Plans to freeze council tax despite predicted cuts from government (From Times Series)

Plans to freeze council tax despite predicted cuts from government

1:06pm Wednesday 31st October 2012 in News By Natalie O'Neill

Council tax could be frozen for a fourth year running despite predictions of further cuts in local government funding.

Barnet Borough Council predicts there will be a further ten per cent cut from central government funding for local government services in the financial year 2015-16.

The council has already faced a cut of £72.5million and has had to make cuts to services across the borough as a result.

Nevertheless, in November a consultation will start on plans to freeze council tax, while further cost-cutting measures are rolled out.

One proposal set to go before Cabinet on November 7, suggests bringing the borough’s recycling service in-house as a way to save cash.

The service is currently outsourced to May Gurney, but leader of the council, Councillor Richard Cornelius, believes an in-house system will be “more efficient” and benefit the taxpayer.

Estimates show the plans could save £2.48million over three years.

Speaking to the Time Series Cllr Cornelius said: “This is not going to be without pain because some people will lose their jobs but we feel it’s the best way.

“The One Barnet programme has always been about doing what’s best.”

Councillor Daniel Thomas claims One Barnet will reduce the back office costs of the council so that 90 per cent of savings from 2013-16 will come from efficiency savings rather than from reduction in services.