Agenda and minutes

Venue: HENDON TOWN HALL, THE BURROUGHS, LONDON, NW4 4BQ

Contact: Abigail Lewis Email: abigail.lewis@barnet.gov.uk 020 8359 4369 

Note: Due to a technical error, we were unable to provide an audio recording for this meeting. 

Items
Note No. Item

1.

Apologies for absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Finn, Councillor Rajput, Councillor Sowerby, Councillor Stock, Councillor Weeden-Sanz, Councillor Simberg, Councillor Zubairi, Councillor Patel, Councillor Levine, Councillor Edwards, Councillor Conway, Councillor Coakley-Webb and Councillor Rozenberg.

2.

Elect a Member to preside if the Mayor is absent

Minutes:

The Worshipful the Mayor was present.

3.

Prayer

Minutes:

Reverend Nigel Taylor was called upon by the Worshipful the Mayor to speak to Council and say prayers.

4.

Declarations of Interest

Minutes:

None.

5.

Minutes of the last meeting pdf icon PDF 277 KB

Minutes:

The minutes of the Annual Council meeting held on the 25th May 2021 were agreed as a correct record.

6.

Any business remaining from last meeting (Agenda item 7)

Minutes:

None.

 

The Mayor announced a variation to the order of the agenda.  Agenda item 12.4 would be dealt with at item 7 with the remaining items then dealt with in the order of the published agenda.

 

7.

Referral from Policy & Resources Committee - Proposed Hendon Hub Redevelopment Full Business Case (Agenda item 12.4) pdf icon PDF 265 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Council noted that there was an associated exempt report.

 

Council noted the Historic England feedback and the Hendon Hub project team response which had been circulated as a supplement.

 

The Monitoring Officer reminded members that they should not vote on any item if they were predetermined, but they could vote if they had a predisposition but remained open minded.

 

Councillor Thomas, Chairman of Policy and Resources Committee and Leader of the Council, moved the reception and adoption of the recommendations in the report. Debate ensued.

 

On the recommendations in the report being put to the vote, the votes were recorded as follows:

 

For

31

Against

18

Abstain

1

Absent

13

Total

63

 

Following the vote being taken, a division was called in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 14.

The recorded votes were as follows:

 

COUNCILLOR

For

Against

Not voting

Absent

Golnar

Bokaei

X

 

 

 

Jess

Brayne

 

X

 

 

Felix

Byers

X

 

 

 

Anne

Clarke

 

X

 

 

Pauline

Coakley Webb

 

 

 

X

Dean

Cohen

X

 

 

 

Melvin

Cohen

X

 

 

 

Sara

Conway

 

 

 

X

Geof

Cooke

 

X

 

 

Richard

Cornelius

X

 

 

 

Val

Duschinsky

X

 

 

 

Paul

Edwards

 

 

 

X

Claire

Farrier

 

X

 

 

Anthony

Finn

 

 

 

X

Nizza

Fluss

 

X

 

 

Linda

Freedman

X

 

 

 

Eva

Greenspan

X

 

 

 

Jennifer

Grocock

X

 

 

 

Rohit

Grover

X

 

 

 

Lachhya

Gurung

X

 

 

 

John

Hart

X

 

 

 

Ross

Houston

 

X

 

 

Anne

Hutton

 

X

 

 

Laithe

Jajeh

X

 

 

 

Kathy

Levine

 

 

 

X

David

Longstaff

X

 

 

 

John

Marshall

X

 

 

 

Kath

McGuirk

 

X

 

 

Nick

Mearing-Smith

X

 

 

 

Arjun

Mittra

 

X

 

 

Alison

Moore

 

X

 

 

Ammar

Naqvi

 

X

 

 

Nagus

Narenthira

 

X

 

 

Charlie

O-Macauley

 

X

 

 

Reema

Patel

 

 

 

X

Alex

Prager

X

 

 

 

Wendy

Prentice

X

 

 

 

Sachin

Rajput

 

 

 

X

Barry

Rawlings

 

X

 

 

Danny

Rich

 

X

 

 

Nicole

Richer

X

 

 

 

Helene

Richman

X

 

 

 

Tim

Roberts

 

X

 

 

Gabriel

Rozenberg

 

 

 

X

Lisa

Rutter

X

 

 

 

Shimon

Ryde

X

 

 

 

Gill

Sargeant

 

X

 

 

Alan

Schneiderman

 

X

 

 

Mark

Shooter

X

 

 

