You’ll find below a press release from Barnet unison’s local government branch.

The Barnet Alliance for Public Services (of which the union is part) has already held standing-room-only public meetings to organise against cuts in Barnet.

Barnet is one of the controversial London Tory boroughs. It’s known as EasyCouncil because of its plans to take money from residents who are prepared to pay move to the head of queues for services. It lost some £27m on bad investments in Icelandic banks. It has spent millions on a yet-to-be-delivered councilwide outsourcing programme called Future Shape. Tonight, the council’s cabinet committee will sign off a budget which proposes massive cuts across frontline services.

Council trade unions and residents from Barnet Alliance 4 Public Services will hold a lobby of a full council meeting tomorrow night outside Hendon Town Hall: Tuesday 14 December 6 to 7 pm.

The lobby should be pretty fiery if the earlier ones are anything to go by.

Press release:
On Friday 3 December Barnet Council issued over 818 at risk redundancy letters to council workers.

Last week, the council said in a press release that it was determined to protect the frontline services that our most vulnerable residents rely upon.

Yet tonight at cabinet committee, councillors will vote to agree a budget which proposes to make massive cuts across frontline services.

Plans include:

· 33% cut in staff working in Youth & Connexions & Youth Offending Service

· No Youth services by 2014

· 97 Children Centre workers at risk.

· 6 Mental Health & Brain Injury Social Workers with more to go in years two and three.

· Gardening Project for Adults with Learning Difficulties

· School Crossing Patrol (lollipop man/lady)

· Sheltered Housing – Removal of onsite wardens

· Cuts to staff in residential and independent living services

· 30% cut in funding for Community Advice services (3 year period)

Barnet UNISON deplores cuts to the frontline services at a time when over £9.2 million has been set aside for the council’s One Barnet-Future Shape programme.

The frontloading of these cuts in the first year of a three year spending review is a cynical attempt to cut deep and attempt to ride out public protest in the hope that memories of the cuts will be forgotten come election time.

The scale of cuts cannot be overstated despite attempt to cushion the impact. Those in most need are going to be most affected. The Councils own budget report states:

“Vulnerable young people already experiencing some form of disadvantage, such as those at risk of exclusion or young offenders, may be disproportionally affected by a reduced service as they are likely to have higher support needs.”

“The needs of those that cannot afford alternative provision will need to be taken into account when designing the new youth offer.”

“The proposal applies to non residential services, with increased charges (based on ability to pay) affecting up to 3,000 service users across all client groups. Will require careful handling…”

Contact: John Burgess Barnet Unison on 07738389569 email: john.burgess@barnetunison.org.uk.