A meeting held on Wednesday 25th revealed new proposals for Barnet Council’s environment budget.
Barnet Council plans to save £6.6 million, with multiple proposals being considered as a means of bridging the five-year budget gap. Though it was stressed that none of these were full formed plans.
Barnet council’s executive director of environment, Geoff Mee, stated that a review of parking policies expected to save £3 million “really relates to the provision of additional controlled parking zone activities that have been requested by councillors and communities, which have not been implemented thus far because of a lack of resources”.
Cllr Felix Byers (Conservative, East Barnet) quizzed officers about a line referring to “making the best use” of street lighting – expected to save £100,000. It follows the introduction of LED lights that come with a system allowing the council to control their brightness.
Mr Mee confirmed that the dimming of streetlights was one of the main budgeting options that would be considered over the next year. The council will “look at what we can do to lighting levels in specific locations, where we could – without endangering any residents’ safety or road safety – change the lighting levels in certain areas”.
Mr Mee said companies had suggested “that some of our parks are a prime location for looking at energy storage solutions. Sustainable energy is going to be one of the big things. We need space, and this is one of the areas.”
Barnet council is ultimately optimistic in its hopes to better the local environment.
