Budget consultation 2022/23

Overview

Like other local authorities and households across the country, Barnet is facing unprecedented funding pressures in the face of rising inflation and the cost-of-living crisis. Despite significant budget pressures we are delivering services that help and support our residents; and we’re continuing to create a better borough for the well-being of all our communities.

As well as supporting our communities, we are also committed to the responsible management of our finances. All local authorities are legally required to set a balanced budget every year and ensure they have enough money to deliver services to their residents and businesses.

To reach our goal of a balanced budget for 2023/24 we have been planning ahead carefully to meet both the current and future financial challenges. We are working on identifying savings across the council to enable us to invest in our priorities and meet our demand pressures. The challenges we face also include: the uncertainty over government funding which impacts on all local authorities; an unprecedented economic uncertainty and high inflation;  alongside a growing and ageing population which puts more pressure on our budgets and services.

How we are responding to the financial challenge

We have always taken a long-term and proactive approach to financial planning in difficult circumstances. We have saved over £213 million between 2010 and 2022 and protected frontline services as far as possible. Looking forward we face an anticipated budget gap of just over £30million to 2025/26, this includes a £1.7 million budget gap for the next financial year 2023/24.

Despite these challenges we remain ambitious for Barnet and the people who live and work here. We must now prioritise our limited resources effectively and develop plans to deliver the best outcomes for residents within these unprecedented times and financial constraints.

For more information on what we have achieved over the last year, our priorities and how we plan to meet the financial challenges in the future, please take the time to read our consultation document. You can also read the Policy and Resources Committee Business Planning Report which sets out in full the council’s proposed budget for 2023/24.

What are we seeking your views on

To balance our budget for next year (2023/24) we have developed a set of proposals to save money or generate income that we would like your views on. We are keen to give everyone – Barnet residents, those who live outside the borough and who use our services, businesses, and local community groups – the opportunity to have their say on our proposals. In particular, we are seeking your views on:

• the overall budget, and our savings and income generation proposals for 2023/24
• our proposal to increase general Council Tax
• our proposal to also apply an Adult Social Care Precept on Council Tax to help pay for adult social care.

How to give us your views

Please take the time to read the consultation document before completing our questionnaire.

If you require a paper copy of the consultation document and questionnaire or another format, please email: budgetconsultation@barnet.gov.uk or telephone the Consultation Team on 020 8359 7016.

What happens after the consultation closes

The findings from the consultation will be reported to Policy and Resources Committee on 23 February 2023 and will then be considered by Full council on  8 March 2023 before final approval of the 2023/24 budget.