We asked, you said, we did

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We asked

We asked for your views on the updated My Say Matters: Barnet’s Child Participation and Family Involvement Strategy (2025 – 2027). This strategy outlines how we involve children, young people, and families in shaping our services, making decisions, and sharing feedback.

We wanted to understand how well the updated strategy reflects what matters to you, what we’re doing well, and where we need to improve. Our aim was to ensure the strategy remains meaningful, inclusive, and representative of the diverse voices across Barnet.

You said

We received two responses to our consultation on the updated My Say Matters Strategy.

The first respondent provided detailed suggestions for improving outdoor spaces and safety in Barnet, including:

• Installing simple playground equipment (e.g. swings) in green spaces, especially in New and East Barnet, High Barnet, and Hadley Green.
• Creating safe cycling and pedestrian routes, particularly along roads like St Alban’s Road.
• Introducing a 30mph speed limit on weekends to encourage walking and cycling.
• Encouraging neighbouring boroughs (Hertfordshire and Enfield) to collaborate on pedestrian infrastructure and tackling waste dumping.

The second respondent expressed overall support for the strategy and its priorities, noting that it effectively promotes the involvement of children and families in shaping the services that support them.

We did

We have shared the suggestions for improving Parks and Open Spaces with the Parks and Open Spaces Team for their consideration.

We are now moving forward with implementing the My Say Matters: Barnet’s Child Participation and Family Involvement Strategy (2025 – 2027) informed by the feedback received. The final version of the strategy will be published on this webpage.

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We asked

We asked for your views on implementing a School Street outside Woodridge Primary School

The School Street Schemes are looking to be delivered under experimental traffic orders for up to 18 months. During this time there will be an opportunity to feedback comments regarding the experimental order. There will be a review within the 18 months to see if the schemes will be retained, altered or removed. 

Key elements of the School Street scheme proposals are:

• the proposals would see Southover (from the junction with Arlington) closed to general traffic during school drop off and pick up times, 8.15-9.15am and 2.45-3.45pm, Monday to Friday, term time only. 
• during these hours this section of road will become a Pedestrian and Cycle Zone. The timed closure will be enforced with the use of ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras. 
• only residents, local businesses located within the School Street, blue badge holders requiring access within the School Street, permanent school staff, Hackney Carriages and emergency vehicles will be allowed vehicular access on the School Street during the prescribed times. 

You said

We received 45 responses to our questionnaire.

• 22.2% of respondents supported the scheme
• 77.7% of respondents opposed the scheme

We did

Having reviewed all feedback, we have decided to not implement a school street for Woodridge Primary School.

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We asked

We asked for your views on implementing a School Street outside The Hyde School.

The School Street Schemes are looking to be delivered under experimental traffic orders for up to 18 months. During this time there will be an opportunity to feedback comments regarding the experimental order. There will be a review within the 18 months to see if the schemes will be retained, altered or removed. 

Key elements of the School Street scheme proposals The Hyde School: 

• the proposals would see Hyde Crescent (between both sides of Goldsmith Avenue) closed to general traffic during school drop off and pick up times, 8.30-9.15am and 2.45-3.30pm, Monday to Friday. 
• during these hours this section of road will become a Pedestrian and Cycle Zone. The timed closure will be enforced with the use of ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras. 
• only residents, local businesses located within the School Street, blue badge holders, and emergency vehicles will be allowed vehicular access on the School Street during the prescribed times. 

You said

We received 24 responses to our questionnaire:

• 50% of respondents supported the scheme
• 41.6% of respondents opposed the scheme
• 8.3% of respondents neither supported or opposed the scheme

We did

Having reviewed all feedback, we have decided to proceed with the implementation of the school street scheme for The Hyde School

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We asked:

We asked for your views on a proposal to continue or close the Network service. An 8-week public consultation on the future of the service was undertaken from 19 May 2025 to 14 July 2025.

