We asked, you said, we did

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We asked

We asked for your views on the proposed refurbishment of the upper playground at New Southgate Recreation Ground.

You said

We received 57 responses to the online questionnaire. The key themes from the public consultation were:

• Request for more baby swings.
• Request for small climbing frame/slide for younger children.
• Comments that the current red gates into the playground do not move well.
• Requests for water play.
• Request for a sand pit.
• Request for inground trampoline.
• Request for more seating and picnic tables.
• Pleased that the design allows all children to be included in the play area.

We did

The order has been placed for the new equipment, and this will be installed in early summer. This work is being funded by East Area Committee and by Greenspaces capital funding.

The basket swing has been removed, and in its place will be a baby seat, and a you and me seat, which allows a baby/small child and an adult to swing together.

There are two slides for young children, which can be accessed by the main slope and by a climbing slope.

The red gates into the playground will be replaced as part of this project.

We will not be providing water play as water features require regular water testing and maintenance on top of the general operating and utility costs, and the council does not have the funding for this.

We will not be providing a sand pit, as the council has no funding to maintain a sand pit. Sand pits require regular raking and topping up of sand. There is a sand pit at Market Place playground which was installed as a pilot project in September 2024. This is being maintained, and we are monitoring the time and cost of this work, before making any decisions on new sand features.

We will not be providing an inground trampoline. The ground underneath Barnet is London Clay, which means that the ground does not drain very well. Our experience is that the pit under a trampoline fills up with water and does not drain, even with a drainage system in place, which makes the trampoline unusable. The council is therefore not planning to install more trampolines.

The existing benches and picnic tables will remain. There is insufficient budget to provide more benches and tables as part of this project, but this will be considered as part of a wider park project.

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We asked…

We asked your views on our proposals to introduce a number of new road safety measures that will reduce the speed of vehicles and also aim to address concerns raised by residents in Brunswick Park Road, Church Hill Road and the surrounding area.

Amongst the measures proposed included a proposed 20 MPH zone, the introduction of new crossings, the upgrade of existing crossings, and the introduction of a southwest bound one-way system along Spencer Road.

You said…

We received 226 responses from approximately 1635 properties, which equates to an overall response rate of 13.82%.

54.26% agreed that our proposals will improve road safety in the area, with 32.29% disagreeing.

Further feedback included:

• 52% of respondents supported our proposal to introduce a 20 MPH speed limit in the area.
• 62% of respondents supported our proposal to introduce junction improvements and a new crossing at Rushdene Avenue to link with Oak Hill Park.
• 72% of respondents supported our proposed upgrade of the existing zebra crossing outside Church Hill school.
• 69% of respondents supported our proposed upgrade of the current crossing on Brunswick Park between Prevost Road and Osidge Lane junction.
• 71% of respondents supported our proposed upgrade of the crossing on Osidge Lane.
• 63% of respondents supported our proposal to upgrade the zebra crossing near Benfleet Way.
• 65% of respondents supported our proposed introduction of double yellow lines in the area.
• 24% of respondents supported our proposal to introduce a one-way system on Spencer Road, with 40% opposing.
• 50% of respondents opposed our proposal to introduce speed cushions.

We did…

Based on the results of the consultation, and taking into account all the comments received from residents, we are recommending introducing all proposed measures with the following amendments:

• Alter the 20 MPH speed limit proposal to only include Church Hill Lane and exclude Brunswick Park Road.
  1. The decision to progress with the 20 MPH speed limit proposal on Church Hill Lane is due to the presence of Church Hill School, Oak Hill School, St Mary’s East Barnet Church and Oak Hill Park, and to ensure safety for their vulnerable (children and the elderly) users.
• Incorporate “except cyclist” within the one-way restrictions along the proposal.
• Review the location and number of speed calming measures to maximise their effectiveness as complementary measures within the proposals.

We will also recommend a further review take place in the future for further measures highlighted by residents on Brunswick Avenue and Brunswick Gardens.

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We asked

We asked for your views on our minor amendments to the Burnt Oak North (BON) Controlled Parking Zone (HA8) in order to address local parking concerns.

You said

We received 13 responses from approximately 3344 properties, which equates to an overall response rate less than 1%. As the changes made were minor in its capacity, this level of response was anticipated.

