The self proclaimed “Easy Council” tag will no doubt come back time and time and time again to haunt Barnet. I note the Tory cabinet has decided to cut grants to some voluntary groups. In the scheme of things (think Icelandic Banks), the amounts are small. But to the groups deprived of the income it can mean the difference between survival and going under.

These cuts amount to just over £10500. Supporters of this Administration argue that the cuts are necessary or they blame it all on the Government. Whilst it’s true that Government funding is not generous to Barnet it also true, in my view that the Conservative Administration is not looking after our money.

One of the oft proclaimed boasts of the Administration is that they want to protect front line services. To do this they intend to cut the back of office staff. All very laudable you might say. So how do you explain a series of job adverts that have appeared in the local press?

Under the banner of “HR Transformation “the following posts are being advertised, Head of Business Partnering and Employee Engagement £64,440 -£69,387 pa Head of Service Delivery £64,440 -£69,387pa HR Customer Services Manager £46,497-£49,344pa Employee Relations Manager £45,594-£48,393pa Resourcing Manager £44,708- £47,433pa Reward Manager £38,754- £41,199pa Performance and Talent Manager £36,810 -£39,396pa HR Policy Manager £36,810 -£39,396pa I make that a total spend between £378,053 and £403,935pa.

The job description for the Reward Manager is interesting and includes the following.” You will be responsible for ensuring that the Council is effectively positioned within the market place to attract, motivate and retain employees”

Is this the same Council which under its “future shape plans”, pledges to cut the workforce and slash millions from the Budget? Is this the same Council “which under the future shape plans” is considering merging its HR department with other large organisations to save money? Confused? I bet the work force is.