We asked, you said, we did

For more information on this consultation please click here.

We asked

The Homelessness Reduction Act requires new duties on local authorities relating to homelessness. We asked for your views on the key findings from our review of homelessness in the borough. This consultation ran from 6th July 2018 to 29th July 2018.

You said

The survey received 102 responses, 29% from residents and 33% from organisations providing services to homeless clients. Generally, respondents agreed that the main reasons for homelessness in the borough were due to the loss of rented accommodation and family breakdown. In terms of the most effective support, 36% agreed that early support was right while 24% said it was help with finding alternative accommodation. The majority of the respondents also supported more collaborative working between agencies to establish clearer referral routes, as well as procuring more affordable housing. 73% of respondents thought support for rough sleepers should be improved, including outreach work alongside provision of more hostel and supported accommodation to help address housing and other needs.

We did

These views were reflected upon in the drafting of the homelessness and rough sleeping strategy. Collaborative working with agencies, procuring more affordable housing and helping rough sleepers address their housing and other needs are all priorities in the strategy. Additionally, the causes of homelessness and rough sleeping identified by respondents fed into the drafting of these priorities. The full draft strategy can be viewed here.

For more information on this consultation please click here.

We asked

Respondents were asked three questions around the implementation of a Local Lettings Policy (LLP) in Barnet. Firstly, around whether a LLP should give council tenants priority for new homes on in-fill developments on their estate. Secondly, around whether lettings homes through a LLP on in-fill development is a better way to meet local housing need and finally whether a LLP should only be made available to tenants in Band 1 and Band 2. This consultation ran from 16^th October to 8^th December 2017.

You said

A total of 86 responses were received to this survey - 25% from households in the private rented sector, 23% from households rented from the council, 23% owners with a mortgage, 20% owned outright and 5% living in housing association accommodation. 70% agreed that letting homes through a LLP was an effective way to meet housing need. Moreover, they also agreed with priority for council tenants on that estate, suggesting it was both fair and practical to do so. Finally, 67% agreed that a LLP should only be made available to tenants in Bands 1 and 2. Some respondents expressed concern over the exclusion of homes in lower priority bands.

We did

The outcome of this consultation supports the introduction of a LLP, as respondents agree that it is an effective way to meet housing need while also supporting limiting the LLP to priority Bands 1 and 2. As a result, the council’s Housing Allocation Scheme was updated to reflect this change.

For more information on this consultation please click here.

We Asked

There are currently more than 200 care leavers in Barnet, many of whom have experienced challenges in childhood and adolescents. We asked if you thought we should help these Care Leavers (up to the age of 25) by providing Council Tax Relief.

You Said

Residents were invited to complete an online questionnaire to give their views. 21 residents kindly completed the questionnaire with 90% agreeing Barnet Council should help Care Leavers by providing Council Tax Relief. Other feedback included the possibility of extending the support past the first two years and 79% felt the relief should be reduced to nil where a Care Leaver is jointly liable for Council Tax.

We Did

The results of this questionnaire, along with additional supporting evidence, were taken to a full meeting of the authority at Hendon Town Hall on 31 July 2018. We are pleased to say that this request was passed during this meeting and the policy is now in place. Thank you to everyone for taking time to give your views and enabling this to happen.

For more information on this consultation please click here

We asked

We asked for your views on transitions from children’s to adult health services, including the information you receive about transition and what matters to you in ensuring a good transition.

The questionnaire ran from the 3^rd August – 9^th September 2018 with an online questionnaire (anonymous responses) targeted to young people who were approaching or recently gone through transition and their parents/carers. In addition to the questionnaire, two focus group events were held with parents and a young person to discuss transitions, as well as a session at the Barnet Development Team Youth group with young people on information around transitions.

You said

20 responses were received to the questionnaire. Some of the key findings were:

· 50% of respondents strongly disagreed that they/ their child received adequate information about transition to adult health services

· 33% of respondents strongly disagreed that they were clear when they/their child would leave paediatric services

· 75% thought age 14-16 was the right time to receive information about transition

· The top two answers to where respondents would look for information about transitions were don’t know/not sure and their current paediatric healthcare professional.

· 69% rated having a professional who leads on transition who you can contact with any questions as one of the two most important factors.

Please read the full findings in this report.

We did

The responses will be used to inform ongoing actions relating to transitions in health services that are being discussed at a senior level in the Clinical Commissioning Group. These actions and recommendations include:

· Improving process for internal transitions tracking, with a group with representation from health, social care and education, both children’s and adult services to ensure best practice is adhered to in transition and resolve complex cases.

· Improving links between Paediatricians and GPs in transition and the role of GPs in transition, including work to increase uptake of annual health checks for people with learning disabilities over the age of 14.

· Embedding transitions into the commissioning cycle of new services, ensuring that providers have a transition policy and address transitions with young people receiving their service.

