We asked, you said, we did

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Find out more about the results of consultation and engagement activities and how we have used your views to help influence our decision-making process.

Find out more about the results of consultation and engagement activities and how we have used your views to help influence our decision-making process.

  • Friern Barnet School - proposed change to Admission Arrangements for Barnet community schools 2024/25

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    We asked

    We asked for your views on the proposed reduction to the Published Admission Number (PAN) of Friern Barnet Secondary School, from 162 places to 150 places, on the grounds that the school has been undersubscribed for some years and the demand is unlikely to increase in the foreseeable future.


    You said

    We received seven responses to the online questionnaire. Three respondents strongly agreed or agreed to the proposed reduction, one neither agreed nor disagreed, one tended to disagree, and one strongly disagreed.

    Respondents in favour of the proposal gave the reasons that the school has been undersubscribed for some years and the proposed reduction would enable more efficient use of resources.

    The first respondent who disagreed with the proposal gave the reason that there are an increasing number of new developments within the borough, and this may place pressure on secondary schools. However, our school roll projections, which take into account estimated pupil yield from new developments, indicate that demand for secondary places in the area will decline in the coming years. In the unlikely event that a rise in demand is seen, the school will be able increase the admission number, without the need for a formal consultation. The second respondent suggested that we should look at placing some of the pupils from the heavily oversubscribed schools in the area to the undersubscribed schools. Whilst we already offer Friern Barnet places as an alternative school option to local applicants whose school preferences cannot be met, we have a statutory duty to meet parental preference where possible, and we cannot enforce admission to alternative schools.


    We did

    The PAN for Friern Barnet School has formerly been reduced from 162 to 150 places, with effect from 1 September 2024.

  • Tennis in Barnet consultation

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    We asked

    We asked for your views on a set of proposals on the way tennis is accessed across the borough and how they can be run in the future.

    You said

    We received 486 responses to the online questionnaire, and we received three direct emails.

    The summary of the responses is:

    • the majority of users played tennis once a week in parks
    • suitable playable surface, court availability and advance bookings were the most popular answers given to what would make users play more tennis in parks
    • the majority of respondents were happy with the online bookings platform
    • most of the respondents were in favour of some form of charging structure, though a large number of respondents were against any charging structure at all.

    We did

    The results of the consultation were used to form a report that was presented to and approved at the Environment and Climate Change Committee in November 2022 (Agenda Item 10). The committee approved to introduce a sustainable operating model which also seeks to grow tennis participation in Barnet by:

    • introducing an annual season ticket membership which allows the holder to book two 1-hour bookings per week
    • providing three hours free to play on weekdays for all courts (10:00-11:00 and 16:00-18:00)
    • bringing all bookings made by non-season ticket holders and outside of the free to play sessions in line with the existing pay and play model currently in place in Victoria Park and Hendon Park
    • the installation of gated technology to protect and courts from misuse and damage
    • provide for continued usage of the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) online booking system across all sites
    • delivering a borough wide investment programme to bring courts up to a good standard for safe and enjoyable play for all
    • creating a sinking fund to safeguard the future quality and condition of the borough’s tennis courts.

  • Public Participation at Council Committee Meetings consultation

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    We asked

    We would like to thank all respondents for taking the time to take part and provide feedback as part of the consultation exercise.

    We asked for your views on the current ways you can get involved in the council decision making process at council committee and the proposed additional ways for participating at formal decision-making bodies.

    Our aim was to improve and expand the current offer for participation in council decision making meetings. The feedback from the consultation was utilised to help shape the rules in the council constitution on participating in the council decision making process.

    The consultation document was split into two parts, the first focused on the current arrangements for public participation. The second part set out the proposed new approach for public participation at full council and committee meetings. Further details about the consultation are set out in the consultation document.

    You said

    We received 53 responses to our consultation on public participation at council committee meetings. Overall, the responses to the consultation demonstrates support towards enhancing participation at council committee meetings.

