The town hall is still forecasting an overspend of £5m this year however, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter

Hendon Town Hall and (inset) Simon Radford

Senior Barnet councillors have claimed the council’s financial position has improved compared to this time last year.

A report was presented to cabinet members last night (Tuesday 22nd) stating Barnet Council’s overspend for 2025/26 was now predicted to hit £5million. This is after £3m of planned reserve drawdowns.

Cabinet member for finance Simon Radford said: “While there is an overspend, in terms of the governance and scrutiny we’ve put in, our reforms are actually working and we’re coming in closer to budget.”

He also said it would be “continuing to press” the government on its fair funding formula, which is currently being reviewed and consulted on.

Cllr Radford said: “There’s a consultation and still some room to go in terms of further lobbying and further influencing government and we’re committed to continuing that dialogue with government particularly around the effects of housing costs and deprivation.”

The consultation proposes changes which Cllr Radford described as “good news”, including extra funding to decrease pressure on demand-led services.

Departmental day-to-day spending for local councils will increase by an annual average of 1.2% over the next three to four years. Core spending power will increase from £69.4billion to £79.3bn by 2028/29 and there will be increased funding for adult social care of over £4bn.

Cllr Radford added: “While there is more to potentially ask the government to do in order to help, I think it’s also clear this is a contrast in attitude towards council funding compared to the 14 years [of Conservative rule] that preceded this government.”

Council leader Barry Rawlings agreed the situation had “changed” and was “better” but noted there was “still lobbying and influencing to do”. He added that the council wouldn’t have “total clarification” on its financial position until November.

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