Councillor Paul Edwards

Cabinet - Monday 3rd March, 2025 7.00 pm

The Cabinet noted the contents of the Our Plan for Barnet – Delivery and Outcomes Framework Quarter 3 (2024-25) report. It was decided that a separate food waste collection service using dedicated vehicles will be implemented. The Cabinet agreed to the proposed responses of two Task and Finish Group reports, one on youth homelessness and the other on elective home education. The Fit and Active Barnet Strategy and action plan was adopted for implementation from 1st April 2025 and the findings of the Additional Licensing Scheme 2022-2027 Year Two Review were noted. The Cabinet noted the contents of the Brent Cross Update report.

Cabinet - Tuesday 18th February, 2025 7.00 pm

The meeting began with a discussion of Barnet Council's financial position, which is facing a projected budget gap of up to £79 million. Councillors noted a consistent shortfall in savings delivery, with the council consistently achieving only around 85% of its savings targets. They also expressed concerns about the increasing number of pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), which is outstripping the overall pupil population growth and putting pressure on the council's budget. The council's low social housing stock was also highlighted as a contributing factor to the high costs of temporary accommodation. The impact of an ageing population on adult social care costs was also discussed.

Cabinet - Wednesday 5th February, 2025 7.00 pm

At this meeting the Cabinet agreed to refer the Barnet Local Plan 2021-2036 to Full Council for formal adoption on 04 March 2025, to approve a new Planning Obligations SPD, and to approve the capital expenditure budget for the Improving Barnet's Roads 2025/26 Programme. The cabinet also approved the Annual Procurement Forward Plan for 2025-26. They also noted three motions referred to them from the Full Council meeting of 28 January 2025.

Council - Tuesday 28th January, 2025 7.00 pm

The Council of Barnet Council met on Tuesday 28 January 2025. The meeting started with tributes to Councillor Eva Greenspan, and former Councillors Usha Chopra and Joe Lee who had all sadly passed away. The council then adopted the [Joint Report of the Monitoring Officer and Chief Finance Officer (section 151 Officer)][Council cover report 28 January 2025], which detailed unlawful payments that had been made to, and from the Barnet Pension Fund. The Council delegated to the Pension Fund and Governance, Audit, Risk Management and Standards Committees the task of establishing the best way to rectify these unlawful payments, and delegated authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Monitoring Officer and Chief Finance Officer, to put those steps into effect. The council also noted the appointment of Alexa, Alina, Zahra, and Shama from Copthall Girls School to speak about the 60th anniversary of the London Borough of Barnet.

Health & Wellbeing Board - Thursday 23rd January, 2025 9.30 am

The Health & Wellbeing Board noted the progress of work at the Graham Park Estate and accepted the draft Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy for the period 2025-2035, subject to a final round of public consultation. It also received a verbal update on communicable diseases.