    Key themes from the consultation feedback were supportive towards enabling:

    • more people to get involved with the Council decision-making process
    • Public Questions to be raised at other council meetings such as at Full Council and Cabinet
    • lowering the threshold for Petitions to be raised at Council decision-making bodies
    • use of the option to raise Deputations (for groups of people to raise a matter at Council decision making meetings)
    • participation in scrutiny of the Council.

    The detailed breakdown and findings of the consultation are set out in the findings report which is accessible via link the here.

    We did

    We reviewed your feedback from the consultation and utilised the information to develop arrangements to broaden the opportunities for public participation at council decision making meetings.

    Following the analysis on the results of the consultation, a number of arrangements were drafted and subsequently approved at the Full Council meeting on 28 February. The new arrangements will come into effect as of May 2023 as part of the new Council Constitution and include the following processes outlined below.

    • we will adopt the word ‘citizen’ in the context of participation at council committee meetings which includes residents living in Barnet as well as those people who study, work or have businesses in Barnet
    • as part of the Governance Review project arrangements will create a dedicated council democracy webpage to help you understand how they can participate in council decision making by setting out the options including for deputations, petitions, public questions and overview and scrutiny involvement
    • to promote further engagement in council decision making, the arrangements for Public Questions will be expanded to other council meetings such as Council, Cabinet and Committee meetings
    • a new arrangement for deputations (signed by between 5 and 24 people) will be embedded in the council’s governance arrangements
    • we will lower the threshold for petition signatures to be discussed at council meetings and therefore easier for citizens to receive responses.

    The full details of the new arrangements for participating in Council decision making meeting were approved at the Full Council meeting on 28 February 2023 and can be accessed here.


  • Public Rights of Way - Public Path Orders Policy consultation

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    We asked

    We asked for your views on the draft Public Path Orders (PPO) policy, which sets out the council’s approach to requests for changes to Public Rights of Way (PRoW) across the borough, including the criteria, requirements, approach to processing applications and charges.


    You said

    We had a total of 21 responses and overall the feedback was positive. The results include:

    • over 93% of those responding were Barnet residents
    • over 76% agreed that the proposed PPO policy made clear the process for adding, changing and removing PRoW
    • two thirds of respondents agreed that the proposed PPO policy clarified the council’s approach to maintain open paths and extinguishing blocked paths
    • over 80% agreed that the proposed minimum widths were sufficient
    • 57.14% agreed that the PPO policy made it clear the grounds on which interested parties can request additions, changes and removals of PRoW.
    • 68.75% greed that the process for dealing with council generated orders was appropriate
    • over 57% agreed that the determination process is fair to both applicants and PRoW users. 14% disagreed
    • 46.67% agreed that the proposed charges were a fair reflection of the work involved for the council.

    Comments overwhelmingly welcomed the new policy, although some mentioned that the policy could be easier to understand.


    We did

    The responses demonstrated that residents consider Barnet Council to be fair, considerate and clear in what we are trying to achieve, although some improvements are required in making the policy easier to understand by removing jargon.

    The council has agreed to adopt the PPO Policy.

  • Halliwick Recreation Ground - Sustainable Urban Drainage Scheme (SuDS) consultation - Phase 2

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    We asked

    A review of the previous consultation showed that although respondents to the Halliwick Rec SuDS questionnaire stated they generally supported the scheme, some felt they needed further engagement and education to understand the benefits fully.

    In summer 2023, we engaged a specialist to work alongside the project team and consult with the local residents about the scheme. In September 2022, over 1000 educational flyers were distributed to houses locally as well as to shops and businesses along Colney Hatch Lane with posters erected at the park entrances. Further to this a series of engagement and consultation sessions were delivered at Halliwick Rec Ground and St Peter Le Poer Church between October 2022 and January 2023 to increase awareness and understanding of the local flood risk and the scheme itself. During the sessions, designs and images were on display and the local community were given the opportunity to have their say during the design process, ahead of construction of the scheme.

    We asked for your opinions on the concept design and for you to engage with us to inform the design development from concept design through to the final detailed scheme.

    You said

    Across the three dates between October 2022 and January 2023, 267 people engaged with the designs for the Halliwick Rec SuDS and joined in the activities.

