Enes Kanter explains why he won't be attending his team's NBA game in London.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Image source, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Barnet’s schools could be made to pay to make up for the loss of government funding – a move many feared would lead to redundancies.

The government has given the green light for the council to charge maintained schools – those that are overseen by the council – to make up for its decision to axe the education services grant, which funded services such as behaviour support and assessment management.

Thousands of people signed a petition against the plans, which were deemed the “last straw” by one school governor at a meeting of the council’s children, adults and safeguarding (CESG) committee on 29 November last year.

But on Wednesday, council officers told the CESG committee that the Secretary of State had approved the council’s proposal.

This means schools face charges amounting to more than £32 per pupil and fees of up to £28,000 for some primary schools.

But the council has dropped plans to transfer 0.5% out of the schools block budget to meet growing demand from children with special educational needs after the government announced extra high needs funding in December.

The additional £250m for high needs pupils means Barnet schools will get an extra £964,000 up to 2020.

In response to questioning from Cllr Pauline Coakley-Webb, Labour member for Coppetts, Ian Harrison, director of education and skills, confirmed the extra financial guarantee would only last for a year.

A growing number of the borough’s schools are facing financial pressure following an 8% real-terms cut in funding per pupil over the past decade, according to a committee report.

Eight of Barnet’s maintained schools have budget deficits, and the council is providing advice and support to those affected.

The overall schools budget will be considered by the policy and resources committee on 20 February.

Image source, Reuters

Dame Vera Lynn says the Royal Albert Hall is the "perfect place" for a new portrait of her to be displayed.

The work will be on show at the concert venue in Kensington when it is completed later this year by Norwegian artist Ross Kolby.

Dame Vera, known for her morale-boosting performances for British troops during World War Two, said the artist's draft sketch for the portrait is "wonderful".

The acclaimed singer, who will be 102 in March, added: “It was a pleasure to meet Ross earlier this year and I am delighted that he is painting my portrait. I have seen the draft sketch and it is wonderful how he has managed to include so many of the key elements of my life into the painting.

“I am very excited to hear the completed portrait will be housed in the Royal Albert Hall, which is a great honour. I have performed at the Royal Albert Hall on many occasions during my career and it will be very special to have a permanent presence there."

She also thanked the London Mint Office, which commissioned the painting and will give it to the Royal Albert Hall as a gift.

Liz Harper, archive manager at the Royal Albert Hall, said: “Dame Vera has played a special part in the Hall’s storied history, performing here more than 50 times between 1937 and 2006. As we look ahead to our 150th anniversary in two years’ time, we’ll be spotlighting our venue’s unique heritage more than ever, and we’re delighted to accept this portrait of Dame Vera as part of those celebrations.”

Image source, Met Police

A woman who died following a fail to stop collision in Brixton has been named.

Celia Ines Betrouni, 24, a French national, died following the collision in Brixton Hill in the early hours of Saturday, 12 January.

Her next of kin have been informed and formal identification has taken place.

Police were called at 00:30 on Saturday to Brixton Hill, at the junction with New Park Road, following reports a car in collision with a pedestrian.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

A 27-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving after he attended a south London police station on Monday. He has been bailed pending further enquiries.

A shoe scanner that works on passengers queuing at airport security is on show in London.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Uncertainty about when work on Westfield in Croydon will start has been expressed by the council leader.

The Croydon Westfield and Hammerson development was unanimously approved by Croydon Council’s planning committee in November 2017 and given the green light by London Mayor Sadiq Khan in January.

But at a meeting this week Cllr Tony Newman could not assure fellow councillors that work would begin in September, as was previously expected.

He said: “The Westfield project with it’s new French ownership is looking very strong indeed.

“Are people looking hard at what is happening out there in the retail environment and what’s happening nationally at the moment? Yes they are.

“But in a very challenging retail environment Croydon is as well placed as anybody is at the moment both with projected future investments and retaining those stores we have.

“The council has absolutely delivered in terms of the planning process and the CPO process so I think on any major projects there is always going to be some challenges.”