You said:

132 people responded to the consultation. Of these, a total of 43 were people who use (25 people) or have used (18 people) the Network, 8 were friends or family, and 22 were residents. Whilst not the primary audience for the consultation, 59 professionals also responded. This group included people employed by the NHS, the council and the VCS, responding as individuals.

Of the 43 people who use or have used the service, 30 people or 70% opposed closing the Network and 11 people or 26% supported closure.

Of 8 friends/family, 8 people or 100% opposed closure.

Of residents, 14 people or 64% opposed closing the Network, and 7 people or 32% supported cloure.

Of professionals, 44 people or 74% opposed closing the Network and 12 people or 21% supported closure.

In total, 96 people or 73% of all groups who responded to the consultation opposed the closure and 30 or 23% supported closure.

The consultation showed that a high proportion of people who use or have used the Network also use other mental health services. 56% were engaged with other mental health services. The most common services used were the Barnet Wellbeing Service, the mental health trust, NHS talking therapies and Mind, with the most common frequency of engagement being weekly.

Of the 59 professionals who responded to the consultation, 35 were NHS staff. Comments from professionals show that they make referrals to cover the period while people are waiting for other mental health support; and also that people already engaged with secondary mental health services are being referred to the Network.

People who opposed the closure of the Network cited the positive impact it had on supporting people’s mental health needs. Some respondents appreciated the courses and groups the Network provide. Some respondents also indicated that closing the service would leave a gap and increase pressure and waiting times for other services. There were also specific references to the Network service filling a gap in provision whilst people wait for NHS mental health services. There were views shared that people use the service to help with their isolation and support opportunities for socialisation.

People who supported the closure of the Network cited the following: concerns around the council’s financial position and that there were possible cost efficiency opportunities and ways in which the funding could be better utilised. Others stated that there were alternative services available in the community that could potentially support people who use the Network Service. Some people raised concerns about service quality and effectiveness and low usage of the service. Some respondents identified that there were opportunities to make service improvements or redesign the offer.

We did:

We took all the feedback into consideration. On 16 September 2025, Cabinet approved the decision to close the Network Service due to decline in usage of the service; availability of alternative services to meet the same needs; and the council’s financial position. In line with the post decision implementation plan set out in the Cabinet report, it is necessary to review and restructure the service.

The recommendation approved by Cabinet stated there will be a robust transition plan to ensure that current programmes being delivered are completed, and that people who may require onward referral are appropriately assisted to access support. To ensure that referral pathways for information, advice and support, and ongoing social care involvement are understood, the council’s social care teams will continue to be part of the joint case meetings (JCM), which are weekly referral meetings held by the Wellbeing Hub and the North London Mental Health Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

In implementing the transition plan, social care council officers will work in partnership with NHS and voluntary and community sector agencies to ensure a stable transition and monitor any impact. As part of the transition plan, any residents with Care Act eligible needs will be referred to the council’s mental health social work team to undertake an assessment, with support, information and signposting as appropriate with them.

Residents who are currently using the service will receive a letter from their key worker. If residents feel they need additional support they can have a Care Needs Assessment by our Adult Social Care Teams, who can tailor support to them individually. They can do this by telephoning Social Care Direct on 020 8359 5000.

Following the Cabinet decision Adult Social Care has written to key referrers, partners and stakeholders informing them of the Cabinet decision.

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We asked

As part of our engagement on proposals for new homes and public spaces at Plot 24A, 24B and Neighbourhood Square North at Brent Cross Town, we held a public consultation between 21 May and 3 June 2025. This included an in-person event at the Brent Cross Town Pavilion and an online consultation with information boards and a feedback form.

We received nine responses in total and had 94 visits to the consultation website.