    The consultation process proved invaluable in raising awareness of the scheme and improving understanding of the need for flood risk management and the wider benefits that the project will deliver. It also enabled the those who attended the sessions an opportunity to help shape the final detailed design so that it met the needs of the local community.

    The general consensus from the consultation process is that the wetland is welcomed, along with a new central footpath, the resurfacing of existing footpaths, and the new landscaping including the mounding, tree planting and informal children’s play.

    Some concerns were raised during the consultation sessions in relation to maintenance, health and safety and privacy. These have been addressed in the design process and in consultation with the Council’s Parks and Flood Risk Management teams.


    We did

    Suggestions made by the local community throughout the process have been taken on board and designs have been amended accordingly.

    A summary of the outcomes of the engagement sessions and comments made can be found here.

    Key amendments to the designs as a direct consequence of the consultation outcomes have included the reshaping of the mounds, the inclusion of a viewing platform as opposed to an imposing boardwalk, the number and location of tree planting and additional wetland edged planting. Much of the highly desired wider park landscaping and infrastructure improvements have also been incorporated into the scheme including new seating and bins, the creation of a new central footpath and resurfacing of the existing footpaths following the securement of additional funding by the Council and the Friends of Halliwick Rec.

    The scheme has been carefully designed to reduce the flood risk to nearby properties and highways and to increase the amenity and biodiversity. Designs have been shaped in accordance with the outcomes of consultation delivered between June 2022 and January 2023 and in line with available budgets. The final designs for the SuDS at Halliwick Rec Ground were presented during the sessions on 29 January 2023 and can be viewed here.

    Construction is set to commence on site in the Spring/Summer 2023 with completion anticipated by the end of 2023.

  • Draft Barnet Food Plan 2022 – 2027

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    We asked

    We asked for your views on our draft Barnet Food Plan 2022 - 2027.


    You said

    We received 56 responses to our online survey asking for feedback on the Draft Barnet Food Plan. In addition, public health officers delivered presentations and led discussions with seven community groups and council stakeholders. Notes from these sessions as well as written submissions from six community groups and individuals were received and incorporated into the final draft of the Food Strategy.

    Some of the key findings from the consultation were as follows:

    • top priorities identified: addressing climate change across our work on food and ensuring access to healthy, affordable food for all residents especially during the cost-of-living crisis
    • significant desire for more community gardening and growing initiatives and spaces, and more community food initiatives
    • the food environment and unhealthy high streets are seen as a barrier to healthy eating
    • the Draft Food Plan is too vague and uses too much jargon
    • the Draft Food Plan is ‘data-light’ and needs more data
    • the council should lead on promoting plant-based foods and diets to people in Barnet and where it sells and provides food .

    We did

    We reviewed the Draft Food Plan and added more data, including Barnet-specific data on the health of adults and children, and deprivation and food insecurity. Where data is not immediately available, such as information on procurement by Barnet Council, gathering this data has been added to actions outlined in the Food Plan.

    We reviewed the Draft Food Plan to remove jargon and clarify specific areas and phrases that were flagged as unclear.

    We reviewed the three themes and associated actions. We streamlined the thematic areas in line with the priorities of stakeholders and residents. Amending the thematic areas to Healthy People, Healthy Place and Healthy Planet allows for greater emphasis on actions which aim to make Barnet a healthy food place, such as community gardening and growing spaces and coordination and support of the local food system.

    The final draft of the Barnet Food Plan was approved by the Health and Wellbeing Board in January 2023 and you can view it here Barnet-Food-Plan-2022-2027.

  • Engagement on our new Carers and Young Carers Strategy

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    We asked

    We asked for your views on the support services on offer for unpaid carers in Barnet. Through pro-active engagement with residents and community organisations, our aim was to co-produce a shared vision for carers in Barnet.


    You said

    We received 270 responses to the online survey. A further 30 carers and young carers were engaged via remote and in-person focus groups, led by Barnet Carers Centre.

    Feedback from the above co-production and engagement activity has informed the development of our new Carers Strategy.

