A few words from the Leader
The election of a new Mayor of London on 1 May has sent a clear message that the suburbs of London have spoken. As a council we look forward to engaging with the new Mayor and his team to ensure a fair deal for residents and businesses over the next Mayoral term. This new partnership working with the Mayor on strategic issues of importance to the people of Barnet will provide long-term benefits as we continually work towards our vision of creating the most successful and attractive city suburb in the country.
As part of our vision to create a vibrant place for people to live and work, investment into our libraries has formed part of our infrastructure programme. I am delighted to announce that communities in both Chipping Barnet and Edgware will now benefit from state-of-the-art libraries after both recently reopened following extensive refurbishments. Users of these libraries will now benefit from new furniture, bookshop style shelving and wi-fi internet access. You can read more on our libraries programme on pages eight and nine of Barnet First. 
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Our Primary School Capital Investment Programme, an ambitious scheme to provide Barnet with high quality, purpose-built, sustainable new schools to support improved educational achievement for the children of the borough, has moved forward with the announcement of Kier as preferred partner. Kier will, subject to planning permission, start work on the first project at Whitings Hill School in Underhill this summer with the school opening its doors to pupils in 2009. You can read more about this programme on page 12 of Barnet First. (PDF 1.3MB)
Ours is the vision of a successful city suburb and we continue to listen and provide for the needs of residents and businesses.
Councillor Mike Freer
Leader of the Council
