Councillor Richard Barnes

Licensing Sub-Committee - Thursday 5th December, 2024 2.30 pm

The Licensing Sub-Committee of Barnet Council met on 05 December 2024 and approved an application for a new premises licence for the sale of alcohol for consumption on and off the premises at 1 & 1A Sussex Ring in Woodside Park. The licence was granted to Philippe Conticini UK Limited, with the sale of alcohol permitted between 10am and 8pm, seven days a week. The sub-committee approved the application despite receiving representations from local people, on the grounds that the concerns of residents were not supported by evidence from the police or any other responsible authorities.

Adults and Health Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee - Thursday 21st November, 2024 7.00 pm

This meeting of the Adults Health and Overview and Scrutiny Subcommittee was a themed meeting about Public Health. There were detailed discussions and a presentation on the Public Health Grant, the state of adult social care in the borough, the Barnet Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report 2023-24, and the Adult Social Care Annual Complaints Report. The committee also received a verbal update on the Discharge to Assess Task and Finish Group Report, and received a presentation and update on the Public Health Work Plan and the renewal of the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy. The committee noted all of the reports it received.

Planning Committee - Wednesday 20th November, 2024 7.00 pm

The meeting considered four planning applications. The committee voted to grant planning permission for all of the applications with the exception of 112D Park Road, Barnet, which was deferred to allow for additional objections and conditions to be made.

Strategic Planning Committee - Wednesday 13th November, 2024 7.00 pm

The committee voted unanimously to grant planning permission to Astir Brent Cross West Limited for the demolition of the existing buildings at Unit 7, Staples Corner Retail Park and erect a 28 storey building in its place. The permission is subject to a Section 106 Agreement being completed within 3 months and several planning conditions being met, and will also be referred to the Mayor of London.

Licensing and General Purposes Committee - Thursday 7th November, 2024 7.00 pm

The Licensing and General Purposes Committee approved a revised Licensing Policy [^1] for the period 2025 to 2030, and recommended that it be adopted at the next full meeting of the council. The committee noted that public consultation had taken place and that 24 responses had been received. Concerns were raised about a perceived increase in male-dominated cafés, with members citing businesses such as the Toscana, Cafe 01, Tirana, and Pizreni on Vivian Avenue in Hendon. Some respondents believed these venues were intimidating to women, with one resident stating: