Leader Listens to Faith Communities Action Notes – 23 November 2008

St. Edward the Confessor Roman Catholic Church, 700 Finchley Road, London NW11 7NE.

In attendance:
Cllr Mike Freer Leader of Barnet Council
Vanessa Gearson Cabinet Adviser
No. of Residents: 36
Faith Community: Roman Catholic

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 the
relevant officers/service area for action and comment. In addition, residents will also receive the final action notes detailing what action had
been taken within six - eight weeks after the meeting.

Some key points about the Borough:

th nd
• Barnet is the joint largest borough in London, the 20 most ethnically diverse and the 2 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;
• 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 to
meet 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 each
year.

Issue Response from the Leader of the Council Action by

Thanks for the introduction of the The Leader noted these comments and explained to the meeting that the
community parking permit for faith leaders permits had been introduced to assist the work of faith leaders who are often

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Issue
which has been very useful.
Concern over limited crossing time at the
junction of Finchley Road and Hoop Lane.
Parking penalty notices in Tilling Road
(Hendon Way) where there is no
Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) -
specifically concerns over penalty notices
given to residents parking in their own
drives.
Traffic/parking blockage of Nether Street
Fire at Kosher Supermarket on Golders
Green Road – concerns over renovations
to shop frontage and roof perhaps leading
to change of use application.
Response from the Leader of the Council Action by
called out to visit members of their community, sometimes urgently. The cost
of the permit is £40.
The Leader explained that traffic lights are not run by the Council but by the
management company Traffic Control Unit (TCU). Finchley Road is also not
controlled by Barnet but by Transport for London (TfL). TfL manage the main
routes within Barnet and often do not even consult the Council when
changes to traffic systems are made. There is generally a reluctance to alter
the phasing of traffic lights because of concerns on the impact of main route
traffic.
ACTION: Refer to TCU/TfL to request improved traffic light phasing – TCU/TfL
increase of a second to be suggested and a review of the current timings.
The Leader commented that it is not usual to ticket cars in driveways unless
the car is hanging over the driveway, causing an obstruction or blocking
pedestrian passage. All Barnet tickets commence with the letters BA
otherwise it would be a TfL ticket. A CPZ would not be possible because the Resident/Leader of
Hendon Way is one of the busiest roads in London. the Council/
ACTION: The Leader to review the conditions of the resident’s penalty Dorne Kanareck,
charge notice when the details are passed on. Environment and Transport Acting Director of
Service to inspect Tilling Road Environment &
Transport
The Leader explained that the kerb build-outs had already been removed on
one side of Nether Street (along with Finchley Way, Hamilton Way and Elm
Park) in an attempt to alleviate congestion. There had also been a request to
remove the grass verges on the Nether Court side but the Council was
reluctant to do this because it would merely reinforce public perception that
Nether Street is a main route. The problem can only be resolved by the
introduction of a CPZ which is in current consultation. A CPZ has already
been refused three times by residents.
ACTION: Status report from Environment and Transport Service. Dorne Kanareck,
Acting Director of
Environment &
Transport
The Leader confirmed that the building is not owned by the Council so the
insertion of windows and changes to the shop frontage was not an issue for
the Council. He assured the meeting that a change of use from a retail unit
to housing would not normally be approved, not least because of the loss of
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Issue
Concerns over the erection of buildings
which may be considered individual
dwellings in residential gardens.
Concerns over the rat-run on Llanvanor
Road coming off Finchley Road –
particularly in the morning. Could speed
signs (such as those in Crewys Road) be
put up reminding drivers of the speed
limit?
Issues arising from the planning
application history for site 698a Finchley
Road, specifically how had an earlier
application missed the deadline to go to
Committee? This led to the developer
automatically taking the application
straight to the Planning Inspector who
Response from the Leader of the Council Action by
employment opportunities. He also explained that planning was not a
political function. The application of planning law must be the only
consideration for members of the Council’s Planning Committees. Members
cannot vote on their personal likes/dislikes. If not, the planning applicant will Leader of the
appeal the Committee’s decision to the Planning Inspectorate which will Council/ Pam
frequently overrule the decision if it is found to be faulty. Wharfe, Acting
Director of
ACTION: Leader to refer resident’s concerns to the Planning Department. Planning, Housing
& Regeneration
The Leader explained that there were strict guidelines for the development
