We asked, you said, we did

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We asked

We asked residents and local stakeholders to suggest local topics that would benefit from scrutiny involvement. All suggestions would be considered by councillors and selected topics would form part of the work programme for the year ahead. The consultation ran for five weeks.

You said

We received 58 topic suggestions from 22 participants to the online questionnaire. All of the respondents are Barnet residents. Feedback came from across the borough covering over 50% of wards. 57% of respondents were aged between 25-64 with 24% stating they have a disability.

We did

Road maintenance and NHS services emerged as the most popular topics from the survey.

Councillors considered your suggestions at the Full Council meeting 11 July 2023. It was agreed that the Overview and Scrutiny committee will undertake a task and finish group to review road and pavement maintenance including future investment options. This will involve councillors looking at the way the service is currently run, speaking to council officers, looking at best examples of services from around the country and speaking to experts. The councillors will then make recommendations on how services can be improved.

You also raised concerns about GP appointments including use of out of hours services. You also want councillors to look at the process of well-planned discharge from the hospital to their homes along with the support patients need to live independently. The Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee will undertake a task and finish group to review these issues, working closely with NHS colleagues and will hold focus groups with service users.

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We asked

We asked for your views on the replacement playground at Barnet Playing Field.

You said

We received 112 responses to the online questionnaire, we spoke to 65 people at the two events we ran in the current playground and we received 4 direct emails. The key themes from the public consultation were the following requests:

• to keep the existing basketball hoop
• to install monkey bars
• for a roundabout
• for a second baby swing
• for surfacing under the picnic benches
• to improve and extend the basketball facilities.

We did

Following the feedback received, we developed a revised plan, which includes:

• the shape of the new playground has been changed so the existing basketball hoop can be kept. We have added a gate into the playground from the side with the basketball hoop
• we have removed the turbo carousel and replaced this with monkey bars
• we have added a roundabout to the design
• we have added a second baby swing to the design
• the picnic benches have been better incorporated into the design, with surfacing under the picnic benches.

The order has been placed for this design, and it is likely to be installed in late autumn 2023.

We are not able to improve and extend the basketball facilities within the playground project. However, we have noted this request for future improvements to the facilities at Barnet Playing Field, when funding becomes available.

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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 Blundell Road and neighbouring streets HA8, to address local parking concerns and demand.

You said

We received 99 responses from approximately 900 properties, which equates to an overall response rate of 11%.

87% of the respondents told us that they or their family or visitors always or often experience parking problems near their property during morning, afternoon, and evening on weekdays. They stated that parking problems are mainly caused by commuter parking, multiple car households, or trade vans/trucks.

Overall, 68% of the respondents indicated they are specifically in favour of a Controlled Parking Zone being implemented with 64% preferring an all-day hours of operation.

The response for the days of operation was about equally divided with 32% preferring Monday to Friday while 33% preferred 7 days a week.

We did

Following the informal consultation feedback, we are developing proposals that would help to improve parking situation in Blundell Road and the surrounding 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 implementation of parking controls, including the introduction of a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) Underhill, in order to address local parking concerns and demand.

You said

We received 291 responses from approximately 1700 properties that were consulted, which represents an overall response rate of 17%.

46% (135 respondents) of the respondents told us they, their family or visitors always, often, or sometimes experience parking problems near their property. They stated that parking problems are mainly caused by multiple car households, commuter parking, or trade vans/trucks.

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

25% respondents said they would like traffic issues to be investigated further to improve road safety at the road junctions and improve traffic flow along Mays Lane, Underhill, and Fairfield Way.

There were also concerns raised regarding parking issues associated with school traffic.

We did

Based on the feedback received we are developing proposals to improve parking, traffic flow, and road safety in the area. The consultation feedback and any measures proposed 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 Barnet First magazine, to help us improve the magazine and ensure it includes more of the type of content you want to read.

You said

We received 48 responses to the online questionnaire. The responses included:

• four out of five respondents said they regularly receive Barnet First magazine at home
• more than half of respondents spent five minutes or more reading the magazine with more than a third spending ten minutes or more
• most respondents read and recycle the magazine but almost one in three keep it for future reference
• almost half of respondents cited local community social media as their main source of local news and information with local newspapers, community newsletters and word of mouth all mentioned by around a third of responders
• four out of five respondents would like to get Barnet Council information direct from the magazine and two thirds from an eNewsletter. A third of responders use the council’s website for information and one in five access Barnet’s social media
• almost 40% of respondents said they had accessed a service or attended an event they first learned about in the magazine
• at least 85% of respondents were happy with the content and 73% with the relevance of the content to themselves. Readability and design and layout both achieved 87% satisfaction.

You told us that the subjects of information you would most like to read about in Barnet First are:

• Community news 48%
• Council and democracy: meetings, councillors 38%
• Parks and open spaces: walks and trails etc. 35%
• Community safety: tackling anti-social behaviour etc. 33%
• Development & regeneration: housing, future plans etc. 32%
• Libraries services and events 31%
• Leisure: sports facilities, activities etc. 29%
• Consultations 27%
• Council Tax and budgets 26%
• What’s on: local venues, community events etc. 27%

We did

We aim to distribute Barnet First to every home in Barnet and we are working closely with our distributors to ensure as few homes as possible are missed. All missed addresses can be reported to barnet.first@barnet.gov.uk

We are strengthening the link between Barnet First magazine and Barnet First eNewsletter to ensure as many residents as possible are aware of and have access to the now weekly eNewsletter.

Going forward we will aim to include more articles on the subjects that you have told us you are interested in reading about.

We will also be running some focus groups in the autumn to find out more about your views on Barnet First magazine. We will add more information here when more details are available.

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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.