We asked for your thoughts on proposals for:

• Plot 24A, which will deliver 80 new affordable homes
• Plot 24B, which will deliver 170 homes for sale with ground floor retail
• Neighbourhood Square North and the Plot 22–24 Courtyard, which will provide new public spaces designed for social interaction, relaxation and play

You said

The feedback received was generally positive, with a number of key themes emerging:

• 78% of respondents supported the principle of new homes at Plot 24; there was strong support for affordable and family-sized housing, with calls to prioritise these as the designs progress
• 78% also rated the proposed building design positively
• Respondents highlighted the importance of green space, play areas and sustainable design; and supported the courtyard which could provide this
• The inclusion of independent shops, cafés and local services at ground floor level was welcomed
• Neighbourhood Square North was seen as a valuable future space for social gathering, relaxation and community activity, with particular interest in trees, seating, pedestrian access, and public art
• Suggestions were most frequently made to ensure sufficient parking is accessible for residents, and ensuring that the design reflects the local character and is well integrated with existing infrastructure.

We did

All feedback provided during the consultation has been carefully analysed. Members of the project team have reviewed all of the feedback received and a number of the comments have been responded to in the technical documents which will be submitted as part of the planning application in due course.

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We asked

We asked for your views on the proposed refurbishment of the main playground at Halliwick Recreation Ground.

You said

We received 58 responses to the online questionnaire, one direct email and we spoke to 34 people at the two pop up events in the park. The key themes from the public consultation were:

• there is not enough for older children to do
• request to keep the existing pair of single flat swings
• the spire climbing net was the most popular piece of equipment
• request to include monkey bars
• request to include bars for children to somersault
• request for more picnic benches in the play area
• swap colour scheme to more muted colours.

We did

The order has been placed for the refurbished playground, and this is likely to be installed in autumn 2025. This work is being funded by East Area Committee and by other funding sources that the Friends of Halliwick Rec have bid for, including the London Marathon Foundation Active Spaces Fund. In total there is now £275,000 available for this playground.

The design of the playground has been revised to include more equipment for older children with the inclusion of a sensory dome, which has lots of climbing parts and many children will be able to climb on the equipment at the same time. The spire climbing net has been removed to allow for the sensory dome, which is a larger piece of equipment with more activities.

The tower unit, which is suitable for older children now has monkey bars.

Two flat swings and two somersault bars have been included in the design.

The number of picnic benches in the design has increased from one to three.

The colours of the equipment have been changed to more muted colours, and the entire playground is now fenced.

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We asked

Between September and November 2024, we invited residents, stakeholders, and community groups to help shape a new Transport Strategy. We gathered views through a survey that received over 500 responses from all parts of the borough, community workshops and targeted engagement with transport experts and representatives.

You said

Your feedback highlighted key priorities and concerns:

Safety and Accessibility:

Safety was identified as a key priority in setting priorities for use of the kerbside. There was strong support for 20mph zones in places with more vulnerable road users – 88% agreed that schools should be 20mph zones, 70% around hospitals, 68% residential areas, and 61% care homes.

Walking and Wheeling (the equivalent to walking using wheelchairs and other mobility aids):

While 60% of respondents said they feel safe walking or wheeling around the borough, 28% reported that they do not. Particular issues face people with restricted mobility.

Cycling:

Only 10% agreed they felt safe cycling around the borough. When asked what would make people feel safer cycling, 42% said more cycle lanes, 33% said fewer cars on the road, and 17% said an increase in secure resident cycle parking facilities around the borough would encourage them to cycle more.

Public Transport:

Engagement showed that people felt public transport services should be more frequent, varied and better connected – especially East-West across the Borough.

Electric Vehicles (EVs):

42% of respondents said they would be more likely to use EVs if they were more affordable. 30% highlighted improved technology, such as longer battery life and faster charging, as a motivating factor to use EVs.

Sustainability:

70% of respondents expressed support for the Transport Strategy’s goal of contributing to Barnet’s Net Zero targets.

We did

Your feedback directly shaped the final Transport Strategy, based around a vision statement reflecting what you told us during the engagement:

“We want a Barnet where by 2042 transport works for everyone, and where sustainable options have a positive impact on our residents, businesses, and environment.”