 

Elliot

Simberg

 

 

 

X

Thomas

Smith

X

 

 

 

Stephen

Sowerby

 

 

 

X

Caroline

Stock

 

 

 

X

Julian

Teare

X

 

 

 

Daniel

Thomas

X

 

 

 

Reuben

Thompstone

X

 

 

 

Sarah

Wardle

X

 

 

 

Roberto

Weeden-Sanz

 

 

 

X

Laurie

Williams

 

X

 

 

Peter

Zinkin

X

 

 

 

Zakia

Zubairi

 

 

 

X

Deputy Mayor Saira

Don

X

 

 

 

Mayor Alison

Cornelius

X

 

 

 

 

TOTAL

31

19

0

13

 

 

 

 

 

RESOLVED that Council:

1.    Having, considered the consultation responses (Appendix 4) and the Equalities Impact Assessment (Appendix 3), Council approved the Full Business Case (FBC) for Hendon Hub as set out in Appendix 1.

 

2.    Approved, in principle, private financing for the development, in particular private placement relying on the Middlesex University (MDX) covenant.  That Council further approved in principle that, in the event that market conditions are such at the time of seeking final funding offers, meaning that it is not possible to secure a funding offer using the Middlesex University covenant consistent with the parameters set out in the business case, a London Borough of Barnet (LBB) guarantee is made available subject to suitable risk mitigation. 

 

3.    Approved the process of obtaining formal funding offers from the market, the decision on final structure of the deal, the final choice of funding partner(s) and the negotiation and completion of the legal agreements are all to be delegated to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.

Questions to the Leader (and Committee Chairmen if he/she has delegated) pdf icon PDF 486 KB

Minutes:

Answers to the questions submitted were provided as a supplementary paper to the agenda.

 

Supplementary questions were then asked and answered within the allotted time given for the item.

 

9.

Questions to Council Representatives on Outside Bodies

Minutes:

None.

10.

Petitions for Debate

Minutes:

None.

11.

Reports from the Leader

Minutes:

None.

12.

Reports from Committees

12.1

Referral from Audit Committee - Annual Report of the Audit Committee 2020-21 pdf icon PDF 257 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Grover, Chairman of the Audit Committee, moved the reception and adoption of the recommendations in the report. Debate ensued.

 

On the recommendations in the report being put to the vote, the votes were recorded as follows:

 

For

50

Against

0

Abstain

0

Absent

13

Total

63

 

RESOLVED that Council:

-       Noted and approved the Annual report of the Audit Committee for 2020-21 as an accurate record of the outcomes and work programme for the year.

12.2

Referral from Audit Committee - Code of Corporate Governance 2021-22 pdf icon PDF 262 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Grover, Chairman of the Audit Committee, moved the reception and adoption of the recommendations in the report. Debate ensued.

 

On the recommendations in the report being put to the vote, the votes were recorded as follows:

 

For

50

Against

0

Abstain

0

Absent

13

Total

63

 

RESOLVED that Council:

-       Noted and approved the Code of Corporate Governance 202122 as set out in Appendix 1, for incorporation into the Constitution.

12.3

Referral from Housing and Growth Committee - Approval of changes to temporary accommodation rents pdf icon PDF 266 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Richard Cornelius, Chairman of the Housing and Growth Committee, moved the reception and adoption of the recommendations in the report.  

 

On the recommendations in the report being put to the vote, the votes were recorded as follows:

 

For

50

Against

0

Abstain

0

Absent

13

Total

63

 

RESOLVED that Council:

-       Noted and approved the adjustment to increase temporary accommodation rents by 1.5% to take effect from the 13th September 2021.

7.45pm - 9.30pm

13.

Reports of Officers

7.45pm - 9.30pm

13.1

Reports of Officers pdf icon PDF 257 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Head of Governance introduced the report, outlining various constitutional and administrative matters for Council’s agreement. 

 

On recommendation 1 being put to the vote, the votes were recorded as follows:

 

For

49

Against

0

Abstain

0

Absent

14*

Total

63

 

On recommendation 2 being put to the vote, the votes were recorded as follows:

 

For

49

Against

0

Abstain

0

Absent

14*

Total

63

 

On recommendation 3 being put to the vote, the votes were recorded as follows:

 

For

49

Against

0

Abstain

0

Absent

14*

Total

63

 

RESOLVED that Council:

1)    Agreed the change to appointment of positions on the London Council’s Grant Committee.

