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First Draft Leader Listens Notes – 18 November 2008
Our Lady of Lourdes RC School, Bow Lane, Finchley, N12 9JP
In attendance:
Cllr Mike FreerLeader of Barnet CouncilKaty LamDemocratic ServicesMelissa JamesDemocratic ServicesSgt. Anne Marie SullivanWoodhouse Safer Neighbourhood TeamNo. of Residents:25Ward:Woodhouse (FHD)
Introduction
The purpose of the Leader Listens meetings is to give residents of the Borough an opportunity to discuss local issues directly with the Leader of the Council. The meeting also allows residents to contribute to Barnet’s policy-making process.The action notes from the meeting would be distributed to residents within the invited polling district. Any issues raised would be forwarded tothe relevant officers/service area for action and comment. In addition, residents would also receive the final action notes detailing what actionhad been taken within six - eight weeks after the meeting.Some key points about the Borough:
•
Barnet is the joint largest borough in London, the 20
th
most ethnically diverse and the 2
nd
most religiously diverse;
•
Barnet has more roads and pavements than any other London Borough;
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Barnet is experiencing a period of growth due to an intensive house-building programme along the A5 corridor;
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Barnet's age mix is also on the rise with more under 5’s and over 85’s within the Borough. The Council is challenged to provide services tomeet the diverse needs of this demographic;
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Barnet has a ₤1 billion cash flow (on par with a FTSE 500 company); and Barnet spends just under ₤700 million on council services eachyear 
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IssueResponse from the Leader of the CouncilAction by
Barnet’s investment in Icelandic Banks.Will council tax increase as a result?London Borough of Barnet has a legal duty to manage its assets and thebulk of the money invested in these accounts is pension funds. Barnetdeposits money in a variety of banks and uses the money to fund some of itscapital improvement programmes such as the building of new primaryschools without government money. The Council has a policy of spreadingand minimising risk and only use banks that are highly capitalised and meetgovernment guidelines. The Icelandic banks that were invested in met thegovernment’s criteria and no problems were identified until March of thisyear. The deposits were made in 2006/2007 when both the Icelandic andBritish economy was strong. 92% of Council funds are invested in Europeanbanks and no money has been lost. The money in Icelandic accounts issimply frozen and representatives from Barnet Council attended a Creditor Committee in Iceland to negotiate the recovery of the investments. Inflationis presently around 5% and council tax rises would be under inflation.2012 Olympics – by how much willcouncil tax increase?The London Mayor has agreed that council tax payers will not pay more thanband D which is an average of £240 towards the Olympics. For residentswho live in slightly higher banded proprieties, the maximum would beapproximately £320 over a period of 20 years.White building on Finchley High Roadwithout any signage in English. It isimportant that all buildings have aname/description in the host languageThis is a private building and the owners can display information in thelanguage of their choice.
ACTION
: The Council works with many faith leaders and will pass on theresident’s concern.DSO/Leader’sOffice:Leaves on the roads/pavements andoutside Moss Hall SchoolThe Council invested an extra £100k this year into clearing leaves from thestreets. The leaf-falling season is longer than usual and the Council cannotafford to sweep as frequently as it would like. There is a rolling programmefor leaf-clearing and residential streets are swept every 4 weeks. It isanticipated that all the leaves would be cleared within a fortnight. TheCouncil has a ‘hot spot team’ and areas identified as hazardous get an extrasweep regularly.
ACTION
: To check leaves outside Moss Hall School.Mike Freestone,Director of Environment &TransportDamaged pavements caused by treesalong Ballards Lane, and Finchley CourtThere are two options for dealing with this; removal of the tree or theprotruding roots. The Highways Team, who manage Barnet’s pavements,would not recommend the removal of any trees unless absolutely necessary.Alternatively, the roots can be removed and the surrounding pavement withtarmac which is much more flexible when there is root movement.Mike Freestone,Director of Environment &Transport.
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IssueResponse from the Leader of the CouncilAction by
The Insurance team will process claims submitted, record complaints toidentify problem areas and will arrange an area inspection where necessary.All newly planted trees roots are now placed in drain pipes to force their roots to grow downwards, to prevent this problem happening in the future.New/replacement trees being planted by the aboriculturalist team requireless maintenance and are different to those planted by the Victorians.
ACTION
: (a) The area along Ballards Lane and Finchley Court will beinspected. (b) Insurance claims received for the area will be checked.Paul Lawrence,Head of InsuranceThree trees adjacent to resident’s homeon corner of Bow Lane (opposite FinchleyMemorial Hospital) require maintenanceto prevent them from damaging the roof and walls.To be inspected.Mike Freestone,Director of Environment &TransportThe road sweepers do not sweep in frontof the resident’s house on Granville Roadbecause the cars are never removed,Request for a sign to be erectedrequesting residents move their cars toenable a proper sweep.The Council can use traffic orders to stop people parking in certain areas butthese are often ignored and it would not be suitable in these circumstances.Unfortunately, there is no single piece of equipment that can sweep under cars.
ACTION
: additional road sweep to be investigated.Mike Freestone,Director of Environment &TransportA resident extended his thanks to theroad sweeper who removed the excessleaves in front of his home.A resident commented that the doublerow of plane trees along Fitzjohns Avenuelook unsightly due to pollarding with eachtree having only 2/3 branches.The trees were maintained by Camden Council.
ACTION
: To contact Camden Council and enquire why this has been done.Mike Freestone,Director of Environment &transportComments on Barnet Council services ina recent article in the local press.Should residents be consulted onchanges to local public services and their providers?The details in the article were incorrect. The Council did issue a responsebut it was not highlighted. The Council is constantly under pressure to makeefficiency savings and has commissioned a piece of work to help establishwhat residents want, and how it can best be delivered. It examines whichservices should remain in-house and which should be contracted out,especially where services are not working as well as they should. E.g.Barnet leisure centres are contracted out to a non-profit making organisation
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