Welcome to the Barnet Budget Options Simulator

The Council is working hard to keep council tax the same or as low as possible. 1% of council tax represents £1.5m of spending. Central Government is not increasing Barnet's grant therefore we have to do more for less.

The Council is developing the budget for 2010/11. As part of the budget setting process the council is consulting on some options and priorities. The responses to the budget consultation will be reported to Officers and Members for consideration. Consultation is important in the process as it demonstrates engagement, and gives you the opportunity to express your views as part of the process.

The Budget Options Simulator allows you to find out about a range of services that the Council is responsible for and the costs associated with these.

How does it work?

You will see budget options within each of Barnet's corporate priority headings.

Review each option

If you feel spending could be reduced, decide by how much or

If you feel spending levels should not be reduced, then keep the budget unchanged.

How doing this will help:

Doing this will help the Council to get a better feel for different people's views about spending priorities as plans are made for next year's Budget. The Council will make its final decisions at the end of February 2010.We hope it will also help you to understand the difficult choices the Council faces in trying to keep council tax increases down, while maintaining and, where possible, improving essential services.

Away you go...

The simulator shouldn't take more than a few minutes to do. Have fun. We look forward to seeing your suggestions.