2)    Agreed the change to membership of the Barnet Children’s Partnership Board.

3)    Noted the changes to the calendar of meetings.

 

*Councillor Smith left the room during the debate and voting on this item, he returned for item 15 onwards.

 

14.

Official announcements (Agenda item 6)

Minutes:

The Worshipful the Mayor congratulated the Royal Air Force Museum on behalf of the Council on being granted a Royal Charter by Her Majesty the Queen on the advice of Her Privy Council.This instrument of incorporation confers a new prestige on the Museum and implies confidence in the stability, permanence and pre-eminence of the Museum among its peers.

 

On behalf of the Council, the Worshipful the Mayor sent the Mayor of Pokhara in Nepal a get-well message, as he had recently been unwell. Pokhara is the most recent town to be twinned with Barnet.

 

The Worshipful the Mayor also sent heart-felt thoughts and condolences, on behalf of the Council, to the residents of Kreis Siegen in Germany, who had recently experienced flooding. Although the flooding had not been as catastrophic as in the neighbouring regions, the community had been affected by the tragic loss of life.

 

The Worshipful the Mayor had the sad task of informing the Council that Mr Charalambous Pittas, former Mayor of the Municipality of Morphu in Cyprus, passed away in May. Councillor Caroline Stock was Mayor at the time of his death and kindly sent a letter of condolence to his family on behalf of the Council.

 

Mr Pittas served as a Councillor for 25 years and was the longest serving Mayor of Morphou from 2001 to 2016. He was a great friend of the London Borough of Barnet and was passionately dedicated to the cause of a united Cyprus.

 

In 2008, Mr Pittas, together with the then Mayor of Barnet, Councillor John Marshall, and the Chairman of the Friends of Morphu, planted three trees at the opening of the newly named Morphou Road in Mill Hill. On each of his following visits he went to see how the trees were growing, whilst continuing to rally support in the United Kingdom and bring awareness about the plight of the people wanting to return to their ancestral homes in Morphou.

 

Many Councillors met him over the years either on his many visits to the Borough or on their visits to Morphu to support the Annual Rally.  The Worshipful the Mayor expressed the great loss he will be to his beloved family, the Municipality of Morphou and the much wider Cypriot community.

 

Councillor Rutter, Councillor Moore and Councillor Richard Cornelius said a few words in memory of Mr CharalambousPittas.

 

The Worshipful the Mayor informed Council that a letter of condolence had been sent to the family of Mrs Una O’Brien, nee Burns, who recently passed away. Una grew up in North Finchley and was Head Girl at St Michael’s Convent in Nether Street (now St Michael’s Roman Catholic School).

 

Her family were high achievers and her brother Kevin became Her Majesty’s Ambassador to several countries before retiring to Mill Hill.

After university, Una worked for the National Coal Board in a variety of management roles and it was here that she met, and subsequently married, Patrick O’Brien who had joined the company after completing his  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

15.

Motions (45 minutes) (Agenda item 14)

15.1

Administration motion in the name of Councillor Daniel Thomas - Barnet Council's Submission to the Parliamentary Boundary Review (Agenda item 14.1) pdf icon PDF 611 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Thomas moved the motion in his name. Councillor Cooke moved an amendment in his name. Debate ensued.

 

Votes on the amendment in the name of Councillor Cooke were recorded as follows:

 

For

17

Against

33

Abstain

0

Absent

13

Total

63

 

The amendment in the name of Councillor Cooke was declared LOST.

 

Votes on the substantive motion in the name of Councillor Thomas were recorded as follows:

 

For

32

Against

18

Abstain

0

Absent

13

Total

63

 

RESOLVED that:

 

Council noted that:

1.       Therearecurrentlythree Parliamentaryconstituencies in Barnet: Chipping Barnet, Finchley and GoldersGreen, andHendon. Each of these constituencies is entirelywithin the London Boroughof Barnet.

 

2.       TheBoundaryCommissionfor England has recently submitted its initialproposalsfor Parliamentary constituencies across England.

a.       As theystand,these proposals would create sweeping changes to boundarieswithinBarnet.