of buildings in residential gardens and that, where they breached planning
regulations, enforcement action can be taken which can potentially lead to
the buildings being removed.
The Leader commented that traffic management is budget limited.
Government targets are focused on reducing personal injury accidents and
rely on accident data. The roads where people are injured are considered
the most dangerous and are therefore tackled first. Road humps are no
longer used because drivers have become complacent in using them and
the Ambulance Service is always against their use (quoting a loss of 550
lives a year as a result of road humps). When a road is resurfaced residents,
councillors and the Police are consulted about their removal. The Council is
rarely asked to put them back in. The roads classified as the most
dangerous in the Borough are the main routes such as the A41, A1000 and
North Circular – none of which is controlled by Barnet by TfL.
ACTION: Environment and Transport Service to review speeds on Llanvanor Dorne Kanareck,
Road and investigate signage options. Acting Director of
Environment &
Transport
The Leader confirmed that, as planning consent had previously been
granted, any application that was the same or similar to the approved terms
of consent would probably be recommended for approval by planning
officers. This did not mean the Planning Committee had to approve the
application but, if planning permission were refused, it would almost certainly
be taken to appeal. He reminded the meeting that the planning system is
now decentralised from councillors who legally may no longer pre-determine
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Issue
approved planning consent:
Setting aside the withdrawal of a more
recent application, clarification of the
following points was requested:
1. Why was there a non-determination of
the first application?
2. Why was the democratic process not
followed? Why did the application that
gained approval for outline consent not go
to Committee?
3. Why did the Council run out of time?
A copy of the planning officer’s report for
the original outline application was also
requested.
Expression of thanks for the Council’s
new plastic/cardboard recycling blue box
initiative.
Problem with rats on Accommodation
Road and the back of houses on
Rodborough Road. Is there a Council
pest control service to deal with this?
Rats at the back of Temple Fortune
Parade – concern that residents won’t
report the rat infestation because of the
cost involved. As this is a matter of public
health, should the service not be provided
free of charge?
Do retail outlets pay for their refuse to be
Response from the Leader of the Council Action by
a case. If they were to comment publicly they would break the law and
automatically win the applicant a right of appeal.
The Leader referred anyone wishing to find out more information on the
planning history of a building in Barnet to the GIS section on the Council’s
website www.barnet.gov.uk.
ACTION: Leader to pass on specific requests to Planning Department for Pam Wharfe, Acting
response. Director of
Planning, Housing
& Regeneration
The Leader noted these comments and assured the meeting that there
would be no move to fortnightly refuse collection. He added that, while other
boroughs may collect more materials, these are often not recycled. Barnet
recycles what is recyclable. To ensure this happens, spot checks are carried
out on the Council’s refuse contractors.
The Leader confirmed that the Council rat-catcher service had been
reinstated after it was temporarily suspended in order to make it more cost-
efficient. Problems with rats had increased because of a series of issues -
the number of properties being turned into flats, the increasing population
density and the expansion of food outlets. The lanes behind Golders Green
Road are not owned by the Council so they are not swept. However, if there
is an accumulation of waste, the owners of the shops can be required to
clean up the area.
The Leader assured the meeting that those on low fixed incomes are entitled
to pest control assistance.
ACTION: Environmental Services to examine both areas. Dorne Kanareck,
Acting Director of
Environment &
Whereas residents cannot opt out of the Council’s refuse service, Transport
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Issue
collected?
Groups within the Parish had discussed
the tragic impact of the ‘Baby P’ case and
concluded that family life was under
threat in a number of ways. What can the
Council do to help the family unit?
What is the situation with the Council’s
money currently deposited in Icelandic
banks? What guarantees were given for
the return of the Council’s deposits?
Traffic congestion on Finchley Road going
north towards Henly’s Corner. Could the
Response from the Leader of the Council Action by
businesses are not obliged to use the service. Approximately 60% of local
businesses use other collection services.
The Leader stated that the Council had limited legal powers to support the
family. However, £200K in small grants is being given to support community
groups funding initiatives such as breakfast/lunch clubs and pensioners
clubs. These groups help combat isolation and the small grants help keep
them running. Whereas previously the elderly were all too often placed in