We have taken what you told us to set four key themes to explain what we will do to deliver on what you have told us are your priorities:

• safe, accessible and healthy transport for everyone
• sustainable transport options for all through an integrated transport network
• thriving people, neighbourhoods and communities in all parts of the borough
• innovation in how transport is delivered in Barnet.

Click here to read the feedback in more detail and the actions we will be taking.

On 22 July 2025 the Cabinet approved the publication of the Transport Strategy, the Action Plan, and the Executive Summary. The link to the papers can be found here: Agenda for Cabinet on Tuesday 22nd July, 2025, 7.00 pm.

You can find the Transport Strategy 2025-2042 here: Appendix B - Transport Strategy.pdf.

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We asked

Barnet Councillors asked the local community to put forward suggestions for topics that could be considered at Scrutiny Committees and by task and finish groups over the year ahead.

You said

We received a total of 48 responses from the online survey and 50 from other sources making a total of 98.

There were a wide range of topics suggested including youth services, mental health and wellbeing of young people, street cleaning, environmental crime, waste services, housing, road maintenance and improving local health services.

We did

The topics were collated by the Scrutiny Team who undertook further research to determine if each issue was suitable for a report to a committee, a task and finish group review or another course of action. It was also important to determine if outcomes and improvements to services were likely to be achieved by scrutinising the issue.

A long list of all the topics was considered by Scrutiny Councillors at a special session on work programming. This resulted in a short list of topics for final decision.

The Committee/Sub-Committee work programmes and task and finish group topics were agreed at the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 12 June 2025. Details of the shortlisting process and agreed topics can be reviewed here: Agenda for Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Thursday 12th June, 2025, 7.00 pm At the meeting, local Councillors expressed their thanks to all residents and community groups who had responded to their request for topics.

The work programmes 2025-26 for the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the Adults and Health and Children and Education Sub-Committees can be viewed here: Browse Committee Work Programmes (moderngov.co.uk)

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We asked

We asked for your views on a new community space that we are developing at Brent Cross Town, as well as the type of services and activities that you’d like us to provide there. We also asked for your views on the types of events and activities you would like to see included in Brent Cross Town’s community events programme for 2025 and beyond. Our aim was to hear from as many local people as possible so that we could develop spaces, events and activities that everyone can be a part of.

You said

Between October and December 2024, we encouraged residents to complete our community space and events surveys through a newsletter drop in the local area, on our website and monthly e-newsletters. We received a total of 185 responses, including 79 online responses and 106 paper responses conducted during events, and in-person engagement at Claremont Way retailers and Claremont Park.

48% of respondents said they would like the community space to be a flexible multi-purpose space. Analysis of the feedback data showed a strong preference for:

• Arts & craft workshops
• Movie screenings
• Services such as mental health support
• Mobile library provision
• Bookable space (e.g. for birthday parties).

The most popular events mentioned that residents would like to see as part of Brent Cross Town’s programme are:

• Sports events
• Children events
• Cultural events

We did

Based on our findings from the community survey and engagement, our vision is to create a space that is welcoming to all ages and backgrounds, multifunctional and with an operational model which seeks to maximise its positive impact on community well-being. Barnet Council is now looking for an experienced operator from the voluntary sector, a community interest company or any other relevant interested organisation to run the space, and the selection process is due to start in August with the intention of appointing an operator by the end of the year.

There will be open days on Thursday 7 and Friday 8 August from 9.30am to 11.30am at Brent Cross Town’s Visitor Pavilion where you will have the opportunity to visit the community space, explore how it is is developing and discover the part you could play in bringing this new place to life. If you are interested in attending the open days or would like more details, please email transformingbx@barnet.gov.uk(External link)

More information about the space can also be found on our website at transformingbx.co.uk/communityspace(External link)

You can also discover events happening at Brent Cross Town at brentcrosstown.co.uk/news