 

3.       Theinitial proposals call forfive constituencies tocover the London Boroughof Barnet. All but oneof these, High Barnet andMill Hill, would include areasfrom otherLondonboroughs:

a.       Finchleyand MuswellHillwould includeHaringey

b.      Hendon andGolders Green would include Brent

c.       SouthgateandBarnetEastwould include Enfield

d.      Stanmoreand Edgwarewould includeHarrow

 

Council believes that:

 

1.       Having fiveMembersof Parliamentcoveringareas ofBarnet, andfourother boroughs,wouldbe impractical.

 

2.       Theseproposals innowaytake into considerationthecommunities,transport infrastructure or local linksin the area.

a.       Forinstance,themain public transport routes across Barnet runNorth-South,whichis howour communitiesare connected. Therefore:

i.      GoldersGreenhas far more in common with Finchley thanwith Kingsbury

ii.      FinchleyChurch End hasmore in common with ChildsHill thanwith MuswellHill

iii.      Brunswick Park has far better connections to Totteridge & Whetstone thanto PalmersGreen

iv.      BurntOaksharesmorecommunaland transport connections withColindalethan with Stanmore.

 

3.       An approach that ensures that local communities andconnections are preserved,while containing fewerthan 77,062electors; the maximumnumber theCommission says that anyconstituencyshouldhave,shouldbe sought.

 

a.       This couldbe done whilemaintaining thevast majorityof Barnet wardswithin threeconstituenciesof Chipping Barnet, Finchley and GoldersGreen, and Hendon. To dothis, the wardscould beseparated as below:

 

i.      Chipping Barnetwould contain thewards of: Edgwarebury, High Barnet,Underhill, Barnet Vale,EastBarnet, Brunswick Park,Whetstone,Totteridgeand Woodside

ii.      Finchleyand GoldersGreen would containthe wardsof: Cricklewood,ChildsHill, East Finchley, FinchleyChurch End, Garden Suburb, Golders Green, WestFinchley,Woodhouse

iii.      Hendon would contain thewards of:Colindale South, Colindale North, Burnt Oak, Edgware,Mill Hill, Hendon, WestHendon.

 

b.      A fourth constituency, Hornsey and Friern Barnet could then straddleBarnetand Haringey, with theFriern Barnet ward sitting inside a constituencyotherwisemadeup of those solely in Haringey.Thiswould be the only Barnet ward that would bewithin a constituency that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.1

15.2

Opposition motion in the name of Councillor Sara Conway - Community Safety (Agenda item 14.2) pdf icon PDF 312 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Rawlings moved the motion and an amendment in his name. Councillor Grocock moved an amendment in his name. Debate ensued.

 

Votes on the amendment in the name of Councillor Rawlings were recorded as follows:

 

For

17

Against

31

Abstain

1

Absent

14*

Total

63

 

The amendment in the name of Councillor Rawlings was declared LOST.

 

Votes on the amendment in the name of Councillor Grocock were recorded as follows:

 

For

31

Against

18

Abstain

0

Absent

14*

Total

63

 

Votes on the motion as amended by Councillor Grocock were recorded as follows:

 

For

31

Against

18

Abstain

0

Absent

14*

Total

63

 

*Cllr Marshall left the meeting before discussion and voting on this item took place and did not return.

 

RESOLVED that:

 

Council acknowledged that:

Following a spate of violent crimes and anti-social behaviour across Barnet, our community safety team and other officers are doing all that they can to support the police to improve community safety in the borough.

 

Council resolved to:

Call on the mayor to give Barnet its fair share of police officers and robustly tackle violent crime across London, including our borough.

 

15.3

Administration motion in the name of Councillor David Longstaff - Protecting Children in Diplomatic Families (Agenda item 14.3) pdf icon PDF 458 KB

Minutes:

Votes on the motion in the name of Councillor Longstaff were recorded as follows:

 

For

49

Against

0

Abstain

0

Absent

14

Total

63

 

 

RESOLVED that:

 

Council noted:

 

1. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child states that “States Parties shall take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation”.

 

2. The Director of Children's Services (DCS) is responsible for securing the provision of services which address the needs of all children and young people, including the most disadvantaged and vulnerable, and their families and carers.

 

3. 196 of 197 UN Member States are States Parties to the Convention. All 197 Member States have signed the Convention.

 

4. The law on diplomatic immunity and its effect on parents and the children of diplomatic staff is complex.

 

5. Barnet Council was recently involved in a case involving child abuse and a diplomatic family.

 

6. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has a key role in resolving issues around safeguarding the children of diplomatic staff.

 

Council believes:

 

1. Every child should grow up free from abuse.

 

2. There should be an international review of child protection and diplomatic immunity, that seeks consensus on the paramount importance of the protection of children.

 

3. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) should support all Local Authorities in carrying out their statutory duties to protect children.

