Council decisions

The Chairman introduced the item, noting that this is a great opportunity for Barnet further to the building of new libraries in other areas of the Borough, bringing new technology and being part of a wider regeneration of the Hendon area.

Cllr Conway made the following queries and comments:

·       Cllr Conway requested callover ahead of future CLLC meetings so that the Labour Group can be fully briefed. This was agreed.

Action: Governance Officer

·       Hendon Library is of historic importance locally and nationally. Cllr Conway felt that the consultation process seemed relatively quick and requested more details about it.

Ms Richens, Head of Library Services reported that the consultation would be phased over a long period of time, beginning in spring 2021. This would be subject to Policy & Resources Committee’s agreement of the proposals in December. There would be detailed discussions with residents on what they want from the new site and a range of engagement activities.

·       How would the new library’s floor space compare to the current library, including prior to Middlesex University leasing part of the latter?

Ms Richens responded that proposed footprint is around 800sq metres; around 150 metres larger than the current site, with a more efficient use of space than the present building. Ms Richens would respond after the meeting on the size of the library before the lease to Middlesex University.

Action: Ms Richens

·       How would archive material be stored? This is a valuable resource. For example, the stained-glass windows of the old Church End Library had been damaged and lost in the process of the new one being built.

Ms Richens noted that Barnet’s archivist, Mr Petrie would be closely involved in this so that items would be stored appropriately.

·       How much was being spent on the recent refurbishment of Hendon Town Hall?

This information was not available at the meeting and this is not covered in the report, which related to the libraries only. 

·       As Middlesex University is looking to modernise library sites, Burnt Oak Library frontage and site needs refurbishment more urgently than Hendon Library. There appears to be a divorce between libraries in most people’s understanding, and the estates that a council manages.

Ms Richens responded that she had discussed the infrastructure development plan with the Growth Team and this had included a discussion about Burnt Oak Library.

·       Cllr Rich asked about the current car park, used by Members and officers, where the new library would be situated.

Ms Richens noted that it was unclear whether anyone other than Members and officers used the car park. The Chairman noted that it is not heavily used and that he felt confident that officers would look into this.

·       Cllr Fluss commented that as Hendon Ward Councillor she could not see the reason to leave the Grade II Listed Hendon Library or why it would benefit Barnet residents.

She asked whether Middlesex University would pay for the Library at Egerton Road and what the cost would be. Would there be anything else on the site? Where will the car park be? The report states that the Egerton Road site is too small for the School Libraries Resource Centre and that this will have to be relocated. How much would this relocation cost and what would be the true cost of the new library including this? How much would the rent be?

Cllr Fluss noted that she had seen the figure of £30,000 for relocation and asked why the Council would pay this, when it has an adequate library already? How can the Council be assured that Middlesex University will be able to fund this?

The Chairman noted that the recommendations in the report were for the Committee to comment, and that approval would be sought at Policy & Resources Committee. Such representations could be requested of Policy & Resources Committee. He added that CLLC is considering the library and not the wider development.

Ms Richens confirmed that issues around the Hendon Hub would be discussed at Policy & Resources Committee, so she did not have the detailed information requested on funding. She had been informed that the Members’ car parking would be re-provided. Parking and traffic would be part of the broader consideration of the scheme.

Ms Richens noted that she understood the architectural significance and importance of the current building, though it is not deemed to be necessarily a good location for a modern library service. The new library would have more space and be able to provide a wider range of services. The current building is difficult, expensive to manage and not energy efficient.

·       Cllr O-Macauley asked how much input would be invited from the community during the consultation period about Burnt Oak Library. Ms Richens responded that the scheme was not at this point but for Hendon Library there would be multiple approaches including surveys, displays, drop-in sessions and co-creation sessions.

That Committee RESOLVED to note the proposal to re-provide Hendon library as part of the new Hendon Hub development and to relocate the School Libraries Resources Service (SLRS).

This was the inaugural meeting of the Committee. Consequently, there were no minutes of the last meeting.

The Board received a performance update covering the period June to August 2021 which included data showing trends pre-Covid.  The Assistant Director, Counter Fraud, Community Safety & Protection, LB Barnet, Declan Khan, and Acting Chief Inspector for Partnership, Metropolitan Police, Ed Baildon, presented the report.

Chief Inspector Baildon reported that partners were currently planning for the seasonal increase in residential burglary associated with longer nights.  It was agreed that a review of offending rates should take place in 6 months’ time to review whether interventions had reduced rates in children and adults.

Action: Richard Norfolk

The Board was informed that the current data would show a large percentage increase in crime figures across most areas.  However, it was noted that this would be against a much lower baseline due to the impact of Covid on crime rates.  The Chairman queried whether ward level data was available.  Mr Leng advised that it was but suggested that the Board needed to decide how detailed the reporting data should be.  He agreed to discuss with the Chairman how information could be reported in the future. 

