We asked, you said, we did

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We asked

We asked for your views on our Children and Young People’s Plan that sets out our ambitions and priorities for children and young people in Barnet. It identifies what all partners will do to deliver this and how we will gauge our success.

You said

We received 31 responses to the online questionnaire. The majority of those responding to the questionnaire agree with all the themes the council is proposing to focus on for the next five years. Over three-quarters of those responding to the questionnaire agreed with all the objectives identified in the Children and Young People’s Plan.

We did

We have published the Children and Young People’s Plan and in response to the consultation feedback, an action plan has been developed and structured against key priorities. The monitoring of this Plan will be by the Children and Young People’s Partnership Board. Regular reports on progress will be presented to the Board for scrutiny. The Partnership, which includes young people representatives, will ensure that agreed priorities against objectives are reflected in partnership work to make certain the impact of the Plan is felt by children, young people and their families.

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We asked

We asked residents, community groups and wider partners to help us develop and co-produce our new Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Policy for Barnet. Topics covered included format of the new policy, inclusive language, experiences of exclusion, EDI priorities and vision for Barnet.

You said

Between February – August 2023, we delivered a series of workshops and community outreach activities. Over 200 people shared their views on how we can create a place where people feel they belong and are respected. Here are the key themes of what people said they want to see:

• ensure everyone can access services and prioritise supporting those most in need
• use inclusive language, reflect Barnet’s diversity and promote EDI work
• more community events and initiatives that foster community togetherness
• education and training on EDI matters and ways to get involved
• protection against discrimination.

We did

We analysed the insights gathered and produced an EDI policy engagement (phase 1) report which included the following recommendations:

• keep the new EDI Policy simple, visual and accessible
• publish an EDI action plan and implement robust processes to monitor progress
• adopt an evidence-based approach to identify and support those most in need
• raise awareness of EDI work and consistently involve residents (living the Community Participation Strategy)
• work closely with voluntary and community sector organisations, businesses, schools, police, NHS and other partners to improve EDI in the borough.

We launched the EDI policy engagement (phase 2) in September 2023 to gather views on the emerging EDI priorities, vision, action planning and to further explore inclusive language. This builds on the insights gathered from Phase 1 and reinforces our commitment to co-producing our new EDI policy.

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We asked

We asked for your views on the proposal to develop an Additionally Resourced Provision (ARP) based in the Queenswell Federation. This is closely linked with one of our priorities in our SEND Strategy 2021-2024 to ensure that there is sufficient high-quality provision in Barnet for children with special educational needs who need access to specialist educational provision.

You said

We received two responses to the consultation. One respondent agreed with the proposal to open the ARP because “Children with disabilities need more help and support”.

We did

We can confirm the 28 place ARP for children with Cognition and Learning needs opened at the start of the academic term, in September 2023.

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We asked

We asked for your views on the proposed Housing Allocation Scheme Strategy in line with the statutory requirement to keep it under review. The review sought to improve the smooth running of the allocation policy and to confirm where discretion is currently taken. This led to three main changes being proposed to the scheme: -

• to revert to a two reasonable offers policy, meaning an applicant would not be sanctioned after refusing their first offer
• after allocating homes to secure tenants living on a regeneration estate, at the point of decanting a non-secure tenant the council will look to
• provide a new home on regeneration estates for any non-secure tenant owed a main homelessness duty (under Section 193(2) of the Housing Act 1996) who has held that non secure tenancy for five years or more at the point vacant possession of the property is sought
• under a local letting policy the council will give priority for local people living on any regeneration estate to be allocated a new home on that estate ahead of those who are otherwise waiting for housing and even if their home is not being demolished.

You said

There were 40 responses to an online questionnaire. Of these respondents:

• 84.2% agreed with the change to revert from one suitable offer to two suitable offers of accommodation
• 73.7% agreed with the proposed new local lettings policy that will ensure that after allocating homes to secure tenants living on a regeneration estate, at the point of decanting a non-secure tenant of at least five years who is owed a main homeless duty, the council will look to provide a new home for them on the estate if there are available properties
• 73% agreed with the proposed new local lettings policy that will additionally give priority to local people living on a regeneration estate to be allocated a new home on that estate ahead of those who are otherwise waiting for housing, even if their home is not being demolished
• Similar percentages (73%) agreed with the proposed clarification regarding discretionary succession, the proposed change to allow any other household member, such as adult children, to be included in the application if they have been part of the household for at least 12 months prior to the application.

We did

The revised Housing Allocation Scheme was approved by the council’s Cabinet on 18 July 2023. Following adoption, the council is:

• working with Barnet Homes and other registered providers to introduce relevant changes.
• seeking to build more homes throughout the borough in accordance with our borough plan via Barnet Homes and other providers.

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We asked

We asked for your views on the proposed Tenancy Strategy which deals with:

• the types of tenancies that the council and registered providers will grant
• the circumstances under which different types of tenancies will be granted
• where they elect to grant fixed-term tenancies, the length of the fixed term
• the circumstances in which they will grant a further tenancy when the fixed term expires.

You said

We received 177 responses to the online questionnaire. 92.5% of respondents were satisfied with the proposals in the Strategy. In particular, you welcomed the proposal to discontinue use of flexible tenancies saying that this would give many ‘greater peace of mind’. Notwithstanding this significant support you were concerned at the continued use of introductory tenancies.

We did

The proposals in the Tenancy Strategy were approved by the council’s Cabinet on 18 July 2023. We will be introducing the various proposals over coming months. We will review the use of introductory tenancies in light of proposed government legislation which affects the use of such tenancies.

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We asked

We asked for your views on the proposed Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy which seeks to prevent homelessness; ensure a sufficient supply of accommodation; and provide support for people who are or have been homeless.

