“One Barnet”, Barnet Tories’ plan to privatise most of Barnet Council services (probably in two contracts worth up to £1 billion to Capita), is being scrutinised in the High Court this week.
Disabled resident Maria Nash has made an application for a Judicial Review. Day one on Tuesday 19 March involved her barrister, Nigel Giffin, outlining the lack of consultation of residents over the plan. Maria is also bringing her case because she worries that if One Barnet fails to deliver promised savings, council services she relies on will be cut even more severely than at present.
Her fears have received vindication in the last month as the Council has had to step in to bail out “Your Choice Barnet”, the arms-length organisation set up to provide care and support services for disabled adults. YCB was supposed to make a surplus, a repugnant idea in itself! In fact, it has operated at a loss and now needs £1 million from the Council.
The management are trying to impose drastic cuts on the pay and conditions of the workers, and reduce service levels, in order to balance the books. YCB was set up under the auspices of One Barnet.
On Saturday 23 March, we are holding our “Barnet Spring” march to protest against One Barnet and the cuts. Assemble: 11 am, Finchley Central tube; march sets off at noon to Friern Barnet Community Library.
There is a bus available for those who prefer not to walk.
