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Leader Listens Action Notes – 2
nd
December 2008
Barnfield Primary School, Silkstream Road, Burnt Oak HA8 ODA
In attendance:
Cllr Matthew OffordDeputy Leader of Barnet CouncilKaty LamDemocratic ServicesMelissa JamesDemocratic ServicesPaul Sieloff Colindale Safer Neighbourhood teamNo. of Residents:21Ward:Burnt Oak (HTC)
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 will be distributed to residents within the invited polling district. Any issues raised will be forwarded to therelevant officers/service area for action and comment. In addition, residents will also receive the final action notes detailing what action hasbeen 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;
•
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;
•
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 Deputy Leader of the CouncilAction by
The proposal for the development of aroad through Montrose Park is stronglyopposed by local residents. Is the Councilgoing ahead with this?Residents are concerned that they havenot been consulted on the scale of theproposal and are also concerned aboutthe impact this will have on their lives.This development has not been agreed. It is being proposed as part of theregeneration of the area. Cllr. Harper is meeting with local residents tounderstand some of the issues and to look at possible alternatives.Regeneration of Colindale.The Council works in partnership with the private sector to develop newhousing and other local amenities. Regeneration will help local people byproviding homes as the housing developments will accommodate localpeople, people on housing lists as well as those who live outside the area.The consultation on area action plans provide residents with an opportunityto influence any plans being proposed. The Council is looking at rebuildingColindale Station to increase its capacity and improve its transport systems.Anti-social behaviour PCSO Sieloff assured residents that anti-social behaviour within the boroughhas been reduce and explained that perceptions of anti-social behaviour hadchanged over time. eg. playing football on the streets is now considered anti-social behaviour whereas years ago this was a normal activity for mostyoung boys. He reported that a youth club has been set up which brought inover one hundred young people in its first week but, with only 4 people torun it, they are struggling to maintain it. He commented that some areas arebecoming too territorial and that young people are afraid to travel. He alsosuggested that a lack of voluntary spirit and uncertainty amongst youngpeople about what they want are barriers to the development of more youth-led activities.A lack of play facilities for children andyoung people.The Council is working to provide services and support groups that will workspecifically with young people. There is a premier park within one mile of every resident in the borough and significant resources have been investedin these parks. The Council publicises the facilities available for youngpeople on its website and has also produced several information pamphlets.Has the proposal for a Controlled ParkingZone (CPZ) in Playfield Road beenapprived? Residents are stronglyopposed to this CPZ.The Council carried out a statutory consultation in June/July 2008 for a CPZto operate between 10am and 11am, and 2pm to 3pm on Mondays toFridays, in the Burnt Oak. This was carried out by way of adverts appearingin the local press, notices posted on local streets, and hand-delivered letter,including a detailed plan of the proposals, to all the properties within theidentified area of Burnt Oak. In addition, plans for the proposed layout and
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IssueResponse from the Deputy Leader of the CouncilAction by
Green areas and parkinghours of operation of the CPZ were displayed in Edgware, Hendon andGraeme Park libraries. Playfield Road, along with its neighbouring road, isincluded within the proposal as it is considered that this area suffers from ahigh demand for parking caused by those using local transport facilities or other local amenities. The Council has now analysed all comments andobjections and all those who were previously consulted or have written to theCouncil to express their views will be advised of the Council's decision. If theproposals are approved, it is anticipated that the scheme will be operationalby April 2009.It is proposed that the local green areas may be used by those who do nothave parking spaces adjacent to Playfield Road but this has not beenagreed. The Council will consult on alternative locations where residents canpark.What are Democratic Services?Democratic Services are responsible for the management and administrationof the Council's committees, panels and working groups. They arrange andsupport official meetings of the Council, including the compilation of agendas, provision of advice on procedural matters at meetings and thepreparation of minutes. This is undertaken in accordance with the Council'sconstitution and relevant statutory deadlines. They also assist Members of the Council in their duties as elected representatives.Why is the Leader of the Council nothere?The Leader had to attend an urgent internal council meeting. The Leader Listens schedule allows for either the Leader or Deputy Leader to chair themeeting.Traders displaying goods beyond therestricted line. Their cages make it difficultfor people to walk down Watling Avenue.Barnet Enforcement Officers carry out inspections but some traders may betrading on their own land.Dorne Kanareck,Acting Director of Environment &TransportTraders not disposing of the wasteappropriately along Market Lane.There are also issues of safety as boxesare being left outside shops attractingrodents and pests.The Council can request to see their waste agreement and how they disposetheir waste.The Environmental Services will be informed of this and further investigations will be undertaken.Dorne Kanareck,Acting Director of Environment &TransportBarnet’s investment in Icelandic Banks.The Council currently has £27.4m deposited in Icelandic banks which havebeen placed into administration. These deposits are currently frozen - notlost. Following a visit to Iceland by the Council’s financial officer, BarnetCouncil is now considered a preferred creditor so the Council is optimisticthat its deposits will be returned. The Council has a policy to spread its
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