We asked, you said, we did

Read more about this engagement

We asked

Local Councillors and community representatives carried out a short-term review (Task and Finish Group) of the Elective Home Education (EHE) Service. Further information about Overview and Scrutiny reviews can be found here: Our Overview and Scrutiny committees | Barnet Council. As part of the EHE Task and Finish Group investigations, we asked for your experiences and suggestions about how the EHE Service could be improved.

You said

We received a total of 52 responses which represents an estimated 12% of the known EHE families in Barnet.

You told us you were pleased with the improved engagement and information provided by the EHE Service. Whilst the EHE community has developed its own strong networks, you would like additional information from the council about the activities available for EHE families.

We did

The EHE Task and Finish Group review has been completed and made seven recommendations to Cabinet, the council’s decision-making body. The final EHE report and recommendations can be found here. Cabinet will provide a response to the recommendations early in 2025.

Recommendations based on your suggestions included:

• Enhancing the website, providing more information on all the activities and events in the borough
• A special library card so EHE children can withdraw more books and keep them for longer
• Access to exam centres for EHE children.

Read more about this engagement

We asked

We asked for your views on our proposal to extend the existing Totteridge and Whetstone Station (TW) Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) to include Manus Way, Blakeney Close, St Margarets Avenue, Totteridge Lane, Baxendale, The Mount and Swan Lane.

This proposal was in response to feedback received on parking displacement caused by non-residential parking.

You said

We received 40 responses out of 346 letters sent to residents outlining the proposed extension. This represents a response rate of 12%.

In total, 80% stated that they experience parking problems on their road with:

• 32.5% of respondents answering “always”
• 47.5% answering “sometimes”
• 20% answering “never”

Overall 62.5% of respondents were in favour of being included in the CPZ

We also received numerous comments on our proposals many of the responses to can be found in our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). The comments include:

• The CPZ appears to be more of a money-making scheme rather than a solution to local parking issues. Cost of living is high and many will struggle to afford permits.
• The CPZ extension will just push parking displacement to other roads close to the proposed boundary.
• Previous CPZ extensions have not brought noticeable improvement in parking availability or reduced commuter parking. There’s no guarantee that this further extension will achieve the intended goals.
• Some of the proposed roads are not near Totteridge and Whetstone Station and are not experiencing parking displacements.
• Where are commuters going to park? Some have no other option but to park on these free roads as there’s no parking at the nearby station.
• Existing TW CPZs were required as most properties do not have driveways. Residents within the extension area have driveways and do not need a CPZ.
• No issues in parking.

We did

We have reviewed all the feedback.

Based on the responses received during the parking engagement and the high levels of parking stress identified during the surveys, it has been agreed that officers will proceed with the extension of the TW CPZ on an experimental basis to include the seven additional roads. The extended CPZ will operate as per the southern section of the existing TW CPZ – Monday to Friday, between 2pm and 3pm.

The parking controls will be designed to mitigate the concerns raised and we will review the impact of the measures after a six-month statutory consultation period and any feedback received will help determine the future of the scheme.

To support the CPZ, we will:

• implement paid for (cashless) parking bays near stations and businesses
• introduce Permit Parking Areas (PPAs) on smaller roads to allow residents with a TW CPZ permit to continue parking as they were
• introduce Double Yellow lines at junctions or bends where identified to improve traffic flow and ensure larger vehicles such as the emergency services can navigate the area safely.

The scheme will be implemented experimentally to enable comments to be made on a live scheme and officers to monitor the effects. We have written to residents with further details on how we will implement the TW CPZ extension on an experimental basis: TW CPZ Extension Pre-implementation Letter'

Further details on the scheme, including how residents can apply for permits will be sent to residents by February 2025.

