Motorist outraged over £100 fine for ‘for sale’ sign on his car

A retired property manager is fighting Barnet Council, in North London, over a parking ticket he was given for putting a for-sale note on his car.

Victor Abrahams, 67, was shocked when he returned to his parked Ford Escort Cabriolet on Bibsworth Road, Finchley, North London, to find a penalty notice. “There was a £100 fine on the window screen. When I called the council, they said I was ‘offering goods for sale in a parking place’, which is illegal. I had no idea that I couldn’t advertise my own car for sale. Loads of people do it.

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Barnet rabbis get ‘free’ parking offer

A “pray and display” scheme to give religious leaders free parking when carrying out religious duties has been launched by Barnet Council.

Rabbis, along with other religious leaders, can apply for permits allowing them to park in a residents’ bay when on official business. However, the scheme is not entirely free as there is a £40 administration charge.

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Top marks for Hasmo

Hasmonean Primary was judged to be an “outstanding school” in recent Ofsted and Pikuach inspections.

In his report, the Ofsted inspector noted that the Hendon-based school had developed a “caring and nurturing learning environment underpinned by strong Jewish values”. He highlighted the range of experiences provided and the school’s success in enabling all pupils to achieve, regardless of ability. 

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Landmark school gets the go-ahead

Plans for the country’s first non-denominational Jewish school got the go-ahead from a London council this week.

At a Barnet council planning meeting on Wednesday evening, councillors gave the Jewish Community Secondary School (JCoSS) permission to be built on the site where the sixth-form section of East Barnet secondary school currently stands. The £50 million project will be the only Jewish school not under the auspices of the Chief Rabbi.

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The mayor says Chai

New Barnet mayor Councillor John Marshall has chosen Chai Cancer Care as one of his mayoral charities.

Councillor Marshall said he had long been impressed by its work. “I remember the comments of a friend whose wife was dying, who said he wished they had discovered Chai earlier.”

Hoping that the recognition would enhance Chai’s profile, the mayor added that there was no financial target “as you can never raise enough for such a good cause”.

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Barnet Synagogue visit United Hatzalah charity

A group of Barnet Synagogue members visited the Israel offices of United Hatzalah, whose volunteers assist with medical emergencies. In addition to an ambulance donated some years ago, the Barnet Israel Group has given the service two defibrillators and the delegation was delighted to hear that one of the machines had saved the life of a man who had collapsed on the dancefloor at his son’s wedding. A United Hatzalah volunteer arrived on the scene within minutes and resuscitated him with the defibrillator.

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Barnet's members vote for full US status

Barnet Synagogue members voted overwhelmingly on Monday to upgrade from affiliated status to full constituent membership of the United Synagogue. Shul chairman Paul Kleinman said the change was “at the right time” and “on the right terms” for the congregation.

At an extraordinary general meeting, over 100 members heard Mr Kleinman outline the benefits to the congregation, and US vice-president Geoff Hartnell explain the US’s responsibilities. Following a lively debate,  around 90 per cent backed the board’s recommendation to upgrade.

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