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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 »
Respected Comedian
Posted on 11:48am Saturday 23rd May 2009
The Annual Council Meeting on Tuesday was more surreal than ever. We were back at the Town Hall Hendon following refurbishment; except that the works still had not been completed. Someone told me that the Town Hall resembled a building site on the previous Friday. Staff had worked all hours to make the Town Hall presentable for the Mayor making. Well done to the staff, but I for one would have been just as happy to have continued at Barnet House. Goodness knows what the cost to the Taxpayer is for all the overtime.
Jack Cohen »
We'd rather live in Brent!
Posted on 10:56am Tuesday 12th May 2009
A lull in Council meetings provides an opportunity to catch up with the more important aspects of a Councillor’s work. But, just to mention the Planning Meeting last week. The Planning and Environment Committee is the main planning committee and usually deal with large applications which cross Ward Boundaries or development where the Council itself has an interest. This Committee seems to go along with Officer Recommendations much more than some of the planning sub committees.
Jack Cohen »
At The Races
Posted on 1:12pm Wednesday 6th May 2009
On Bank Holiday Sunday, I spent a pleasant afternoon at Salisbury Racecourse. Live Horseracing is a fascinating experience. Apart from the obvious it is a great opportunity for people watching. Horseracing crowds are a varied cornucopia of rural England. Certainly a world way from the ethnic mix of North Finchley; I did notice though that the stable staff are much more diverse.
Jack Cohen »
New Arrangements Same Old Story
Posted on 1:25pm Saturday 25th April 2009
Back to work after the Easter break. The Special Committee (Constitutional Review) met on Tuesday to discuss a paper titled “Overview and Scrutiny; New Arrangements “ You may ask why the Constitution Review Committee is called “Special”. I’ll tell you. I don’t know! On second thoughts may be it is because the Committee is made up of the Leaders of the three main parties with The Deputy Leader of the Conservative group thrown in for good measure plus a few more of the good and the great. And, like all Barnet Council Committees the Conservative’s have a majority so the result of any vote is normally a foregone conclusion.
Jack Cohen »
The Mayor gets The Needle
Posted on 12:48pm Saturday 11th April 2009
Tuesdays Full Council meeting (the last incidentally at its temporary home in Barnet House) produced the usual menu of confusion, the bizarre and general rancour.
Jack Cohen »
Wisdom of Solomon
Posted on 4:07pm Sunday 5th April 2009
It was an eventful Finchley and Golders Green Planning Sub Committee last Wednesday evening. The public gallery was standing room only; the main interest being a planning application for an orthodox Jewish School in Golders Green Road.
Jack Cohen »
Lights, Camera, Action
Posted on 8:02pm Saturday 28th March 2009
Eighteen months or so ago a camera crew followed Barnet Planners and Councillors around. They recorded site visits, officers at work and also recorded planning sub committee meetings.
Jack Cohen »
World Class
Posted on 5:48pm Friday 20th March 2009
A mixed bag of Council meetings this week: On Monday I attended a training session for all Councillors. The subject was “The role of a Councillor in Corporate Parenting” .When I say all councillors it was a pity only around ten turned up.
Jack Cohen »
Cardboard Cut Outs
Posted on 7:51pm Wednesday 11th March 2009
A lull in Council meetings provides an opportunity to mention other aspects of a Councillors’ duty. I can only speak for my Ward colleagues, Councillors Susette and Monroe Palmer but I am sure other Councillors are, also, like us constantly in touch with residents about a whole range of local issues.
Jack Cohen »
Wishy Washy?
Posted on 10:15am Thursday 5th March 2009
The Finchley and Golders Green Planning Sub Committee was rather mundane on Wednesday night. Business was completed in half an hour. Is this the effects of the recession? Three people sat in the public gallery. On the way out I noticed two piles of agenda and committee papers; seventy sets in all, lying unused on a table.
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