care homes, the Council is now actively working to give older residents the
opportunity to stay in their own homes as long as possible which is proven to
keep people healthier and fitter. Significant resources have been spent on
adapting residents’ homes. Furthermore, the Council is working to keep
extended families together by reviewing regulations on accommodation
extensions. There are also plans to provide an additional 15-20,000 new
homes in the Borough within the next decade. However, where affordable
housing targets are given in units, the Council is fighting to have the target
set by the number of bedrooms which would enable the Council to provide
more families with appropriate accommodation.
The Council has a legal duty to manage its assets and the bulk of the money
invested in these accounts is pension funds. Barnet deposits money in a
variety of banks and uses the money to fund some of its capital improvement
programmes such as the building of new primary schools without
government money. The Council has a policy of spreading and minimising
risk and only use banks that are highly capitalised and meet government
guidelines. The Council followed the advice of HM Treasury experts in
placing the money with the Icelandic banks. These banks met the
Government’s criteria and no problems were identified until March of this
year. The deposits were made in 2006/2007 when both the Icelandic and
British economy was strong. 92% of Council funds are invested in European
banks and no money has been lost. The money in Icelandic accounts is
simply frozen and representatives from Barnet Council attended a Creditor
Committee in Iceland to negotiate the recovery of the investments.
Corporate deposits do not get the same level of protection as private
deposits. Withdrawal of the money would have incurred a loss of between
10-40% of the total deposit.
The Leader explained that the problems at Henlys Corner had been under
review for over twenty five years. Proposals to improve this stretch of the
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Issue
Council lobby Transport for London (TfL)
to introduce a right turn filter system to
alleviate the problem?
Would it be possible to make Finchley
Road a ‘red route’? Large cars attempting
to park appear to be a significant
problem.
Would it be possible to create a parking
bay by Portsdown Avenue?
Concerns about the traffic in Cricklewood:
1. Left turn only instruction ignored from
the B&Q site onto Claremont Road and
Litchfield Road
2. Exit from Oak Grove turning right onto
Cricklewood Broadway.
3. Large Barnet refuse bin blocking vision
Concerns about the number of planning
applications being submitted for the
conversion of family homes into flats
Response from the Leader of the Council Action by
highway include the construction of a series of tunnels leading to a
roundabout from the North Circular to Cambridge Roundabout at a cost of
₤900M – known as the major scheme. However, this scheme is unlikely to
proceed as the Treasury is unwilling to fund it until the minor scheme (a
series of road closures and some widening and costing c. £220M has been
proven not to work). Neither is likely to proceed. Accordingly, the Council is
working with TfL on a local action scheme for Henlys Corner. The cost will be
approximately £8.5 million and will include new filter lanes, increased
capacity for cars turning onto the North Circular Road and segregated
pedestrian facilities. The Council should be in a position to discuss current
and other schemes to improve Henlys Corner in early 2009. The Council will
work closely with TfL to ensure that London does not grind to a halt while
Henlys Corner is being reconfigured.
It would not be appropriate to make Finchley Road a red route as there is
on-street parking in Temple Fortune. Creating standard size parking bays
would actually decrease the number of cars able to park and therefore
increase the amount of congestion.
Approximately £300K would be needed for the pavement to be re-laid and
strengthened for car usage. Furthermore, 1.8 metres in width would need to
be left available for wheelchair/buggy access. There would probably be Dorne Kanareck,
insufficient space and the Council would not be able to afford it. Acting Director of
ACTION: Environment and Transport Services to ascertain feasibility. Environment &
Transport
The Leader confirmed that CCTV is not used to monitor or penalise Dorne Kanareck,
motorists. Acting Director of
Environment &
ACTION: Environment and Transport Services to inspect and review Transport
options for improving the filter and repositioning of refuse bin. Consideration
of a barrier to prevent turning in wrong direction.
The Leader explained that the current regulations made it difficult to stop this
kind of development. The Unitary Development Plan specifically advises
against this kind of development but the guidance is currently inadequate as
it is not strong enough to stop it. On normal residential streets, the Council is
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Issue Response from the Leader of the Council Action by
pre-disposed to refuse permission and has been successful in driving away
potential developers from developing residential roads. An important
precedent has been set in refusing these applications.

Meeting concluded at 20:30

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