Read more about this engagement

We asked

We asked residents and businesses to have their say on the Action for Silk Stream (AfSS) project so far. By doing so, we gathered data on the following aspects related to the project:

• awareness, knowledge, and experience of flooding
• locations where flooding / pollution incidents are taking place
• support for methods of managing flood risk
• levels of resident flood protection methods
• engagement with rivers, watercourses and wetlands and the project
• improvements the project can make

You said

We received 92 responses to the survey and saw a good spread of responses from residents across the Silk Stream catchment. 30% of respondents had previously participated in an AfSS volunteer day, and 31% had attended an AfSS event.

Some of the key findings include:

• 99% agreed that managing flood risk in the Silk Stream Catchment is important.
• 73% of respondents are aware of the causes of flooding.
• Only 34% of respondents know where to seek advice / keep updated about the local flooding situation, with just 40% knowing how to protect their homes and local area from flooding.
• 60% have experienced flooding and 28% believe their property is at risk. Common sources of the risk cited were:
  1. rainfall (51%)
  2. sewer blockages (43%)
  3. local river (40%)
• 26 locations and descriptions where flooding and pollution are occurring were submitted.
• 66% indicated that they would like project / event updates and to volunteer for AfSS.

We also received numerous comments on our events. General themes include:

• longer sessions
• more regular events
• more outreach work with businesses and inclusive activities
• river restoration, arts and crafts, wildlife walks and exercise sessions were suggested as potential new events.
• social media is the main platform people use to find information.

We did

The results from the online survey will help inform our mid-project evaluation. The project team will use the findings to help to further shape the project and the engagement programme in its final two years.

Read more about this engagement

We asked

We asked for your views on our proposal to extend the existing Barnet Hospital (BH) Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) to include Brett Road, Farm Close, Hackforth Close, Raebarn Gardens, Ryecroft Crescent, St Peter’s Close and West Close.

This proposal was in response to feedback received on parking displacement caused by non-residential parking

You said

We received 36 responses out of 167 letters sent to residents outlining the proposed extension. This represents a response rate of 22%.

When asked about how often they experienced parking problems on their road:

• 25% of respondents answered “always”
• 42% answered “sometimes”
• 33% answered “never”

In total, 67% stated that they experience parking problems on their road.

When asked about whether they were in favour of being included in the CPZ:

• 17% were in favour of being included in the CPZ
• 78% were not in favour
• 6% were not sure

Over half of those that were not in favour of being included in the CPZ responded stating they experience some sort of parking problems in their road,.

We also received numerous comments on our proposals including:

• Parking bays on the ground would result in shortages of parking, due to some roads being narrow and would affect traffic flow and could result in collisions. Surrounding area has bays and there is now reduced parking.
• Other roads in the area such as Quinta Drive has parking controls, so they park on our roads instead.
• Visitors will not be able to park.
• Proposed times are too excessive and would prefer 1 or 2 hours.
• Cost of living is high and would struggle to afford permits.
• No issues in parking

We did

We have reviewed all feedback.

Based on the responses received during the parking engagement and the high levels of parking stress identified during the parking stress surveys, t has been agreed that officers will proceed with the extension of the BH CPZ, on an experimental basis, to include the seven additional roads, which will operate from Monday to Saturday between 8am and 6.30pm..

The parking controls will be designed to mitigate the concerns raised and we will review the impact of the measures after a six-month statutory period and any feedback received will help determine the future of the scheme.

To support the CPZ, we will:

• Introduce Permit Parking Areas (PPAs) to allow residents with an existing valid BH CPZ permit to continue parking as they were.
• Introduce Double Yellow lines at junctions or bends where identified to improve traffic flow and ensure larger vehicles such as the emergency services can navigate the area safely.

We will write to residents with further details on how we will implement the BH CPZ extension on an experimental basis.

Read more about this consultation

We asked

We asked for your views on proposals to implement bus lanes on A598 Regents Park Road.

You said

We received 67 responses to our questionnaire which is a response rate of 12%, based on the number of letters we sent out.

We asked how important elements were of the design. It showed:

• 52% thought Northbound bus lane was important with 45% stating not important (3% don’t know)
• 58% thought Southbound bus lane was important with 39% stating not important (3% don’t know).

We also requested written thoughts on the proposals. The main themes mentioned within the public consultation can be found below.