2 respondents objected to the minor amendments directly. 11 respondents either sent an enquiry, objected to the scheme as a whole or responded to the update emails that were sent relating to measures that were previously implemented.

We did

Based on the feedback received we will be making the minor amendments permanent on 24 February 2025.

The minor experimental amendments being made permanent are:

• existing shared use bays in Orange Hill Road, Deansbrook Road, Watling Avenue, Grange Road and Fortescue Road changed from ‘Resident permit holders and Pay by Phone’ to ‘Permit holders and Pay by Phone’.
• shared use bay outside no. 35 Abbots Road.
• single yellow line within a parking bay in Orange Hill Road, which operates between 8am to 9.30am and 3pm to 4.30pm
• loading bay (Mon-Fri 8am-6.30pm) in Deansbrook Road outside the parade of shops
• double yellow lines and inclusion of North Road Estate and Brearley Close into the BON CPZ.

The proposed double yellow lines in Market Lane have not been implemented, however this will be reviewed at a later date.

We have written to residents detailing the outcome of this consultation. You can read this letter here.

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We asked

We asked for your views on one scheme proposals within Area C. We asked for whether residents thought that the schemes would improve public spaces and improve active routes around Area C.

You Said

We received 58 responses to this engagement.

C1: Peel Link Connection

• 60% of respondents agreed that this would improve public spaces and improve active routes around Area C
• Concerns about crime and antisocial behaviour
• Potential issues with parking from commuters/ non-residents
• Improve the existing short-cut with timber bridge which suffers from flooding and fly tipping

We did

• The proposed link be lit with CCTV provided and overgrown vegetation trimmed.
• If parking is identified as an issue following implementation, the Council will consult on local parking controls w.
• The current proposal is to provide a permanent direct, safe and accessible link to serve communities to the north and south of the rail line.

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We asked

We asked for your views on five scheme proposals within Area B. We asked for whether residents thought that the schemes would improve public spaces and improve active routes around Area B.

You Said

We received 23 responses to this engagement.

B1. Colindale Avenue corridor improvements: Pasteur Close to Roundabout

• 78% of respondents agreed that this would improve public spaces and improve active routes around Area B

B2. Colindale Avenue corridor improvements: A5 to Colindale Station

• 83% of respondents agreed that this would improve public spaces and improve active routes around Area B
• Concern over the lack of controlled crossings at Colindale Avenue/ Edgware Road

B3. Aerodrome Roundabout enhancement

• 78% of respondents agreed that this would improve public spaces and improve active routes around Area B
• Concerns about flooding on the Aerodrome roundabout

B4. Aerodrome Roundabout enhancement

• 78% of respondents agreed that this would improve public spaces and improve active routes around Area B

B5. RAF Museum entrance

• 78% of respondents agreed that this would improve public spaces and improve active routes around Area B

Area B General Comments

• Poor surface quality, narrow footway
• Narrow width of bridge outside Colindale Station resulting in overcrowding on footway.

We did

B2. Colindale Avenue corridor improvements: A5 to Colindale Station

• The Council is delivering a separate scheme to improve crossing facilities at the A5 junction.

B3. Aerodrome Roundabout enhancement

• Surface flooding will be managed on the roundabout using sustainable drainage systems to provide additional capacity.

Area B General Comments

Footways will be resurfaced and widened on the northern side to improve access to the Colindale Station

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We asked

We asked for your views on six scheme proposals within Area A. We asked for whether residents thought that the schemes would improve public spaces and improve active routes around Area A

You Said

We received 29 responses to this engagement.

A1. Improved walking routes: Bristol Avenue to Blundell Road and Lanacre Avenue

• 83% of respondents agreed that this would improve public spaces and improve active routes around Area A
• Important to consider safety for those using the park at night linking to Colindale Station
• Improved surfacing, lighting and landscaping will be welcome.

