We asked, you said, we did

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We asked

We asked for your views on the Culture and Community Action Plan and the Wayfinding Action Plan for Golders Green Town Centre. The Action Plans have been produced in response to the priorities set out in the Town Centre Strategy, in consultation with the local community.

You said

We received 42 responses to the online questionnaire. 90% of respondents were Barnet residents. Over 60% of respondents have lived in the area for over 20 years.

The summary of responses to the Cultural & Community Action Plan

The majority of people strongly agree with the aims of the Culture & Community Action Plan.

The projects and actions that people would like to see prioritised include:

• boosting the visibility of existing cultural activities on the high street
• reviving under used spaces and encouraging better engagement with young people
• celebrating the unique local heritage of the area and promote its diversity; for example through commissioning of local artists and performers
• facilitating and encouraging new and existing groups to connect and expand their networks.

The summary of responses to the Wayfinding Action Plan

The majority of people strongly agree with the aims of the Wayfinding Action Plan

The projects and actions that people would like to see prioritised include:

• enhancing and celebrating the gateways and arrival points into the town centre

improving greening in the town centre and signposting to the surrounding parks and green spaces that are seen as an important part of the identity of Golders Green

• making the high street more welcoming and attractive – make it a destination by encouraging more independent retailers and celebrating the thriving food culture.
• creating more spaces to dwell and meet.

We did

We will be including the outcomes of the engagement into the emerging Public Realm Framework for the Town Centre and will also identify and deliver specific placemaking projects over the next 12 months.

The Golders Green Town Team was established was October 2022 and meet monthly to explore and establish initiatives for improving the town centre. We will be supporting the Town Team to activate the temporary space at Golders Green Crescent, and we will continue to do that to deliver on the community priorities above. The Town Team organised and hosted a family focused art workshop in mid-June 2023 in the new space and further activation is planned over the course of the summer.

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We asked

We asked for your views on the draft Air Quality Action Plan for 2023 - 2028, in particular, your views on the actions and strategies proposed within the action plan.

You said

A total of 111 questionnaires were completed, the majority of which were from residents.

Eight written responses were also received via email from individuals and interest groups.

The majority of respondents agree that poor air quality is an important issue within Barnet. The topics most important to people, or most often commented on, included the improvement of health and wellbeing, the reduction of pollution from traffic, and construction and development. Of particular concern was the health and wellbeing of vulnerable populations; elderly, children, those with chronic illnesses and the air quality impacts of busy roads (A-roads, motorways, high streets).

Respondents generally expressed that they see air quality as an issue which affects many areas of their lives. Overall, the majority of respondents agreed with the council’s plan to target particular sources of air pollution within the new Air Quality Action Plan, and the methods proposed to do so.

We did

Feedback from this consultation informed the final version of the new Air Quality Action Plan 2023 - 2028. The final version of the plan will be approved by the Greater London Authority, and then approved by representative Councillors.

The Action Plan will be published this Summer on the council’s website.

The Action Plan is a working document and will be updated yearly with the Air Quality Annual Status Report.

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We asked

We asked for your views on the draft Carers and Young Carers Strategy, in particular views on the strategy priorities to inform the strategy action plan.

You said

We received 12 written responses to the strategy consultation.

In addition, 10 young carers joined a focus group to discuss strategy outcomes and develop strategy actions specific to young carers.

Feedback from adult carers highlighted the importance of involving multi-agency partners in the identification and support of carers; the need for a clear offer for carers, and clarification on support available across different types of carers.

Feedback from young carers included a range of positive ideas about early identification, support with mental health and wellbeing, and to promote a positive and supportive school experience.

Feedback from Parent carers included requests for increased access to metal health support for parent carers and their children, more information advice and guidance for physical disabilities, clearer signposting to services available to them and an integrated approach from all Council services and the NHS to ensure smoother transitions when accessing services.

We did

Feedback from this consultation informed the final version of the new Carers Strategy 2023-2028 and has been used to shape the draft strategy actions.

The final Carers and Young Carers Strategy 2023-2028 was approved at the Adults and Safeguarding Committee and the Childrens, Education and Safeguarding Committee in April 2023.

The strategy will be published this summer.

The next step is to translate the strategy themes into an action plan so that it makes a real and lasting difference to the health and wellbeing of carers of all ages.

A Carers and Young Carers Strategy Partnership Board will be established with carer input from September 2023. This board will have oversight of strategy implementation including the action plan.

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We asked

We asked for your views on Barnet’s approach to managing adult social care debt that arises due to non-payments of care contributions. Like other councils, Barnet charges customers for a range of adult social care services in accordance with statutory requirements and local charging policies.

We asked for views on an overarching debt management policy for adult social care in the borough, to ensure a consistent, transparent and fair approach to recovery of monies owed to the council.