    Key themes from the survey feedback are as follows:

    • carers have struggled during the pandemic - often not being informed when there is a change to the care and support of the cared for person (e.g., plan for the reopening of day opportunities)
    • the majority of respondents to the survey have reported caring for over 10 years and spend over 21 hours a week on average in their caring role
    • young carers often take on huge amounts of responsibility and need support to balance competing responsibilities and demands. Priorities for young people included pursuing their education, timely mental health and wellbeing support as well as time for themselves and socialising
    • carers value activities that enable them to have regular breaks from their caring responsibilities to support balancing their caring roles with their own personal lives and interests
    • parent carers have emerged as a prominent carers group.

    We did

    The co-production and engagement feedback will be included in the new Carers Strategy 2023 – 2028 and have informed the new priorities and outcomes in the strategy. The next step is to translate this strategy into action 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 Implementation board will be developed to have oversight of strategy implementation including the action plan. Actions to deliver the strategy will be informed by feedback and recommendations from carers.

    We will be publishing the new Carers Strategy and carrying out another round of consultation in February 2023.

  • Golders Green 'Creative Placemaking' engagement

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    We asked

    We asked for your views on cultural and community activity in Golders Green Town Centre, and how you navigate and find your way around the High Street.

    You said

    We received 75 responses to the online questionnaire.

    The summary of the responses:

    the majority of respondents walk to the town centre when they visit

    • over half of respondents visit the town centre in the evenings
    • the most commonly identified buildings and features that make Golders Green unique were the War Memorial, the Hippodrome and the main high street buildings.

    Suggestions for activities to encourage more people to spend time in the town centre in the day included:

    • Green spaces
    • Markets
    • Children’s activities
    • Seating.

    Suggestions for activities to encourage more people to spend time in the town centre in the evening included:

    • Theatre
    • Cinema
    • Music.

    Suggested locations that need better signposting include the Library and parks.


    We did

    The results will be utilised to produce Cultural Activation and Wayfinding Action Plans. A number of projects identified within the Action Plans will be delivered in 2023/24.

  • Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) consultation

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    We asked

    We asked for your views on the proposals on how Barnet’s Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) is be allocated to Area Committees and the priorities on which they spend NCIL.


    You said

    We received 47 responses to the online questionnaire.

    The summary of the responses is:

    • most respondents are supportive of the proposal to allocate Neighbourhood CIL to Area Committees based on the population of that area
    • most respondents are supportive of the proposal to broaden how NCIL may be spent
    • most respondents are supportive of the proposed NCIL spending priorities:

    • Community Engagement

    • Sustainability

    • Community Safety

    • Public Health

    • respondents set out the following as additional priorities for NCIL spending:
      • improvement in parks & greenspaces
      • restoring town centres & public realm
      • bringing community assets back into use
      • enhancing youth services and provision
      • improving air quality
      • making public spaces and streets safer for everyone and working with partners to reduce crime
      • contributing to the use of library services
      • addressing poverty & deprivation and alleviating social isolation/exclusion
    • most respondents are supportive of the proposal to continue the management of the Barnet Road Safety & Parking fund at the borough level.


    We did

    The consultation results will be reported to the Policy and Resources committee with a recommendation to approve the proposals, and to implement them for the Area Committee meetings in the spring.

  • Princes Park play improvements - phase 2 consultation

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    We asked

    We asked for your views on the revised location for the additional play equipment in Princes Park, and views on the revised equipment, as well as the provision of football goals.

    You said

    We received 36 responses to the online questionnaire, and we received five direct emails.

    The summary of the responses is:

    • all respondents were happy with the revised location of the additional play equipment
    • almost all respondents were happy with the revised equipment
    • almost all respondents wanted no football goals.

    We did

    An order has been placed to refurbish the existing playground and install new equipment on the space where the long log currently lies. This is the location and play equipment described in the Phase 2 consultation. The estimated date for this work is April/May 2023.

    An order has not been placed for football goals, so the one existing football goal will remain.

Page last updated: 27 Mar 2024, 12:21 PM