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Councillor Jack Cohen is the leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Barnet Council. He has represented Child’s Hill Ward for more than 20 years |
Jack Cohen »
Rudderless
Posted on 1:30pm Tuesday 26th January 2010
Last night I attended two meetings at the Town Hall. First up was the Policy and Performance Overview and Scrutiny Committee. I am not sure what this committee does. It meets twice a year.
Jack Cohen »
"All the Virtues of Man without his Vices"
Posted on 1:36pm Thursday 14th January 2010
Yesterday Jake my beloved companion for the past twelve and half years died. It all happened so quickly. He collapsed at home. When we got him to the Vet it was obvious little could be done , so we mercifully put him to sleep. He had a happy life and only that morning he had enjoyed his walk to Swan Lane Open Space. Jake was a rescue dog twice over. His previous owner a young girl died of anorexia.
Jack Cohen »
cat napping
Posted on 5:50pm Tuesday 12th January 2010
I am not allowed to tell you what went on at the Corporate JNCC meeting last night. The whole meeting is held in what’s called part 2. This means the public and Press are excluded.
Jack Cohen »
innings closed
Posted on 9:13pm Wednesday 6th January 2010
I don’t know how many of you have been to North Finchley Post Office recently. They have introduced a “no queue “system. You take a ticket and wait for your number to be called. On Monday I went to renew my Freedom Pass. The last time I was there I had a twenty minute wait, just to buy stamps This time I took my ticket, number 181. The current number being dealt with was 120! Sixty one customers were in front of me. Forty five minutes later and after doing my shopping in the High Road my number came up. The whole set up is almost surreal. You really do need to go there and see for your self. To be fair to the staff they are doing their best. One of them confided they were as fed up as everyone else. This is what happens when all the local post offices close. Another policy this Government has to answer for.
Jack Cohen »
The Dowager Leader
Posted on 11:12am Friday 18th December 2009
The full Council meeting on Monday descended in to farce. I can not recall any Council Meeting under any Political Control that ever ended up in such a shambles. There were so many vignettes that I would be blogging well into the New Year with these delights.
Jack Cohen »
Christmas With The Aliens
Posted on 2:25pm Tuesday 15th December 2009
No this blog is not about tonight’s full Council meeting. Last week I was at St Agnes’ RC Primary School in Cricklewood. I have been a Governor there since 1988. This was my twenty second Christmas play. As usual it was the story of the Nativity. But this time we had space ships and sat-navs thrown in. So hence the tile of their play “Christmas with the Aliens”
Jack Cohen »
Talking Rubbish ?
Posted on 1:17pm Saturday 5th December 2009
On Monday I attended the Finchley and Golders Green Area Environment Sub Committee. My Colleague Cllr Monroe Palmer was unable to attend so I was there as his substitute. The meeting started at 7pm and was all over at 725pm. This committee is a bit like the Area Forum except it has the powers to make decisions. But nothing new in that the vice chairman did not turn up. Is there also a special allowance for the post of vice chairman?
Jack Cohen »
Our Gracie
Posted on 9:20pm Saturday 28th November 2009
Finchley and Golders Green Residents’ Forum is always a good place to start the week. Last Monday’s meeting was better attended than usual. The Council suggested that the good turn out was because of the promise of consultation on the Council’s budget and the Council’s new planning document “Direction of Travel”.
Jack Cohen »
Brent Cross
Posted on 4:43pm Tuesday 24th November 2009
Year ago, A Conservative Government, I believe it was commissioned an Inquiry into The Planning System. A report was produced by The Nuffield Foundation. Amongst the recommendations was one which said objectors should have the right of appeal in major planning applications. The Report was quietly shelved.
Jack Cohen »
The Cat's Out of The Bag
Posted on 12:16pm Saturday 21st November 2009
Whilst all the attention was on the marathon Brent Cross planning meeting this week, it was events at the Business Management Overview and Scrutiny Committee that could have a much more profound impact.
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