Author Archives: Mike de Jong

Help During the COVID-19 Crisis

Please note the following information regarding Barnet’s COVID19 support Helpline:

If you, a family member, friend, or close member of your community are in need of urgent help that is not medical related, then please:

  • Complete the online form on the Barnet website for help and support, or
  • Call the FREE Helpline on 0808 281 3210 (open Monday to Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm)

If you need medical help you should phone NHS 111 – or for genuinely urgent medical help, 999.

If you need help with an urgent prescription, please try contacting your GP or pharmacy first.

The latest government advice can be found on the GOV.UK website.

Garden Waste Collection – Suspended

From next Monday (6 April 2020), Barnet’s fortnightly garden waste collection will become a paid-for service.  (You can still sign up for this; you might consider sharing the cost with your neighbours.)

However, Barnet has recently advised that all green waste collections will be suspended for the time being so that it can “prioritise services that help protect and ensure public health”.  If you have already paid you will not lose out: your green bins will be emptied for a full year once the service resumes.

More details.

Essential Help

We hope you are all doing OK in these worrying times.

  • Please continue to keep an eye out for your elderly and vulnerable neighbours.
  • If you are feeling isolated and would like a chat, you are not alone! – we are at the other end of the phone.  
  • If anyone needs essential shopping you can contact our association and we will try our best to accommodate.

Also, please note that anyone who is ill or elderly can contact Barnet to get food parcels delivered: click here for more information and to apply.

The latest government advice can be found on the GOV.UK website.

We have been blessed with wonderful weather and we hope you will open up your windows and doors and let the Vitamin D pour in! Sunshine is the best medicine.

In the words of Desmond Tutu: Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.

Please Clear Up After Your Dog!

While most dog owners are caring, responsible individuals, there are still some people who do not clean up after their pets. 

Dog mess is the most unacceptable and offensive type of litter on our streets.

Dog fouling is not only deeply unpleasant, it is dangerous. Whilst rare, contact with dog excrement can cause toxocariasis – a nasty infection that can lead to dizziness, nausea, asthma and even blindness or seizures.

Anyone who fails to clear up after their dog can be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice of up to £100. If the case goes to court this could cost the owner or person in charge of the animal up to £1,000.  The law states that being unaware a dog has fouled or not having a suitable bag is not a reasonable excuse.

Fly-tipping

We have recently persuaded Barnet Council to provide a No Fly-tipping sign in Mendip Drive. It  should be installed soon.

If you see anyone dumping waste in our streets, please do let the Council know as soon as possible:

  • Do not approach the person. Keep safe!
  • Make a note of the vehicle registration number, date and time.
  • Report it.

Barnet Council will take action against anyone found to be fly-tipping within Barnet under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 for which there is an unlimited fine and possible imprisonment.