7.00 pm

The London Borough of Barnet Council held an extraordinary meeting to discuss a motion regarding secrecy and failures in corporate parenting following the deaths of three care-experienced young people. The council voted against an amendment to the motion, and then voted to approve an amended version of the motion. The approved motion included a commitment to inform all corporate parents immediately of any event involving looked-after young persons which may reasonably be expected to require an inquest, and that reviews will always take place following such inquests for all care experienced young people where the death is not linked to natural causes.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Thursday 13th November, 2025 7.00 pm

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Barnet Council met on 13 November 2025, to discuss several key issues including a new Parks and Open Spaces Strategy, temporary accommodation pressures, and the council's financial forecast. The committee made recommendations to the cabinet regarding the consultation period for the Parks and Open Spaces Strategy, and requested more detailed information on the action plan. The committee also stressed the need for increased lobbying of central government to address temporary accommodation costs, and requested a review of the council's approach to recovering debt.

Council - Tuesday 21st October, 2025 7.00 pm

The Barnet Council meeting on 21 October 2025 included tributes to former councillors Vanessa Gearson and Agnes Slocum, a discussion on high streets resulting in a decision to provide a written response to a deputation, and a discussion on public engagement in major developments, also resulting in a decision to provide a written report. The council also unanimously carried a joint motion condemning the Yom Kippur terrorist attack in Manchester.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Thursday 11th September, 2025 7.00 pm

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss several key issues, including domestic abuse strategy, community safety, waste management, and the Capita contract. The committee agreed to recommend that ward councillors are included in appropriate meetings regarding safety concerns in their ward, with an emphasis on dialogue. They also requested clarification on wording in the household recycling and waste policies, and that pensions are specifically considered in decisions about the Capita contract.