As you’ll be aware, the Government’s spending review has reduced the amount of money available for the Council to spend over the coming years. Barnet, like all local authorities, is faced with making some difficult decisions on how best to continue services with reduced resources, while trying to minimise the impact on residents.

The Children’s Service also continues to face significant pressures. Barnet has seen a 22% increase in births since 2003. This growing population places strain on all Children’s Service areas including social care and primary school places. The costs of high level services such as placements for children with Special Educational Needs and children in care also continue to increase.

Over the next three years the Council is proposing savings of £43.4 million, so all service areas need to make budget reductions.

For 2012/13 the Children’s Service needs to find savings of £1.044m. To help meet demographic pressures, the Children’s Service is requesting investment of £0.75m for 2012/13. We are trying to minimise the impact on services wherever possible by making savings through efficiencies and income generation. However, some proposals will impact on services.

Your views and opinions are important to us and will help us to make the right decisions. The consultation closes on 6 January 2012, and we will take into account your responses before a decision is made by Cabinet and Council on 20 February 2012 and 6 March 2012 respectively.

Please let us know your views by answering the following questions.