Barnet Council has approved a series of constitutional amendments, following a meeting held on Tuesday, 21 October 2025. The changes, which affect building safety, governance, and financial regulations, were authorised by the Head of Governance, entrusting them with the implementation of the revisions. The decision was made during a meeting, as detailed in the meeting minutes.

Key changes include:

  • Building Safety Accountability: The Executive Director for Growth will now be legally responsible for the overall fire and structural safety of high-rise buildings, designated as the Principal Accountable Person (PAP). A footnote clarifies that in case of a conflict of interest, the responsibilities will revert to the Chief Executive.
  • Governance, Audit, Risk Management and Standards Committee (GARMS): The terms of reference were updated to allow for up to two Independent Members, providing flexibility for future appointments.
  • West London Economic Prosperity Board (WLEPB): Amendments were made to reflect the addition of LB Hillingdon and update the Functions and Procedure Rules, as detailed in the Public reports pack. The addition of LB Hillingdon aligns the WLEPB membership with that of the West London Alliance (WLA) as a whole.
  • Strategic Planning Committee: The power to authorise and issue the Brownfield Land Register was delegated to the Executive Director, with changes published via an Officer Delegated Powers Report. This aims to streamline the process, as the Executive Director Growth Scheme of Delegation already included the power to authorise and issue The Brownfield Land Register (BLR) as detailed in The Town and Country Planning (Brownfield Land Register) Regulations 2017.
  • Council Procedure Rules: Clarifications were made regarding public questions, deputations, and the handling of business at Council meetings, including limitations on Annual Council and Extraordinary Council meetings. These clarifications were prompted by a need to limit public questions and deputations at Annual Council and Extraordinary Council meetings, and to specify that questions at Budget Council meetings must relate to the budget only.
  • Committee Procedure Rules: The Executive Procedure Rules and Committee Procedure Rules were clarified regarding the determination of business at meetings reaching their time limit.
  • Financial Regulations: The General Financial Delegations were amended to clarify that Cabinet can approve capital expenditure of over £1 million up to £25 million per year, as detailed in the Council 21 October 2025 Non-Executive Fees and Charges.
  • Contract Procedure Rules: Amendments were made to Section 13 (Waivers) to remove the provision for officers to make decisions on emergency matters, transferring this responsibility to the Leader.

The council also noted the revised calculations in Appendix A of political balance, as detailed in the Report of the Head of Governance - Political Proportionality. According to the meeting summary, the council consists of 40 Labour members, 18 members of the Conservative Group, 2 members of the Reform Group, 2 independent members, and 1 current vacancy. The summary also notes that there is no current change in the way seats are allocated.

[^1] : The document states, In the unavoidable absence of the Executive Director Growth, or where there is a conflict of interest, these responsibilities will revert to the Chief Executive.