When pressed by Cllr Andy Stranack whether work would go ahead in September seemed unsure.

Cllr Newman asked in return “was it ever starting in September?” only for council chief executive to answer “they were at one point”.

“At one point, their exact starting date, a lot of preparatory work as we speak is going on out there,” said Cllr Newman.

Last month Unibail-Rodamco bought Westfield Corporation for £18.5 million.

Cllr Newman added that he had already met with the chief executive of the new French owners.

“It was a private discussion but it was very very encouraging in terms of their commitment to what they are doing and they are globally looking to reduce some of what they’re doing to look at specifically in places like London and Croydon,” he said.

He added that they are still “committed to investing in Croydon”.

Tottenham are given council approval to increase the capacity for home matches played at Wembley Stadium

BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Eight-time winner David Weir says he will compete in the London Marathon wheelchair race for the 20th consecutive year in April.

The six-time Paralympic champion was fifth on his debut in 2000 aged 19.

His first victory came in 2002 and he followed that with wins in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2017 and 2018.

"Every year I say to myself that even if I only do one race, it has got to be the London Marathon. It is such a special event for me," he said.

BBC Weather

A cold afternoon, although it will be dry with plenty of sunshine.

Breezy with a moderate north-westerly wind.

Maximum Temperature: 3C to 6C (37F to 43F).

BBC London News

Image source, Jason Hawkes

We used this wonderful photo by Jason Hawkes of the city's skyline as our banner, but we want a new picture every day to show off the capital.

Have you taken a photo of your part of London which you think would be suitable? If so, email it in high resolution (2048 x 1152 or 1680 x 945) to london.locallive@bbc.co.uk.

Stephen Eskinazi, Nick Gubbins, Tom Helm and Max Holden sign new long-term contracts with Middlesex.

Flora Drury
BBC Africa

If you haven't heard of Marie Kondo yet, it won't be long before you do.

Thanks to her new Netflix programme, the Japanese tidying guru has become January's "It girl". Chance is, you already know someone who is using her "KonMari" method, which promises not only a de-cluttered house, but also a clean mind.

"When you put your house in order, you put your affairs, and your past in order, too," Kondo explains in her 2014 book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying. "As a result, you can see quite clearly what you need and what you don't, and what you should and shouldn't do."

But is it really as simple as asking whether everything you own truly "sparks joy" and then throwing away anything that doesn't?

Jerrie Sharp and her partner were inspired to get rid of about a third of the belongings in their London home after watching Tidying Up with Marie Kondo.

A Tube worker suffered a fractured wrist and bruising after she was attacked by a man who was accused of forcing his way through a ticket barrier.

The female victim was working at Oxford Circus Station on 11 November last year when she saw the man going through the barriers.

When she asked to see his ticket she was pushed to the floor and injured.

British Transport Police have released a CCTV image of a man who they say "may have information which could help their investigation."

Local Democracy Reporting Service

The deadline for people affected by the Grenfell fire to join a commission which will decide how to create a memorial to the 72 who died has been extended.

They will help decide the future of the Grenfell Tower site and what the community would like to see as a memorial and help draw up a design brief for it.

The commission will also look at who should own and manage the site in the future.

There are 10 places for people from the community.

This includes five people representing families who died in the fire, and three for people who lived in the tower and nearby Grenfell Walk and lost their homes.

There are also two places for residents of the Lancaster West estate nearby.

Molly Morgan's stolen handbag also contained an electrical extension lead and a Primark umbrella.

BBC London News

Victoria Hollins brings you the latest news from the BBC London newsroom.

Simon Read
Business Reporter

Image source, gett

The housing market outlook over the next three months is the worst for 20 years, surveyors say.

A net balance of 28% of Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) members expect sales to fall in the next three months.

It's the most downbeat reading since records started in October 1998 and the pessimism is blamed on the lack of clarity around Brexit.

Lack of supply and affordability also continued to affect the market.

Tottenham agree a deal to sell midfielder Mousa Dembele to Chinese Super League side Guangzhou R&F.