Barnet Council's Call-In Sub-Committee has recommended that future housing deals include comprehensive financial assessments to ensure robust decision-making.
The committee met on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, to discuss the council's proposed acquisition of 208 affordable homes as part of Phases 4 and 5 of the Dollis Valley Estate Regeneration scheme. However, the original decision was deemed no longer viable due to the withdrawal of funding by the Greater London Authority (GLA).
As a result, the committee agreed to take no further action on the original decision. Nevertheless, they put forward three recommendations for any future consideration of the matter by the Cabinet.
These recommendations include ensuring that the minutes of the Call-In Sub-Committee meeting form part of future Cabinet papers, that Cabinet papers are referred to the relevant scrutiny sub-committee with sufficient time for consideration, and crucially, that a comprehensive financial assessment of all options be included in the relevant papers.
Councillor Emma Whysall, Vice Chair of the committee, explained the situation regarding the GLA's funding withdrawal. Councillor Sachin Rajput moved the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Whysall. The committee expressed hope that these measures would lead to a more thorough decision-making process in the future.