 

Council resolved to:

 

1. Urge the FCDO to support Barnet Council and all other Local Authorities in carrying out our statutory duties to protect all children of diplomatic families, by way of having a clear protocol for how they will work with a local authority in circumstances where there are concerns about the welfare of those children.

 

2. Call on the Government to lead an international review of child protection and diplomatic immunity.

 

15.4

Opposition motion in the name of Councillor Barry Rawlings - Ending street harassment of women and girls (Agenda item 14.4) pdf icon PDF 331 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Votes on the amendment in the name of Councillor Thompstone were recorded as follows:

 

For

31

Against

0

Abstain

18

Absent

14

Total

63

 

Votes on the amendment in the name of Councillor Conway were recorded as follows:

 

For

18

Against

31

Abstain

0

Absent

14

Total

63

 

Votes on the motion as amended by Councillor Thompstone were recorded as follows:

 

For

49

Against

0

Abstain

0

Absent

14

Total

63

 

RESOLVED that:

 

Council noted:

 

1. Most, if not all, women and girls have experienced street harassment at some point in their lives.

 

2. Barnet has had a strategy to combat violence against women and girls (VAWG) since 2017. The Council is currently consulting on a refreshed VAWG strategy, to run from this year through to 2024.

 

3. The VAWG strategy seeks to, among other things, fight domestic abuse and street harassment of women and girls.

 

4. There has been a recent post on a local online neighbourhood forum, highlighting the harassment that one woman’s daughters have faced – examples of this widespread issue. In this post, the resident highlighted:

a. The harassment of a 15-year-old girl in school uniform, prior to boarding a bus, which she was then followed onto by the person harassing her.

b. The continued harassment and intimidation of a 17-year-old girl by a middle-aged man at a public transport station, despite pleas to cease.

 

5. Violence against women, including harassment, is a criminal offence

 

Council believes:

 

1. The harassment of women and girls is despicable and has no place in society: in Barnet, Britain or around the world

 

2. Women and girls should feel safe, whether they are at home or walking down a street.

 

Council resolved to:

 

1. Publish a new VAWG strategy to support the Council in continuing to combat street harassment and all forms of violence and harassment against women and girls

 

2. Ask relevant Council committees to consider what more can be done within their powers to end street harassment of women and girls.

 

3. Continue supporting the Metropolitan Police wherever possible in charging those who are violent towards, or harass, women and girls.

 

15.5

Opposition motion in the name of Councillor Ross Houston - Planning Reforms (Agenda item 14.5) pdf icon PDF 312 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Votes on the amendment in the name of Councillor Roberts were recorded as follows:

 

For

18

Against

31

Abstain

0

Absent

14

Total

63

 

The amendment in the name of Councillor Roberts was declared LOST.

 

Votes on the substantive motion in the name of Councillor Houston were recorded as follows:

 

For

49

Against

0

Abstain

0

Absent

14

Total

63

 

RESOLVED that Council:

 

Believes planning works best when developers and the local community work together to shape local areas and deliver necessary new homes; and therefore, calls on the Government to protect the right of communities to object to individual planning applications.

 

15.6

Opposition motion in the name of Councillor Anne Clarke - End our cladding scandal (Agenda item 14.6) pdf icon PDF 325 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Votes on the amendment in the name of Councillor Richard Cornelius were recorded as follows:

 

For

31

Against

0

Abstain

18

Absent

14

Total

63

 

The amendment in the name of Councillor Cornelius was CARRIED.

 

Votes on the amendment in the name of Councillor Narenthira were recorded as follows:

 

For

18

Against

31

Abstain

0

Absent

14

Total

63

 

The amendment in the name of Councillor Narenthira was LOST .

 

Votes on the motion as amended by Councillor Richard Cornelius were recorded as follows:

 

For

31

Against

0

Abstain

18

Absent

14

Total

63

 

RESOLVED that:

 

Council noted that:

 

1.    In January, Council supported a motion proposed by the Conservative Group to support Inside Housing’s 10-point campaign to #EndOurCladdingScandal.

 

2.    The government has since published its Building Safety Bill

 

Council believes:

 

1. People should feel safe in their own homes, and it is unacceptable for any people to live in homes that are dangerously clad.

 

2. Residents who bought new-build flats should not have to pay for remedial works to address cladding safety.

 

Council resolved to:

 

1. Request that officers prepare a report on the new legislation’s impact on buildings in the borough for the relevant committee.