• Bus Lane is a good idea (6% of respondents)
• Bus Lane should be longer / include a larger area / more hours (14% of respondents)
• Bus Lane is dangerous for pedestrians / cyclists (2% of respondents)
• Bus Lane will impact parking / loading negatively (8% of respondents)
• No need for bus lane / poor use of council resources (30% of respondents)
• Increased congestion (30% of respondents)

We did

Based on the feedback received, we have amended our proposals and will proceed to a statutory consultation on 28 November 2024. You can view our new plans here: A598 Regents Park Road Statutory Consultation Plan

Letters have been sent to residents in the vicinity of the proposals informing them of the statutory consultation. You can view this letter and have your say on the statutory consultation here: Resident Letter - A598 Regents Park Road Statutory Consultation

Read more about this consultation

Read more about this consultation

We asked

We asked for your views on our updated proposals for Watling Avenue Car park, Burnt Oak Library and 41 Barnfield Road.

The consultation website was updated with the latest design material and a dedicated feedback form for respondents to comment on the material. 1,300 leaflets were posted by first class Royal Mail to local addresses to advertise the consultation and in person events.

You said

Two separate public drop-in events were held at Burnt Oak Library (Saturday 20th July and Friday 26th July). The team engaged with over 40 local people at the two events, discussing their experiences of living in Barnet and thoughts around the updated design proposals. The designs and proposals were shown on a series of banners, and paper surveys were available for people to provide feedback. The design team and client group attended the sessions to answer questions.

Following the event on Friday 26th July, the team stood outside Burnt Oak tube station during rush hour 5.15pm – 7pm, handing out over 60 additional leaflets that signposted to the project website and shared more information on the scheme.

An additional 55 responses were received during the Stage 2 consultation and the results can be read on the dedicated consultation website for the project here: https://wcp-consultation.co.uk/

We did

The stage 2 feedback has been recorded in full as part of a Statement of Community Involvement that accompanies the planning application.

Read more about this engagement

We asked

We held two public workshops to gather insights from the local community on a range of transport-related issues in the borough. These workshops aimed to ensure community perspectives were central to shaping future transport policies.

You said

We received 49 requests from individuals to participate in the workshops, and all those who expressed interest were invited to attend. The workshop covered a range of transport-related topics, including the aims of the strategy, transport habits, 20 mph zones and kerbside priorities. The feedback will play a key role in shaping the borough’s transport strategy moving forward.

We did

The findings from the workshops informed the next phase of our engagement and helped us refine specific aspects of our transport strategy survey. After analysing the results from all forms of engagement, we will share our aims and priorities, which have been shaped by input from both the various workshops and the survey.

Read more about this consultation

We asked

We asked for your views on our proposed Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDs) strategy. We specifically wanted to know if you thought the strategy would help reduce flooding and pollution, whilst also enhancing the biodiversity and aesthetics of Barnet.

Additionally, we wanted to find out if the purpose and vision of the strategy was clear and if the guidance to both residents and developers was easy to understand.

You said

We received 11 responses to our consultation questionnaire.

• 83% agreed the proposed strategy would help reduce the risk of surface water flooding
• 83% also agreed that the strategy would reduce pollution from urban run-off
• 66% agreed that the strategy would deliver wider benefits such as enhancing the biodiversity and aesthetics of Barnet
• Overall, 66% of respondents agreed with our proposed SuDs strategy, with 0% disagreeing with it.

With regards to our purpose, vision and guidance:

• 83% agreed with our:
  1. guidance for developers
  2. specific guidance for SuDs design
  3. design guidance for SuDs n Highways
  4. Guidance on SuDs adoption by the Council
• 66.67% thought that both the purpose and vision was clear, with 0% disagreeing with the vision of the strategy
• 50% thought that the guidance was easy to understand

We did

Based on the feedback received we are expanding the section within the strategy on ecology and biodiversity. Once the final strategy is complete, it will be presented to Cabinet for approval. Further details on this will be published on this page.