The council meets at Hendon Town Hall and has its main offices at 2 Bristol Avenue in Colindale.

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 borough councils (including Barnet) responsible for "personal" services such as social care, libraries, cemeteries and refuse collection.

[13] 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.

[15] The scheme was controversial; a local resident tried to challenge the council's decision via a judicial review, but without success.

It is a local education authority and is also responsible for council housing, social services, libraries, waste collection and disposal, traffic, and most roads and environmental health.

Seats are filled using plurality block voting; elections are held every four years.