Barnet Council's annual meeting has resulted in an unprecedented political tie, with both the Labour and Conservative groups securing 31 seats each. This outcome, revealed in the results of the local government elections held on May 7, 2026, has led to a closely contested leadership appointment, with Councillor Barry Rawlings ultimately being appointed Leader for a four-year term.
The vote for the Leader saw Councillor Rawlings receive 31 votes in favour, with 31 abstentions and one vote against. This outcome reflects the exact political balance of the council following the recent elections. The Mayor of Barnet, Councillor Danny Rich, cast the deciding vote, appointing Councillor Barry Rawlings as the Leader of the Council. This decision was made by long-standing convention, which dictates that the Mayor's casting vote is used to preserve continuity and ensure the council can continue to function.
The tie in the leadership vote led to the appointment of Councillor Ross Houston as Deputy Leader and Councillor Peter Zinkin as the non-Executive Cabinet Observer and Leader of the Opposition. The council also proceeded to appoint members to various committees and outside bodies, and noted the appointment of Labour Cabinet Members. Officers and group leaders worked to navigate the complex political landscape to ensure the council could continue to function effectively.
Councillor Ross Houston, in nominating Councillor Rawlings, highlighted his track record in delivering significant council programmes, including road and pavement improvements, increased council housing, and investments in parks and green spaces.
He also noted the council's progress towards financial sustainability under Rawlings's previous leadership.
Councillor Houston further elaborated on Rawlings's achievements, including the biggest ever road and pavement programme, fixed and expanded the CCTV, brought in popular community skips, tougher flines for fly tipping and ASB, separate food waste collections and entered the capital contract, bought services in-house, obtained the London living wage accreditation, secured a thousand new council homes, higher affordable housing targets, tougher protections of green belt, vested in biodiversity, a roadmap to net zero, 61% more potholes filled than under the Conservatives, vested millions in our parks and green spaces, refurbished 20 playgrounds, a good offset with outstanding features for children and care, a good CQC, a top rated housing service, a new cultural strategy and a cultural impact award. Over 2,000 electrical vehicle charging points installed, more opportunities for public participation, a borough of sanctuary, a new equality strategy and work to reduce poverty, community safety pop-up hubs and ward walks, over 4,000 trees planted, 80 more school green travel plans, community round tables, a robust violence against women and girls strategy, introduced secure tenancies, secure dementia friendly status, work towards age friendly status, 400 mental health first aiders in schools, co-produced social care and mental health charters, achieved over 74 million in savings, developed a roadmap to financial sustainability, successfully lobbied and got 37 million more central government funding and did all this and more while keeping council tax lower than our neighbours.
The meeting summary states that the vote for the Leader was recorded as 31 votes in favour of Councillor Rawlings, 31 abstentions, and one vote against.
The transcript of the vote count confirms 31 in favour, 31 abstentions and one against.
The interpretation of these abstentions and their suggestion about internal dynamics within the council groups remains a point of interest.
The meeting, held on Tuesday 19 May 2026, saw the establishment of a functional leadership structure by its conclusion, with the appointment of a Deputy Leader, Cabinet Members, and Leader of the Opposition. Further details regarding the council's proceedings can be found in the Agenda frontsheet and the Public reports pack.
