There have previously been a number of local authorities responsible for the Barnet area. The current local authority was first elected in 1964, a year before formally coming into its powers and prior to the creation of the London Borough of Barnet on 1 April 1965. Barnet replaced Barnet Urban District Council, East Barnet Urban District Council, Friern BarnetUrban District Council, Finchley Borough Council and Hendon Borough Council. It was envisaged through the London Government Act 1963 that Barnet as a London local authority would share power with the Greater London Council. The split of powers and functions meant that the Greater London Council was responsible for "wide area" services such as fire, ambulance, flood prevention, and refuse disposal; with the local authorities responsible for "personal" services such as social care, libraries, cemeteries and refuse collection. As an outer London borough council it has been an education authority since 1965. This arrangement lasted until 1986 when Barnet London Borough Council gained responsibility for some services that had been provided by the Greater London Council, such as waste disposal. Since 2000 the Greater London Authority has taken some responsibility for highways and planning control from the council, but within the English local government system the council remains a "most purpose" authority in terms of the available range of powers and functions. In 2012 Barnet outsourced many functions to Capita under the controversial 'One Barnet' programme.
Powers and functions
The local authority derives its powers and functions from the London Government Act 1963 and subsequent legislation. Barnet has the powers and functions of a London borough council. It is a billing authority collecting Council Tax and business rates, it processes local planning applications, it is responsible for housing, waste collection and environmental health. It is a local education authority, responsible for social services, libraries and waste disposal. The council shares responsibility with the Greater London Authority for strategic policies including housing, planning and the environment.
Electrical items larger than 51 cm x 52 cm can be recycled at the Civic Amenity and Recycling Centre, Summers Lane, North Finchley, London N12 0RF. They collect over 40 different household materials for recycling at the centre and recycle around 68 per cent of it.
