Barnet Council Leader to Listen to Independent Schools’ Concerns

Barnet Council Leader to Listen to Independent Schools’ Concerns
· Cllr Barry Rawlings recognises challenges particularly facing faith-based independent schools.
· Meeting will explore how the council can support the sector
Barnet Council’s Labour Leader, Councillor Barry Rawlings, is to meet with representatives of the borough’s independent schools to explore how the council can support the sector.
The borough’s independent schools face a challenging environment, given recent necessary tax changes required to put the public finances on a sustainable footing.
Cllr Rawlings said: “The recent Government budget was an honest budget. It did raise tax because people know that you have to do that to fix our public services. We are saying good bye to the make-believe of the Conservative years.
“But those changes have challenged many people, including independent schools.
“I will be attending the meeting to listen, particularly to our faith-based independent schools, many of whom have a very flexible fees model and so may find the changes particularly difficult.”
Cllr Rawlings will be meeting representatives of independent schools as part of Barnet Independent Schools Standards Partnership Board on Monday 3rd February, where senior council officers will also be in attendance.
The Board is a new initiative that meets quarterly. This means that regular institutionalised contact between the independent sector and the council is greater under Labour than it was under the Conservatives.
Cllr Rawlings also commented on ongoing discussions with Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government on Extraordinary Financial Support for the Council. Barnet is requesting £59million for 2025/26.
Cllr Rawlings said: ““Conservative Government cuts to local government have halved Barnet’s budget since 2010 leaving a very challenging financial position. Then we were hit with the Liz Truss interest rate hikes, and to top it off the Barnet Conservatives put us on the hook for capital spending that has burned through our reserves.
“We face escalating social care costs given our older population, and the temporary accommodation costs of an inner London council.
“Government is understanding of our situation and discussions have been constructive.”