Mehdi Amrollahi, 58, of Hendon Way, Childs Hill, who is thought to have left the country, was ordered in his absence to pay £223,751.31 under Proceeds of Crime Act legislation after a hearing at Harrow Crown Court.

Investigators from the council’s Corporate Anti-Fraud Team (CAFT), working with Planning Enforcement officers, were able to use the Proceeds of Crime Act to bring confiscation proceedings based on the significant income generated from renting out the flats for almost six years, flats which never had the necessary planning permission.

The service, which includes keeping all 14 libraries open, offers longer library opening hours, and a number of improvements to the range of digital services available such as e-books, audio books and use of the Pressreader app which gives library card holders free online access to thousands of newspapers and magazines.

Construction of a third new library building is well underway and will open its doors, alongside the brand new leisure centre in New Barnet, later this year.

Barnet Council’s Planning Enforcement team prosecuted S&R Investments, after it ignored repeated warnings not to use the building behind a semi-detached home in Kings Close, Hendon, as a residential dwelling.

The company was fined £10,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2,755.60 after being found guilty of failing to comply with a planning enforcement notice at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on 5 March.

They were given Civic Awards across a range of categories during the event on Wednesday 3 April after being nominated by the public for the good work that they have done.

The Worshipful Mayor of Barnet, Councillor Reuben Thompstone, said: “These awards celebrate the contribution that these wonderful people have made to their community. It is enriching to live in a borough that contains such selfless and motivated citizens, who work endlessly to make Barnet a better place for others.”

The competition, now in its sixth year after being launched by Barnet Council to boost the borough’s business talent, attracted record levels of interest.

The final winner was Joanne Merchant with her forthcoming high street hub When I Grow Up, providing an appealing play, support and community space for families with young children.

Consultation is currently underway to gather people’s views and opinions on Barnet’s Children and Young People’s Plan (2019-2023). The consultation runs until 7 April.

The draft plan has been developed by drawing together input from children and young people, as well as a range of organisations including the police, voluntary sector groups, and education and health services.

The £6.5million facility, which is being built by national charity OnSide Youth Zones, with support from Barnet Council and other funders, will open its doors for the first time on Sunday 23rd June with plans being made for celebrations at the facility, which is located in Montrose Playing Fields.

That means there are just 100 days to go and to mark this countdown, the charity has opened its membership, priced at just £5 for per year.

We apologise on behalf of our partners at Better for any inconvenience and customers will be able to use the pools at Barnet Copthall and Church Farm.

During the closure, our partners at Better will be completing significant improvements including plant and machinery upgrades and refurbishment of poolside with new changing facilities, new vanity area, new lockers, improved customer flow and layout. The plant room improvements include a new air handling system that will improve the air quality for spectators and swimmers.