Councillor Ross Houston

Cabinet - Tuesday 17th September, 2024 7.00 pm, NEW

The meeting began with a discussion on the council's financial position. Councillor Peter Zinkin raised concerns about the council's finances, referring to an in-year recovery plan that he said had appeared out of nowhere . Councillor Ammar Naqvi, Cabinet Member for Financial Sustainability and Reducing Poverty, responded to Councillor Zinkin's concerns. He stated that the plan had come about as a result of extensive discussions with officers and cabinet members over the course of August, where in quite excruciating detail, disgust [sic] why spend was happening at all . He added that the council is committed to dealing with its finances responsibly and would soon be able to present a fully costed recovery plan. Councillor Zingavala also raised concerns about the council's HMO licensing scheme. He argued that the council seemed to be more interested in making money from the scheme than ensuring that the quality of HMO accommodation is good. Councillor Geofree Perrin, Cabinet Member for Housing, Economy and Placemaking, responded that this is not the case. He explained that the council has to ensure that the scheme covers its costs, but that the team also provides a valuable service to landlords and tenants by ensuring that shared accommodation is safe and well-managed.

Employment Sub-Committee - Friday 30th August, 2024 1.00 pm

The Employment Sub-Committee met to discuss the appointment of a new Executive Director - Growth. Following a discussion of the candidates in a closed session, the committee voted to appoint Naisha Polaine to the role.

Cabinet - Tuesday 16th July, 2024 7.00 pm

The Cabinet noted the end of year performance for the Our Plan for Barnet 2023-2026[https://barnet.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s76605/Barnet%20Corporate%20Plan%202023-26.pdf], approved the final revenue and capital outturn for 2023/24, and agreed the approach and process for setting a balanced budget for 2025/26 and the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) to 2030. They approved the Modern Slavery Strategy (2024-2027), approved the Draft Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document for public consultation, noted the complaints performance and service improvement report for 2023/24 and approved the Housing Ombudsman Complaint Handling Code Self-Assessment 2024, approved the grant of a renewal lease to Arts Depot Ltd for a term of 50 years at a peppercorn rent, approved the updated Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy Policy, and agreed to retain Barnet Homes and commence a review of the Management Agreement.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Wednesday 10th July, 2024 6.00 pm

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee met and discussed the future of the Barnet Council's North London Business Park (NLBP) project in light of rising construction costs, and the possible use of Community Infrastructure Levy [^2] receipts to support the project. The Committee also considered a report on the recent decision to sell land at Pinkham Way, and asked officers to provide a further report exploring possibilities for affordable workspace provision on the site.

Council - Tuesday 9th July, 2024 7.00 pm

Barnet Council met to discuss a range of issues including highways licensing fees, the capital strategy for 2024-2025, and the work programme for the Overview and Scrutiny committee. The council voted to increase a range of highways licensing fees, to note the updated capital strategy, and to note the Overview and Scrutiny annual report and work programme.