 

15.7

Opposition motion in the name of Councillor Arjun Mittra - Congratulations to England's football team (Agenda item 14.7) pdf icon PDF 331 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Votes on the amendment in the name of Councillor Thomas were recorded as follows:

 

For

31

Against

18

Abstain

0

Absent

14

Total

63

 

The amendment in the name of Councillor Thomas was therefore CARRIED.

 

Votes on the motion as amended by Councillor Thomas were recorded as follows:

 

For

31

Against

18

Abstain

0

Absent

14

Total

63

 

RESOLVED that:

 

Council recognised that:

 

1. Gareth Southgate and the England men’s football team on their historic success in the recently concluded UEFA Euro 2020 competition in reaching the final at Wembley.

 

2. Residents of Barnet, and indeed the entire country, were united in support of a team that has displayed a strong set of values and skill that demonstrated by the team time and time again throughout the competition.

 

3. While football is not yet coming home, it certainly came very close.

 

4. On the week following the finals, the Leader of the Council released a statement which included the following quote, condemning the online racist abuse that followed the Euro 2020 final:

 We in Barnet stand united, proud of what our hugely talented, diverse national football team achieved in Euro 2020. The whole team are inspiring role models to millions of young people across the country, and they deserve to be lauded for what they accomplished. The shocking racism and hate speech in the wake of Sunday’s final has no place in our society. I’m also proud of the staunch anti-racist stance we take in this borough and condemn the vile and cowardly incidents targeting some members of our communities that are being brought to our attention. We will work with the Metropolitan police to ensure all reported cases of racial abuse are investigated and culprits are held accountable”.

 

Council resolved to:

1. Support and reiterate the Leaders Statement regarding the Euros, condemning racism and division, celebrating and congratulating the England team on their incredible success.

 

15.8

Opposition motion in the name of Councillor Alan Schneiderman - Climate change (Agenda item 14.8) pdf icon PDF 320 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Votes on the amendment in the name of Councillor Dean Cohen were recorded as follows:

 

For

31

Against

0

Abstain

18

Absent

14

Total

63

 

The amendment in the name of Councillor Dean Cohen was declared CARRIED.

 

Votes on the amendment in the name of Councillor Cooke were recorded as follows:

 

For

18

Against

31

Abstain

0

Absent

14

Total

63

 

The amendment in the name of Councillor Cooke was declared LOST.

 

Votes on the motion as amended by Councillor Dean Cohen were recorded as follows:

 

For

49

Against

0

Abstain

0

Absent

14

Total

63

 

RESOLVED that:

 

Council noted:

1. On 29 October 2019, Council agreed a motion asking each relevant Committee to consider the Friends of the Earth report for Barnet on tackling climate change and review what more could be done in their remit to tackle climate change

 

2. On the 30 July 2019 Council agreed the motion “Climate Emergency Motion”. This motion was unanimously supported by Members of the Conservative Group. It was unanimously opposed by the Labour Group

 

3. It was recognised in the “Climate Emergency Motion” that “Parliament has agreed a motion declaring an environment and climate emergency” and that “the same environmental challenges that are faced by the UK are also faced in Barnet”

 

4. It was also recognised in that motion that “Barnet’s commitment to remain a green and pleasant borough goes hand-in-hand with the Council’s commitment to fighting climate change and pollution. Barnet remains the borough with the sixth most green space, and has invested in a strategy to ensure that it remains both literally and figuratively a green borough”.

 

5. Barnet has since taken a series of actions, including producing a long-term transport plan, a new corporate plan to 2025, an air quality plan and is working on a new sustainability plan. The actions that will come out of these plans with ensure that keeping Barnet green is at the heart of everything that the Council does. Barnet welcomes the contribution that Friends of the Earth makes to environmental strategy in the borough.

 

Council believes:

1. Barnet Council and residents are committed to fighting the challenges of climate change. For instance, the Council not only has an award-winning tree planting campaign, but more Barnet residents own electric vehicles for private use than those in any other London borough or local authority area in the country. Barnet is supporting this growth with an extensive program of supplying electric charge points through lamppost chargers, community hubs and rapid charge units.

 

 2. LB Barnet recognises that it can and should do more and is committed to doing so.

 

Council resolved to:

 

1. Continue its work in producing a sustainability strategy, which will consider – among other things - the implications of Government policy and targets regarding climate change for Barnet Council and its committees.

 

 

16.

Motions for Adjournment (Agenda item 15)

Minutes:

None.