BARNET Council spent £23,000 defending a judicial review over warden cuts.

Council leader Lynne Hillan revealed the figure after a question from Lib Dem leader Jack Cohen at a council meeting on Tuesday night.

She said the figure was “five per cent of the planned efficiency saving for one year”, and defended the budget of £5 million set aside to fight litigation next year saying: “There are always a number of legal battles going on.”

Cllr Hillan also said the council had not dropped the policy to scrap wardens based in residential accommodation, despite the loss at the review in December.

In an answer to questions from Cllr Cohen and Labour leader Alison Moore, she said: “The High Court judgement referred to the manner in which the decision was taken and not the proposed changes.

“Cabinet will be receiving and considering a report setting out the details of the judgement at the next cabinet meeting on February 3, which will inform next steps.”

At the meeting it was also revealed just 430 residents had used the budget simulator on the council website, designed to allow residents to have a say in where they think cuts could be made.

Cllr Hillan said the views of the residents would be considered when the final details are being made for next year's budget.

The future of the Free After Three parking scheme was also thrown into doubt after Cllr Daniel Thomas, who is in charge of transport, revealed it cost the council about £100,000 in lost revenue.

He said there would be a review of how successful the scheme was and how many extra people it bought to town centres before deciding whether to run it again this year.