Councillor Zahra Beg has been appointed the new Mayor of Barnet, with Councillor Humayune Khalick named as Deputy Mayor. The appointments were confirmed during an extraordinary council meeting held on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.
Councillor Beg, who becomes the first Muslim woman to hold the mayoral office in Barnet, expressed her honour and commitment to serving all residents with fairness, respect, and enthusiasm. Her appointment is seen as a positive representation of the contributions Muslims make to the nation and the London Borough of Barnet. Imam Hamid Qureshi, her chaplain, expressed pride in her appointment and prayed for her success, hoping she will be an exemplary example.
During her term as Mayor, Councillor Beg plans to focus on supporting two mayoral charities: Cherry Lodge Cancer Care and Give Local Barnet through the Young Barnet Foundation. Cherry Lodge Cancer Care, a small charity in High Barnet, offers free nurse-led information and support to cancer patients, relying on volunteers and donations to expand its outreach services. The 'Give Local Barnet' movement, a borough-wide initiative led by the Young Barnet Foundation and underpinned by Barnet Together, aims to strengthen collaboration, raise local giving, and build community resilience. Its goals include helping community groups access funding, building social responsibility partnerships with local employers, and growing volunteer engagement to support local projects. The Mayor's support will champion this work and encourage wider community participation.
Councillor Khalick will serve as Deputy Mayor, and Councillor Lachhya Gurung has been appointed as Civic Ambassador. In this role, Councillor Gurung will serve as a representative of the London Borough of Barnet, fostering goodwill, civic pride, and positive engagement within and beyond the community.
In addition to the mayoral appointments, the council addressed several administrative matters during the extraordinary council meeting, including constitutional amendments and committee appointments. These included the reinstatement of Area Committees, with deputations and petitions now directed to these committees. The terms of reference for the Health and Wellbeing Board were updated to reflect changes in the national health system and local health structures. Amendments were also made to the membership of the Local Pension Board to increase the number of independent members. Appointments were made to Area Committees, including the designation of chairs and vice-chairs, and nominations were put forward for various outside bodies and committee memberships. These details can be found in the Public reports pack.
The council also paid tribute to the retiring Mayor, Councillor Danny Rich, for his service. During his tenure, Councillor Rich focused on meeting voluntary people in the borough, exploring parts of Barnet he wouldn't normally see, and raising funds for those whose voices are not often heard. He served with distinction, warmth, and humour, making every event special and every person feel valued. He was noted for his pastoral care, organizational skills, and appreciation for volunteers and community organizations. He also helped organize many civic events and worked to raise funds for his charities, including a civic service and civic dinners. His tenure also included welcoming His Majesty King Charles III to the borough.
The agenda for the meeting can be viewed here.