· The Local Offer and Preparing for Adulthood protocol are also being updated with more information about transitions. https://www.barnetlocaloffer.org.uk/

For more information please on this consultation please click here

We Asked

We asked you to comment on the possible options identified for Victoria Park, Finchley.

You Said

We received 1,077 responses to the Survey Monkey questionnaire, 11 responses to the Easy Read questionnaire and about 400 people in total attended the 8 pop up events in the park. The top three items that respondents would like to see the money spent on are: new playground facilities, new café and toilets, and resurfacing paths where tree roots have led to an uneven surface.

We Did

The results of the public consultation have been passed to Groundwork London (GWL), who will be using this information and the cost of the each potential change, to produce a final master plan for the site and a priority order for the work. A report will be prepared for the meeting of the Environment Committee on 28 November 2018, seeking agreement to the plan, and the order for the work as it is very unlikely that there will be sufficient money to do everything that has been identified.

For more information on this consultation please click here.

We asked:

We asked you to share your views on the future of West Hendon Playing Fields. Specifically, we asked what you would most like to see on site and provided a long list of potential development options designed to improve the provision of sports and community facilities.

The online engagement exercise was undertaken from 14th May to 3rd June 2018.

You said:

We received 219 responses to the online engagement exercise. The proposed long list of potential facility development options was welcomed by many of you. However, you said it was important to consider the impact of any development near to the Welsh Harp and local wildlife, flora and fauna.

In addition, a number of suggestions were made about the site which were taken into account such as the need for improved park maintenance and management, better connectivity to and throughout the Playing Fields site and a desire to improve and enhance the ecological interest of the wider site.

We did:

We reviewed all the responses submitted and the results were used to inform an Options Appraisal Report for the Council to consider.

Following the Council’s feedback on the options appraisal report, SLC will develop a draft Masterplan for the site based upon the preferred options.

The draft Masterplan will be used to engage further with local residents and stakeholders later this year. Feedback from this engagement together with further consultation with Barnet Council will inform the development of the final Masterplan scheduled for completion by later this year.

For more information on this consultation please click here.

We asked:

We asked you to share your views on the future of Barnet Playing Fields and King George V Playing Fields. Specifically, we asked what you would most like to see on site and provided a long list of potential development options designed to improve the provision of sports and community facilities.

The online engagement exercise was undertaken from 14^th May to 3^rd June 2018.

You said:

We received 137 responses to the online engagement exercise. The proposed long list of potential facility development options was welcomed by many of you. However, you said it was important to consider the impact of any development on the peaceful nature of the site and local wildlife, trees and plants.

In addition, a number of suggestions were made about the site which have been taken into account such as the need for improved park maintenance, better play facilities for children and improved accessibility onto the site.

We did:

We reviewed all the responses submitted and the results were used to inform an Options Appraisal Report for the Council to consider.

Following the Council’s feedback on the options appraisal report, SLC will develop a draft Masterplan for the site based upon the preferred options.

The draft Masterplan will be used to engage further with local residents and stakeholders later this year. Feedback from this engagement together with further consultation with Barnet Council will inform the development of the final Masterplan scheduled for completion by later this year.

For more information on this consultation please click here.

We asked

We asked for your views on the implementation of parking controls, including the introduction of a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) in the roads known as the Westcroft Estate, NW2, in order to address local parking concerns and demand.

You said

We received 88 responses from approximately 415 properties, which equates to an overall response rate of 21%.

93% (80 respondents) told us they are not happy with the current parking situation. 93% (79 respondents) are specifically in favour of a Controlled Parking Zone being implemented and 85% (70 respondents) said they would like parking issues investigated further

We did

Based on the feedback received we are proposing to implement a Controlled Parking Zone on the following uncontrolled roads; Besant Road, Galsworthy Road, Horton Avenue, Howard Close, Lichfield Road, Marnham Avenue, Westcroft Close and Westcroft Way. A statutory consultation the proposed CPZ will commence in the summer of 2018.

For more information on this consultation please click here.

We asked

We asked for your views on proposed Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs) in the Colindale area to help finalise a proposed design of CPZs in the Colindale and Burnt Oak areas.

You said

528 full and completed questionnaires were received from inside the consultation area. The feedback was varied, and was reported to the Hendon Area Committee on 8th March 2018 who have decided to introduce CPZs in Colindale over a smaller area than previously proposed and with amendments to the proposed hours of operation of some CPZ areas. The report with the full analysis of the questionnaire responses can be found here.

We did

Based on the feedback to the consultation, a revised design was approved, and a statutory consultation on the revised design commenced in May 2018.

For more information on this consultation please click here.

We asked

We asked for your views on introducing floating car clubs in Barnet.

You said

We received 58 responses to the online questionnaire. Almost three-quarters of respondents (71%) were in support of the introduction of floating car clubs into the borough. The responses generally supported the outcomes proposed by floating car clubs, such as reducing car ownership, are likely to be achieved.

We did

All the responses were considered and the council will proceed with the introduction of floating car clubs in Barnet, which will take place over the summer of 2018. You can read more about the feedback from the consultation here.