What's the difference between a town centre renewal plan and a strategic review? This was the question that galvanised and provoked the 30 or so stalwarts attending the June meeting of Chipping Barnet Residents' Forum.

The reason for their concern was that the town planner on duty at the previous May meeting had stated - and the minutes confirm this - that "work was in progress in respect of the town centre renewal plan (for High Barnet) which would be consulted upon in the near future".

Encouraging assurance indeed for all those concerned at the slow decline of the High Street retail area.

However, the planning officer on duty this time around, insisted his colleague must have been talking about "a strategic review" of all centres in the borough which would report in six months time.

No wonder many present felt short changed. Still, he went on to say that planning could only start after a developer took the initiative. At that point someone muttered something about carts before horses.

Nevertheless, the forum is a commendable exercise in democracy and civic education, and it is quite clear we have much to learn about modern town planning in Barnet.

John Gardiner, Strafford Road, Barnet