Barnet Council sets 2029 deadline to close £200m budget gap
Council tax may rise by up to 30% as CIPFA report urges review of historically low rates
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Barnet Council has committed to closing its £200 million structural budget deficit by March 2029, with a financial sustainability plan due to be presented to cabinet on 12 October. The council’s Cabinet Member for Financial Sustainability, Cllr Simon Radford, said the scale of the challenge requires "very painful decisions" and an "honest conversation" with residents.
The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) published a report in the week of 19 August 2026, which identified the deficit and recommended changes to council tax and waste collections. The report analysed the council’s financial position as of 2024-25, though the council says it has since made progress in reducing costs.
Barnet Council Considers 5% Tax Hike, Fortnightly Bin Collections
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Council tax could rise by 30%
CIPFA recommended that Barnet review its historically low council tax levels. The government’s notional Band D rate for Barnet is £2,060, which would require a 30% increase on the current rate. The council has already assumed a 5% rise for the coming year, taking Band D to £1,703, but any further increase would need government approval or a local referendum.
Radford said council tax increases would disproportionately affect low and middle-income households. The council has prioritised finding savings before considering further rises, but the government’s funding settlement assumes Barnet will collect the higher rate. The council is exploring ways to mitigate the impact on vulnerable residents.
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Bin collections and recycling under review
CIPFA also recommended aligning Barnet’s bin collection frequency with other boroughs. The council is already planning to introduce fortnightly waste collections next year to boost recycling rates. The change is part of a cross-party effort to meet the North London Joint Waste Strategy’s target of 50% recycling by 2027.
Barnet Council has reduced its reliance on exceptional financial support by £10 million and brought adult social care costs below the national average per adult. However, demand for statutory services, particularly adult social care, is growing twice as fast as the council’s income. Radford said the system is "broken" without national policy intervention.
“We effectively have a broken system that needs fundamental and fast reform from government, including through initiatives like the Casey Commission on adult social care.”
Cllr Simon Radford, Barnet Council Cabinet Member for Financial Sustainability
What happens next
The council’s financial sustainability programme board will finalise its plan ahead of the 12 October cabinet meeting. Residents will be consulted on proposed changes, including potential council tax increases and service adjustments, after the summer. Radford said the council will begin an "open and honest conversation" with the public in the coming weeks.
Questions this report answers
+How much is Barnet Council’s budget deficit?
Barnet Council has a £200 million structural deficit, which it aims to close by March 2029. The gap has grown due to rising demand for statutory services, such as adult social care, outpacing the council’s income and central government funding.
+Will council tax in Barnet go up?
The government’s notional Band D council tax rate for Barnet is £2,060, a 30% increase on current levels. The council has assumed a 5% rise for next year but says any further increase would need government approval or a local referendum.
+What changes are planned for bin collections?
Barnet Council is considering fortnightly waste collections to boost recycling rates. The change is part of a plan to meet the North London Joint Waste Strategy’s target of 50% recycling by 2027, as recommended by CIPFA.
+When will residents be consulted on the council’s plans?
Barnet Council will begin consulting residents on its financial sustainability plan after the summer. The plan, including potential council tax rises and service changes, will be presented to cabinet on 12 October 2026.
Barnet Press News Desk
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