Almost all Barnet Council meetings that were due to take place in December have been cancelled or postponed as the General Election approaches.

Five meetings that were pencilled in for December will not go ahead.

Meetings of the children’s, education and safeguarding committee, the planning committee and the full council have been cancelled.

Meetings of the policy and resources committee and the financial performance and contracts committee have been moved to a later date, although the latter was scheduled for after the election.

The only meeting that still looks set to go ahead as planned is the licensing sub-committee on December 18.

Barnet Council confirmed meetings had been cancelled due to the upcoming general election.

The pre-election period – known as purdah – is one in which central and local government face restrictions on political activity.

A guide by the Local Government Association says that during purdah the holding of events featuring elected officials – including some meetings – should be “carefully considered”.

A council spokesperson said: “Following the announcement of the General Election, Barnet Council reviewed the business of all committees in light of pre-election guidance.

“The majority of committees scheduled to take place during the pre-election period have proceeded as planned.

“Some meetings in early December have been postponed or cancelled due to their proximity to the election.”