You said

We received a total of 104 questionnaires, 89 were online and the remaining 15 were written responses. The responses included:

• the majority of respondents were in favour of the key principles set out in the policy, though many respondents asked that we make every effort to help prevent debt by engaging early and giving opportunity to pay, before the council started any legal proceedings
• the majority agreed that Direct Debit was the best way to avoid debt
• one-third of respondents strongly agreed that nominated persons’ failure to make regular payments should be chased by the council
• about a quarter strongly agreed that the council should ask for Power of Attorney documentation before allowing a nominated person to manage someone’s financial affairs.

You can read the full consultation report here.

We did

All the feedback from the consultation was given due consideration. The final policy has been approved and published on the council’s website along with other Adult Social Care policies. Officers have proceeded with appropriate debt management and recovery actions following the Adult Social Care Debt Recovery and Management Policy.

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We asked

At the end of 2022, following the conclusion of Phase 1 of the A1000 Cycle Lane Engagement, which consisted of a series of informal face to face engagement workshops, we set up Phase 2, a formal consultation.

Phase 2 consisted of an online questionnaire that asked you, and the wider community, your views on the options of removing, or keeping and improving the A1000 Cycle Lane between Tally Ho Corner and the boundary with LB Haringey. The suggested improvements for the A1000 Cycle Lane that were put forward during Phase 1 of the workshops were also used to help inform the online consultation.

Phase 2 also asked you for information on the usage of the Cycle Lane; your views on the scheme as it currently was and how it could look in the future, if it was kept; and demographic questions to understand how opinions on the lane may vary between different groups.

The final question asked for your views on the future of the A1000 Cycle Lane which simply asked for a choice of response between:

1. ‘I want the A1000 Cycle Lane to be made permanent but the design to be amended’ or,
2. ‘I want the A1000 Cycle Lane to be removed’.

You said

We received a total of 747 responses to the online consultation. There was a mix of opinions expressed in the responses. These reflected such factors as your preferred or usual mode of travel, how close you live or worked to the A1000, whether you were a resident or business owner.

A high-level summary of the findings is provided below:

• those whose preferred mode of travel is walking or cycling were more in favour of keeping and improving the Cycle Lane, as were those not directly impacted by the current infrastructure and that is understandable
• the questions also reflected the views of people with protected characteristics. As with mode and location, we shall cover the diversity of responses below
• there were a broad range of views and comments on how you use the A1000 and its cycle lane and what improvements you would like if it remained
• in terms of whether the cycle should be made permanent or removed, the majority of respondents wanted the A1000 Cycle Lane made permanent:

• a majority of 62% wanted to see the A1000 Cycle Lane made permanent but the design to be enhanced - that is, bring it in line with design standards for a permanent piece of cycling infrastructure
• a minority of 33% wanted to see the Cycle Lane removed and 5% of respondents provided no response to this question.

You can read more information in the full consultation findings report.

We did

Following conclusion and review of the online consultation we carried out the following:

• a report was presented to the Environment and Climate Change Committee on 25 January 2023, recommending retention of the Cycle Lane and to improve it so that it meets standards for a permanent piece of infrastructure. This recommendation was agreed
• with regard to the experimental measures on the A1000 Cycle Lane that were introduced and became operational in March 2022, the mandatory objection period has now expired. We would like to thank everyone who presented their views. The council has considered all the comments and assessments regarding these experimental measures. Reflecting these, and also the findings from the subsequent face-to-face engagement and online consultation, the experimental measures were formally made permanent on the 22 June 2023
• we are now preparing to undertake investigations and design studies to improve the Cycle Lane to a standard in common with relevant national standards.

In developing the design, we will ensure that the views of both those who provided feedback for the experimental measures and contributed to the face-to-face engagement and online consultation are taken into account. Where it is possible to address specific concerns, we will do so. Our aspiration is to address the A1000 as a transport corridor, a destination and a place to live that works for all people and modes of transport, but that acknowledges the needs of sustainable transport as a current and increasing future necessity.

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We asked

To address the concerns raised by several residents about increased parking pressure in some of the roads, we asked for your views on a review of West Hendon ‘WH3’ Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ), including operation hours and days. We also asked for your views on the introduction of a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) in Edgeworth Close, Neeld Crescent, and Rundell Crescent.

The results have been separated below to highlight the responses for both the existing CPZ and proposed introduction of CPZ in the surrounding areas.

You said

West Hendon ‘WH3’ Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) operations hours and days.

We received 188 responses from approximately 1700 properties, which equates to an overall response rate of 11%.

5 out of 17 roads that were consulted indicated they would like changes to the CPZ operational hours:

• Audley Road 55.5%
• Bertram Road 53.3%
• Dartmouth Road 80%
• Montagu Road 100%
• Park Road 80%

20% of those that responded said they would like parking issues to be investigated further to increase parking opportunities for residents and improve traffic flow.

Edgeworth Close, Neeld Crescent, and Rundell Crescent

We received 56 responses out of a total of 253 properties that were consulted, representing a 22% overall response rate.

