COUNCILLOR

PAOLO EMILIO

ZANINI

About

Paolo Emilio Zanini

CEO & Founder, Acumen International Media

Finchley Church End Reform Candidate

Finchley Resident. Community Advocate. Entrepreneur.

As the Founder and CEO of multiple businesses, I have built functional teams and projects with people from all walks of life. I’ve had the pleasure of working with global partners, led teams and solve complex issues and financial matters on a daily basis.

My background has taught me the importance of accountability, efficiency, long-term planning and problem solving-All things Finchley desperately needs.

Beyond business, I believe in family, community and cultural traditions.

Finchley is home for me, my friends and my family.

I understand the frustrations many residents face. From poor maintenance of local infrastructure and roads, through to the lack of reliability from their local service provider and ultimately, security or the lack thereof.

I believe our current local leadership has failed its constituents and needs to return to experienced professionals that do things on time, stay within budget and have a genuine commitment to the area and its inhabitants.

Father

Father of two young daughters

Businessman

Successfully ran 8 figure businesses

Barnet

Living in Barnet since 2010

Immigrant from Italy

Moved to the UK in 2008 to do masters in Scotland

Home Owner & Investor

Built my own home as well as other properties in Barnet

My Policies

VOTE FOR A BETTER FINCHLEY

My Policies

FREEDOM

We want car drivers to feel greater freedom when using their vehicles and not be penalised by a stealth tax. I will fight to increase parking spaces and introduce free parking, in turn increasing footfall and revenue on our high streets.

ACCOUNTABILITY

I will hold developers and the Council accountable for over-development at Finchley Central. No more “tower block” planning that ignores the character of our ward and strains local GPs and schools.

COMMUNITY

Committing to cleaner streets by bringing back bulk waste collection, lowering the threshold for repair times on our roads, and securing and restoring our green spaces, parks for future generations to enjoy.

TRANSPARENCY

I will demand a public breakdown of how our Council Tax is being spent. By stopping unnecessary charges, we will put a stop on spending that does not serve the wider community of Finchley Church End.

SECURITY

Ensuring our public spaces remain safe and beautiful for our families. Increasing police presence and tackling anti-social behaviour, specifically in areas such as Finchley Central Station.

Finchley Church End

Security

I will not accept the “new normal” of open drug use and anti-social behavior (ASB) near Finchley Central Station. My platform includes a zero-tolerance policy on ASB, push for increased Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs), and a demand for high-visibility patrols. Security means feeling safe in your own neighborhood, I will work to ensure our ward is a “no-go zone” for criminals, not for residents.

Public Services

Barnet Council is currently relying on £79.6 million in “Exceptional Financial Support”, essentially a massive government loan, to cover up years of budget mismanagement. I will demand an end to the culture of “excuses” for missed bin collections and declining service quality. We need a council that delivers reliable, core services on the first try, ending the “two-tier” workforce issues that lead to strikes and service disruptions.

Infrastructure

I will oppose any “Main Town Centre” strategies that ignore our local capacity. I will advocate for immediate investment in our aging utility and drainage networks to prevent the surface-water flooding that plagues parts of the ward. I will also push for a definitive, funded solution to the Finchley Central railway bridge “pinch point” to improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety once and for all.

Taxes

With Barnet Council proposing yet another 4.99% Council Tax hike for 2026/27, I will be your voice for fiscal sanity. I will demand an immediate Value for Money audit to identify and cut the bureaucratic waste that is draining our pockets. Your hard-earned money should stay in your wallet or be spent on visible improvements in Church End—not on council consultants and middle management.

Roads

I am calling for an end to the “pothole lottery” on streets like Regents Park Road and Nether Street. I will hold contractors accountable for the quality of their work, ensuring that road repairs are durable rather than temporary patches that fail within months. My priority is a long-term resurfacing strategy that keeps Finchley moving safely, without the constant disruption of poorly planned roadworks.

Housing

I will stand against “overbearing” high-rise developments, like the recently rejected 1,500-home scheme, that threaten to turn Finchley into a concrete jungle. My focus is on sensible, low-to-medium density housing that provides actual homes for local families. I will ensure that any new development is strictly tied to “Infrastructure First” agreements, meaning schools and GP surgeries must be expanded before new residents move in.

Parks

I will not allow our “green lungs,” like Victoria Park and Stephens House Gardens, to fall into neglect due to council budget cuts. As a nature lover and dog owner, my campaign is committed to securing dedicated funding for park maintenance. I will work with local “Friends of Parks” groups to ensure our green spaces remain safe, clean, and accessible havens for families, not targets for anti-social behavior.

The Local Economy

Finchley Central’s businesses are the heartbeat of our ward, but they are being stifled by high business rates and anti-car policies. I will fight for fairer parking schemes that encourage shoppers to visit our local independent stores rather than driving to out-of-town malls. By revitalizing our high street, we create jobs and a more vibrant community for everyone.

Environment & Waste

I will demand a more aggressive approach to fly-tipping and waste management. While the North London Waste Authority increases its levies, our streets often tell a different story. I will push for more frequent “bulky waste” collection days and tougher penalties for those who dump rubbish in our residential streets and mews, ensuring Finchley stays clean and green.

Finchley Needs Reform

Finchley has always been a great place to live. With a rich and diverse family-focused population that is full of community spirit and well connected to the rest of London.

However, now residents also know that things aren’t working as well as they should. Too many people feel unheard, they feel they don’t recognise the area they grew up in and that local decisions are made without them in mind.

Many residents worry about security, the long-term future of local services, public spaces and the general quality of life in the area.

While Finchley has strong foundations, we need fresh energy and practical leadership to ensure it remains a place where people of all ages can thrive and grow their families.

How we do it

Listening First. Acting Practically. Delivering Transparently.

This campaign is built on a simple principle: Representation should be grounded in real conversations, clear priorities and measurable results.

Listening to Residents

Regular street conversations, local meetings and open communication channels will ensure concerns are heard, not filtered or ignored.

Evidence-Based Decision Making

Policy should be practical, not ideological. Decisions must consider impact, cost, and long-term sustainability for Finchley residents.

Transparent Communication

Residents deserve clarity on what is being proposed, why it matters and how it affects their neighbourhoods.

Local Accountability

If elected, I will provide consistent updates, accessible contact routes and clear reporting on progress.

How to Vote

To vote for your Reform UK candidate in the Finchley Church End ward, you must be registered at your current local address. Follow these simple steps to ensure you are ready for polling day on Thursday 7 May 2026.

Key Deadlines for May 2026

Action	Deadline
Register to Vote	Midnight, 20 April
Apply for Postal Vote	5pm, 21 April
Apply for Proxy Vote	5pm, 28 April
Apply for Free Voter ID	5pm, 28 April
POLLING DAY	7 May (7am–10pm)