A GROUP opposing cuts to council budgets in Barnet is having a public meeting with a leading expert in public services tonight.

Professor Dexter Whitfield will address an audience at the meeting organised by the Barnet Alliance for Public Services (BAPS) and Unison.

Two weeks ago Barnet Council passed a budget slashing £54m over the next three years as Government grants are set to drop.

But unions are unhappy with council plans, known as One Barnet or easyCouncil, to outsource several departments in a bid to make further savings.

Prof Whitfield has produced a series of critiques of the plans so far and will be talking about costs and consequences of Barnet’s policies, the effects on jobs and a possible erosion of accountability and transparency.

The meeting is being held at the Greek Cypriot Community Centre, Britania Road, North Finchley, from 7pm.