Action: Matt Leng

Chief Inspector Baildon advised the Board the during the Covid lockdown Anti-Social Behaviour had increased and residential burglaries had decreased.  In terms of comparative data, it was suggested that 2019 should be used as a baseline. 

Judi Dumont-Barter, VCFS Representation Lead, Inclusion Barnet, asked whether any diversionary work had been taking place with young black males.  Mr Leng reported that there was but agreed that this could be reported back with more information.

Action: Matt Leng/Tina McElligot/Cezar Tan

The Board noted the Q2 2021/22 Performance Update as set out in the report and above.

The Board received a report from the Community Safety Manager, LB Barnet, Matt Leng which provided an update on the development of Barnet’s Community Safety Strategy 2022 – 2027.  The Board was requested to note the update and comment on the findings of the Community Safety Strategic Crime Needs Assessment. 

The Board noted the next steps in the finalisation of the Strategy and the co-dependency with the Mayors’ Policing and Crime Plan (2017 – 2021) refresh which could have an impact on the adoption timetable.  It was reported that it was expected that consultation on the draft Strategy would in early January 2022 with implementation from 1^st April 2022. 

The Board noted the update on the development of Barnet’s Community Safety Strategy for 2022 – 2027.

The minutes of the meeting held on 23^rd July 2021 were approved as a correct record.

Summary:

On 5 September 2016, the Assets, Regeneration and Growth Committee, which approved the making of the compulsory purchase order in respect of the land comprised in CPO3 and,  in pursuance of its statutory duty to treat, authorised the appropriate Chief Officers to enter into agreements and make undertakings, contracts and transfers on behalf of the Council with third parties having an interest in the land comprised in CPO3 or for the creation of new rights or with parties otherwise affected by the CPO to facilitate the development. 

On the 12^th September 2017, in reliance on a Delegated Powers Report dated the 11^th September 2017, the Council, the NLWA [and London Energy] entered into a Settlement Agreement (“the Agreement”) which included arrangements inter alia, for the provision of a new waste transfer facility and associated documentation relating to an agreement for the occupational lease of the said site.

Since the terms of the Agreement were settled further amendments to it have been required to reflect (i) altered insurance arrangements/obligations  as originally envisaged by the Agreement;  and

(ii) other amendments relating to planning to take account of the current position.

This report confirms the decision of the Deputy Chief Executive following consultation with the Chairman of the Assets and Regeneration Committee, to enter into, on behalf of the Council a supplemental agreement varying the Agreement (“the Variation”) to reflect the above.

Decision

That in accordance with the Assets, Regeneration and Growth Committee’s resolutions made on the 5^th September 2016 which, inter alia,  authorised the appropriate Chief Officers to enter into agreements and make undertakings, contracts and transfers on behalf of the Council with third parties having an interest in the land comprised in CPO3 or for the creation of new rights or with parties otherwise affected by the CPO to facilitate the development, and  following consultation with the Chairman of the Assets Regeneration and Growth Committee, that  the Deputy Chief Executive, on behalf of the Council enters into the Variation with NLWA  and  London Energy, supplemental to the  12^th September 2017 Settlement Agreement entry into which was confirmed by separate Delegated Powers Report dated the 11^th September 2017. 

TheChairmanintroducedtheThriving update report, which provided an update on progress across the thriving workstreams.

Members’ queried whether collaboration with colleges in Barnet was taking place to encourage young people to enter into adult social care roles, to help assist with the recruitment crisis. The Assistant Director for Economy and Development advised that health and care had been identified as one of the top priorities in terms of recruitment and that a programme of work had been initiated with the Royal Free, to assist those using the BOOST service to find meaningful employment. He also explained that funding was available for entry level workers through collaboration with Barnet and Southgate College.

Members’ asked for more information on the BOOST expansion plans. The Assistant Director for Economy and Development explained that an increased level of needs and complexity of individuals had been coming through the BOOST and the expansion was in place to support this cohort. He explained that BOOST was on track to support 300 people this year.

A Member raised concerns about the impact on neighbouring residents to Stag House and the need for residents to be cared for whilst developments took place. Officers from Barnet Homes advised that the concerns had been noted and strong action had been taken with the contractor to prevent any further issues.

Members’ also asked for further information on substance misuse support available for homeless individuals in the borough. Officers advised that they would provide Members’ with further information on this.

Members’ commented on the successes outlined in the report and thanked officers for their hard work. However, some concerns were noted, including the percentage of the working population still seeking job seekers allowance and the level of private rental sector arrears.

Followingconsiderationofthe item,theChairmanmovedto voteon theOfficer’srecommendationsas outlined in the report.

RESOLVED that theCommittee unanimously:

1)    Noted the report.

2)    Noted the progress made in delivering the work, skills and productivity action plan as set out in the update report in Appendix 1, as requested by Committee when the Action plan was approved in June 2021.