You said

We received 16 responses to an online consultation questionnaire and held a series of focus groups including: care leaver, adult social care clients, and key homelessness services partner agencies. This feedback suggested:

• you wished to see more work on homelessness prevention, particularly the challenge of providing mental health support
• there should be greater ongoing support for those placed in temporary accommodation
• you expressed a wish for intervention at an early stage
• that we should consider using council buildings for temporary accommodation
• you wished to see help offered to people with no recourse to public funds.

We did

The final Strategy document was amended to reflect the comments we received and was approved by the council’s Cabinet on 18 July 2023. As a result:

• we are working with Barnet Homes to introduce new initiatives to prevent homelessness and offer support to those with mental health needs
• the strategy sets out the steps we are taking to support those in temporary accommodation who have support needs
• the strategy places an emphasis on early intervention to prevent homelessness
• we are working with Barnet Homes to identify how we can most effectively provide additional temporary accommodation. This will include considering any underused council land or buildings
• all councils are limited in what help we can offer those with no recourse to public funds. While the strategy does not specifically address this issue we will continue to do all we can to help meet the needs of those qualifying for support.

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We asked

We asked for your views on the draft Housing Strategy 2023 - 28, which sets our strategic direction for housing activity in the borough over the next five year. The themes of the Housing Strategy are:

• Prevent homelessness and support rough sleepers off the streets
• Deliver the right homes in the right places
• Ensure safe, sustainable council housing
• Raise quality and standards in the private rented sector
• Support living well by promoting healthy homes and wellbeing.

You said

We received 63 responses to the online questionnaire, while 44 attended targeted focus groups. Overall, two thirds of respondents were supportive of the vision in the strategy. The comments we received indicated that:

• you were concerned about the lack of housing affordability in Barnet, particularly for middle income households
• you expressed a need for more wheelchair accessible homes in the borough
• there should be more emphasis on tenants living in social housing downsizing to more manageable properties
• you looked for more action to counter damp and mould in all homes irrespective of tenure
• you welcomed the emphasis on homelessness prevention and wanted to see more done in response to the challenge of providing mental health support.

We did

The comments we received were taken into consideration in the final version of the Strategy which was approved by the council’s Cabinet on 18 July 2023. In particular:

• we are working with Barnet Homes to provide new homes for social and affordable rent
• our planning guidelines require developers to provide mobility homes and wheelchair homes
• Barnet Homes has expanded its programme to encourage tenants to downsize
• Barnet Homes has introduced a substantial programme of works to address damp & mould. We are encouraging other housing providers to follow this example
• our Homelessness Strategy addresses the need for supporting homeless people with mental health needs.

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We asked

Following on from concerns raised in relation to commuter and erroneous parking, the Council undertook a parking engagement on proposals to extend the existing North Finchley (FN) Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) to include 11 roads in the Woodside Park area, west of the existing FN CPZ.

You said

We received 122 responses out of 836 letters sent to residents outlining the proposed extension. This represents a response rate of 14%.

When asked if you were in favour of being included in the FN CPZ:

• 41 (34%) said yes
• 64 (53%) said no
• 6 (5%) were not sure and;
• 11 (8%) left this question blank

We did

We have taken several factors into consideration including the feedback received during the engagement, which had indicated that the implementation of a CPZ is not the most appropriate method of control at this time. However, Officers are aware of a number of safety concerns raised in relation to obstruction at junctions and in other locations in the area and the Council will therefore be implementing safety measures such as waiting restrictions (yellow lines) in these locations.

We have written to residents in the area updating them on our decision. You can read this letter here.

If you would like to make any representations in relation to parking concerns you have, please submit any petitions online via barnet.gov.uk(External link) and feedback to your ward members for consideration. On receipt of any concerns raised, we will ensure the location is added to our database of requests for future review. You can also email highwayscorrespondence@barnet.gov.uk with your comments.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those who responded to the engagement request.

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We asked

We asked for your views on the proposed refurbishment of the playground at Sturgess Park.

You said

We received 28 responses to the online questionnaire, spoke to 22 people at the two events we ran in the park, received one direct email and received 22 drawings/comments from students from Parkfield Primary School. The key themes from the public consultation were:

• request to put the two baby swings together, and to have two flat swings together
• request to add a second litter bin, so there are two litter bins in the playground like now
• request to make the small multi play unit more suitable for small children
• there are problems with overflowing litter bins in the park, particularly at the weekend
• request for football goals in the park
• request for better benches and litter bins in the park
• there can be feelings of unfriendliness in the park, and there was a request for more foot patrols.

We did

The order has been placed for the new equipment, and this will be installed in early 2024.

The baby swings and the flat swings have been put together and a second litter bin has been added. The small multi play unit has been changed and now does not include a fireman’s pole.

The comments about overflowing litter bins have been passed on to the team that empties litter bins.

This project and the agreed funding is for the playground only. We are planning to replace the benches and litter bins as part of our regular work. For the football goals we will consider this request further along with the impact on other users of the park.

The request for more patrols in the park has been passed on to our Community Safety Team.

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We asked for your views on proposals to implement a School Streets Scheme enforced by Automatic Number Plate Reading (ANPR) cameras at St Catherine’s Catholic Primary School. This was in response to requests for a School Streets Scheme to deal with traffic congestion around the school entrances.

You said

We distributed 157 letters to the area around the school asking for views on our proposals. We received 106 responses to the consultation, with an overall 24% rate of support for the proposal, with 67% of respondents opposing the scheme.

We did

We took all the feedback into consideration and a Chief Officer’s Decision was made not to proceed with the implementation of the School Streets Scheme at St Catherine’s Catholic Primary School.