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Barnet Council has decided that the historic Hendon Library will remain in its original location and be refurbished, preserving the library’s heritage and traditional features. The council listened to hundreds of residents who expressed how important the building is to the local community and the history of the area. Chair of the Community Leadership & Libraries Committee, Cllr Sara Conway said:

Barnet Council’s plans for transforming rundown buildings on The Burroughs and Church End in Hendon, including provision of a new library, enhanced public spaces, and facilities for Middlesex University, have been put forward for review in a public consultation launched today (26 February).

During the initial phase, residents are now able to pick up and return books and other library items using a new ‘Select and Collect’ service. The service is already available at Barnet’s four Core Plus Libraries: Chipping Barnet, Colindale, Edgware and Finchley Church End. Residents can call, email or go online in advance to select what they would like to borrow.

Cityread 2018 will see Barnet’s libraries hosting a varied schedule of events throughout May linked to this year’s chosen book – ‘The Muse’, by bestselling author Jessie Burton. Each year, Cityread London encourages Londoners to come together to read the same book and take part in exciting literary events across the Capital. This year’s book, The Muse, is an exhilarating tale full of surprises, spanning two timelines, in two countries, but connected by one fascinating painting.

There will be two mental health awareness talks as part of the Barnet Libraries Service’s Health and Wellbeing Month – the May theme of its wider Year of Learning. The first – by Jayne Abbott from the council’s Public Health team – will be at Chipping Barnet Library from 3-4pm on Friday (17 May). The second will be at Colindale Library from 3-4pm on Wednesday 22 May.

The charity is working alongside the London Borough of Barnet to develop a brand new £6 million Youth Zone in Montrose Park, Burnt Oak which will open in 2018. The Youth Zone will be named Unitas after a borough-wide vote in which 2,000 young people took part. Over the next few weeks, prior to the submission of a planning application to the London Borough of Barnet, OnSide will be consulting on its plans with interested groups and the local community.

They were given Civic Awards across a range of categories during the event on Wednesday 3 April after being nominated by the public for the good work that they have done. The Worshipful Mayor of Barnet, Councillor Reuben Thompstone, said: “These awards celebrate the contribution that these wonderful people have made to their community. It is enriching to live in a borough that contains such selfless and motivated citizens, who work endlessly to make Barnet a better place for others.”

The Local Plan sets out how the borough is going to grow in the years to 2036, with new homes including affordable housing, and new spaces for business, sport and recreation.

Visit engage.barnet.gov.uk to fill in questionnaires and leave a comment about the plans at any point between now and Monday 4 February. If you would prefer a hard copy of the survey in the post, please email Joshua.Henry@Barnet.gov.uk or call 020 8359 7043.

To meet the challenges now faced, the council’s Housing and Growth Committee approved the Work, Skills and Productivity Action Plan 2021-2025 when it met on 14 June. The plan will play a key part in the borough’s recovery effort and build on the significant work already underway around skills and employment.As seen across the rest of the country, the unemployment rate has risen in Barnet, with 7.5 per cent of working age adults claiming some sort of unemployment benefit.