A2. Watford Way pedestrian connection

• 66% of respondents agreed that this would improve public spaces and improve active routes around Area A
• Route may be potentially longer than on Aerodrome Rd
• Is there CCTV proposed in underpass?
• Poor quality of pedestrian footways in the area

A3. Booth Road traffic calming

• 72% of respondents agreed that this would improve public spaces and improve active routes around Area A
• Suggest extending 20mph on all of North and south Colindale
• Booth Road is not too busy and doesn’t require traffic calming which may displace traffic to nearby streets.
• Traffic calming will not be observed by drivers

A4. Heybourne Park to Montrose Park Walk

• 72 % of respondents agreed that this would improve public spaces and improve active routes around Area A
• Potential Issues with antisocial behaviour in Montrose Park if linked to Heybourne Park

A5. Walking and cycling link to Mill Hill Broadway (East - West)

• 55% of respondents agreed that this would improve public spaces and improve active routes around Area A
• High levels of traffic on Bunns Lane
• Step-free access at Mill Hill Broadway Station required
• Consider direct bus services from Colindale to Mill Hill Broadway.

A6. Walking and Cycling link to Mill Hill Broadway (North-South)

• 52 % of respondents agreed that this would improve public spaces and improve active routes around Area A

We did

A1. Improved walking routes: Bristol Avenue to Blundell Road and Lanacre Avenue

• Existing lighting to be upgraded where appropriate subject to funding
• Footways will be resurfaced, and landscape features introduced to improve drainage and make the route pleasant.

A2. Watford Way pedestrian connection

• The proposal will improve an existing link which feels isolated and overlooked.
• CCTV and lighting will be investigated in the subway subject to funding
• Footway Improvements and trimming of overgrown hedges proposed outside subways.

A3. Booth Road traffic calming

• The introduction of an area-wide 20mph speed limit is outside the scope of this project.
• Booth Road serves as an alternative route for the A5 although it is a residential street. Traffic surveys indicate that Booth Road receives about 5,000 vehicles a day.
• We will provide suitable traffic calming features with appropriate spacing that will encourage compliance.

A4. Heybourne Park to Montrose Park Walk

• We will trim back overgrown hedges and upgrade lighting to improve personal safety.

A5. Walking and cycling link to Mill Hill Broadway (East - West)

• We will widen footways on Bunns Lane to provide a shared use facility for pedestrians and cyclists
• Works within the station is outside the scope of this project.
• Bus services are managed by Transport for London who have been consulted on the proposals.

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We asked

We asked for your input in order to help shape the council’s new Data Charter, including your views on the council’s processing of personal data; our open data; and what makes a good customer information request service.

You said

We received 22 responses to the online questionnaire.

73% of respondents had used the council’s information services.

Around a third of all respondents had submitted an FOI request to the council at some point.

Suggestions and comments related to the new Data Charter included:

• Making sure older and digitally excluder residents can access data - for instance in libraries
• I would like to be able to understand the structure of the council.
• it might be worth considering whether you could publish statutory returns teams send to Government Departments
• I would like to review the underlying data teams use to back up their consultation proposals, so would be good if that data was available on the portal and flagged/tagged in some way/linked to Engage Barnet
• Comparisons to other, equal-sized boroughs
• If the charter is too restrictive or authoritative and it could hinder democracy and allow Barnet departments to hide behind The Charter.
• Adequate training of staff so they fully understand how to keep people's data safe and private
• Important to look at from the residents viewpoint.
• No single person employed by Barnet should have the power to exercise complete control over its data.
• Making sure older and digitally excluder residents can access data - for instance in libraries
• I would like to be able to understand the structure of the council.
• it might be worth considering whether you could publish statutory returns teams send to Government Departments
• I would like to review the underlying data teams use to back up their consultation proposals, so would be good if that data was available on the portal and flagged/tagged in some way/linked to Engage Barnet.

We did

We have reviewed the responses and these, along with results from related focus groups, will be incorporated into a final report that will inform the final Data Charter, which we aim to publish early in the 2025/26 financial year.

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We asked

We asked for your views on the proposed schedule of Non Executive Fees and Charges, to be implemented from January 2025.

You said

We received two responses to the online questionnaire. One of the respondents made a comment and the comment was:

• The fees should increase rather than the cuts to council tax support. Non-Executive fees are paid by people who can afford it because of the choices they make. Let them pay the costs of the budget.

We did

We reviewed the responses; Council approved the proposed the Non Executive Fees and Charges. The executive fees and charges were authorised under the delegated authority of the Leader of the Council, Cabinet Member for Resources and Effective Council. The responses were also reviewed in this Decision - Authorisation for the proposed Non-Executive Fees and Charges for 2025