Councillor Sara Conway

Cabinet - Monday 7th April, 2025 7.00 pm

The Barnet Council Cabinet met to discuss a range of issues, including highways, community participation, kinship care, parking enforcement and housing. Decisions were made on the highway network, community participation, the kinship care offer, and the parking enforcement contract. Consideration of the draft Statement of Community Involvement and the 20 mph zone policy were deferred.

Safer Communities Partnership Board - Friday 7th March, 2025 10.00 am

The Safer Communities Partnership Board noted updates on crime rates in Barnet, the work of the multi-agency partnership to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour, and the progress of the Violence Reduction Plan. The partnership will continue to develop new strategies and interventions to address issues raised in the meeting.

Budget Council, Council - Tuesday 4th March, 2025 7.00 pm

The Council agreed to adopt the new Local Plan, approved the 2025/26 budget and the associated 4.98% rise in Council Tax, and appointed Cath Shaw as the new Chief Executive.

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.