Help pages
Using the Site
Site Navigation
This site's navigation structure is based on the Local Government Navigation List (LGNL), a navigation method adopted by central government for all local authorities to use. The navigation is based upon services, rather than departments within the Council. It makes it easier for the user to find information without understanding the internal workings of a Council.
Polyhierachical navigation
Our website's navigation system is polyhierachical which means that information can be found in more than one part of the navigation tree. This takes into account the fact people think differently on where they expect to find a certain bit of information or service on the website.
More on polyhierachical navigation and impact on how you browse the site.
You can find your way around this site in the following ways:
Top level navigation
You can select from one of the eleven (11) main headings/content sections of the website using the Top level navigation menu on the homepage.
The top level navigation menu is also available in the left hand menu of a top level page.
See screenshot image of the top level navigation menu.
Top level page
A top level page is uniquely identified by the fact that access to secondary level navigation is placed within the body of the page. The site's top level navigation menu remains available from the left hand menu.
See screenshot image of a top level page.
Secondary level navigation
You can access a secondary level section of the website by selecting a link within the body of a top level page.
Secondary level page
On a secondary level page, the left hand top level navigation is replaced with a section and page specific navigation menu.
See screenshot image of a secondary level page.
You can also access our online services, relevant contact Information and relevant useful links (when and where available) from the left hand column. The same applies to pages on all levels.
See screenshot images of online services menus
Site tools
Site preferences tool
The site preference tool is available from every page of the www.barnet.gov.uk site.
This tool allows you to change the website font size and colour contrast to suit your viewing preferences.
More on the site preference tool
A-Z of information and services
An A-Z grid of information and services is available from the homepage. You can also access the A-Z from within the footer of every page on the website.
Screenshot of homepage a to z grid.
Site Search
You can search by keywords from the search box found within the header of every page on the www.barnet.gov.uk website.
The main search page (search results are shown on the main search page) also contains a menu to search different types of site content.
Social Bookmarking
At the bottom of each page on this site you will see a list of links to social bookmarking sites.
This relatively new method allows you to save, categorise or 'tag' and otherwise share links across the internet. You can share these links with friends or those with similar interests. By saving links using such a service you can then go on to access these from any computer you happen to be using.
Read more on social bookmarking
Email this page
Down the bottom right of every page, you will find a 'Email this page' link.
Use this to send the content of any Barnet Online page to yourself, a friend or both via email.
Contact Us and FAQs
- FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
- Contact Us - The main Online contact form and information on other ways of contacting the council
Online services (all pages)
Access our online services menu from the homepage and left hand navigation of most pages.
- Online Forms (including downloadable PDF Forms)
- Online Payments - pay your bills online
- Planning Cases - View and comment on current planning applications
- Library Renewals - Check or renew your library book and browse library collections
- Barnet Maps, Facts and Figures - View interactive maps and data of the Borough
See screenshot images of online services menus
What's on diary of community events
This can be accessed from the homepage. There is also a link on the footer of every website page.
You can find What's On in Barnet for a given month/year or you can search using 'keywords' to find an event.
You can also submit information about an event being held in your locality.
Other website footer tools and links
- Help - links to this page containing information on how to use this site
- Sitemap - links to the sitemap page containing a list of all the website structure and pages
- Accessibility - links to our accessibility statement page with information on how to use the site's accessibility features.
- Disclaimer
- Privacy Statement
- Copyright
Plug-ins and additional software
GIS Map links and how to download the software
Our GIS (Geographic Information System ) Barnet Maps contains detailed interactive maps of the borough, with a large amount and variety of additional information. It works best with a Broadband internet connection although it will work with a dialup modem, the initial download may take a few minutes. The larger the screen resolution you have the better, 1024 x 768 is fine. 800 x 600 will work but the maps will not be as easy to read.
The system uses your standard web browser. However, you need a 'one- off' download of some software to get to the detail and the functions. The software you need depends on your type of browser and operating system. Please download the FREE software for all browser and operating systems from the trusted Autodesk website here
PDF documents and forms
Downloading files or documents
In the case of relatively large files, (and PDF forms that you need to complete and return by post), you are advised to save the file directly onto your own computer rather than opening it via your web browser. On a PC, and using the Microsoft Internet Explorer web browser right-click on the link, select "Save Target As", and choose a suitable location on your PC; using the Netscape web browser right-click on the link and choose "Save Link As".
See our PDF documents and forms help page
RSS Feeds
We have RSS feeds available on our website. You can stay informed by retrieving our Latest News, What's On in Barnet Events and Highlights. When a feed is available for a section of content on our website, there will be a link to the RSS feed highlighted by an orange RSS button
Browsealoud software for listening to our website
We are pleased to introduce a free service that speech enables our website for those with reading difficulties. It offers a practical website access service to people who find it easier to listen to, rather than read the content of our website. We have teamed up with Texthelp Systems to provide their Browsealoud service which gives our visitors the chance to listen to our web content.. The use of this service requires a one off free download of the software.
Read more about Browsealoud and how to use it on this website.
Accessibility
See our page on website accessibility
Email this pageLast modified by: Webmaster on 06/01/2009