71% of those that responded from the three roads were in favour of a Controlled Parking Zone being implemented. The road-by-road response was as follows:

• Edgeworth Close 53%
• Neeld Crescent 83%
• Rundell Crescent 70%

We did

Based on the feedback received, we are developing proposals for to adapt the existing WH3 CPZ in some of the roads to address the parking pressures. We will also develop proposals for the introduction of a CPZ in Edgeworth Close, Neeld Crescent, and Rundell Crescent.

The proposals will be discussed and agreed with your Ward Members and subject to funding availability, will be progressed to statutory consultation and implementation.

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We asked

We asked for your views on the implementation of parking controls, including the introduction of a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) in Oakleigh Road South and neighbouring streets N11, in order to address the local parking concerns and demand.

You said

We received 278 responses from approximately 1350 properties, which equates to an overall response rate of 21%.

64% of respondents told us they, their family or visitors experience parking problems near their property. They stated that parking problems are mainly caused by multiple car households, schools, and local businesses.

Of those properties consulted, 15% objected to the introduction of a Controlled Parking Zone.

19% of those that responded said they would like traffic issues investigated further to improve road safety and accessibility, monitor the impact of the planned closure of Arnos Grove Station Car Park and the upcoming and ongoing developments in the neighbourhood.

We did

Based on the feedback received, we are developing proposals to improve traffic flow, safety, and accessibility at the road junctions and on road bends. We will keep the parking situation under review to assess the impact of ongoing changes in the area.

The proposals will be discussed and agreed with your Ward Members and subject to funding availability, will be progressed to statutory consultation and implementation.

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We asked

We asked for your views on the additional play equipment proposed for Hendon Park.

You said

We received 108 responses to the online questionnaire; we received one direct email and we spoke to 54 people at the event we ran in the park. The key themes from the public consultation were:

• the majority of respondents would like the new equipment located as close to the existing equipment as possible
• the majority of respondents liked the equipment proposed
• we received some comments about the poor paths and surfacing in the existing playground.

We did

The order has been placed for the new equipment, and this will be installed in Autumn 2023. The equipment will be located near to the existing playground.

The two pieces of equipment will be connected with surfacing, and we will be looking at how we can connect them to existing surfacing in the park.

This project and the agreed funding is for the new equipment only. Any surfacing work in the existing playground would be a separate project, which would require funding.

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We asked

We asked for your views on the equipment and layout proposed for the new accessible and inclusive playground at Victoria Recreation Ground.

You said

The consultation consisted of three online questionnaires. We received 24 responses to the professional questionnaire, 71 responses to the family and friends’ questionnaire and 16 responses to the potential user’s questionnaire. We also received seven direct emails.

The key themes from the public consultation were:

• respondents asked if the equipment can be used by children and adults, and those in wheelchairs
• over 80% of respondents said they would visit an inclusive playground
• concern that the existing playground at Victoria Recreation Ground will be removed
• request for more swinging items
• request for more sound and sensory items
• request for climbing equipment
• concern that the new equipment will be vandalised
• request for toilets including Changing Places toilet nearby
• respondents asked what the parking arrangements would be.

We did

Following the feedback, we are working on a revised design including some different equipment.

The equipment that will be included in the final design can be used by a wide age range and physical abilities. The intention is that there will be something for everyone. Most of the equipment can be used by children and adults. Some equipment can only be used by children, as we have been unable to source an adult version. There is equipment that can be used by those in wheelchairs, such as the swing, the roundabout and the seesaw. We are unable to have a hoist in the playground.

The existing playground at Victoria Recreation Ground will remain; this is an additional playground which aims to be accessible and inclusive.

There are several swinging items in the design including a wheelchair swing, two mirage swing seats and a nest swing. We are not planning on adding more swinging items to the design.

We have added more sound and sensory items into the revised design, with items that can be banged, spun and pushed, that create sound and/or patterns.

We are working to see if we can install a climbing net or similar into the revised design.

All the equipment has a lifetime guarantee. Vandalism can occur and we have tried to design the playground with this in mind.

New Barnet Leisure Centre is very close to the proposed playground. It has one Changing Places toilet and two accessible toilets.

In the local area there are the following parking options: the car park for the New Barnet Leisure Centre, the small car park on Park Road which is part of the park, and on street parking. Once the Fair Play Barnet playground has been constructed, we plan to undertake a user survey to understand if there are any specific challenges or barriers that require action. We will also listen to the comments from local residents.

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We asked

We asked for your views on our proposal to stop accepting cheques as a payment method. We wrote to 638 residents who had paid the council by cheque since April 2022, to ask them for their views, as well as carrying out an online questionnaire.

You said

The percentage of cheque users who responded saying they strongly opposed the proposal was around 15%, with a further 1% tending to oppose it. This consultation also captured reasons why people preferred to pay by cheque, with all cheque users since April 2022 subsequently sent guidance on how to switch their payment method based on these responses.

We did

The council has made the decision to stop accepting cheques as a payment method.

If you need support moving to an alternative payment method, please get in touch with the relevant team. Contact details will be on the bill or invoice you are paying.