Barnet agrees 'easyCouncil' extra charges for residents

Residents in north London will have to pay extra for "first-class" council services such as extra rubbish collections.

Barnet councillors have voted to adopt the "easyCouncil" model, in the style of no-frills airlines such as easyJet.

Under the "Future Shape" scheme, residents would be able to pay more for some services including extra refuse collections or more flexible home care. They will also be able to give the council extra cash to jump planning permission queues, in the same way that airline passengers can pay extra to check in more quickly.

Council leader Mike Freer said: "At the heart of the Future Shape proposals is a new relationship with residents.

"Public services in Barnet need to reflect the changes in customer care that have become standard across the private sector."

Mr Freer added: "I believe wholeheartedly in ensuring high quality services are available to all, but that the day of one size fits all has gone."

He said the moves were a result of financial pressures from an ageing population as well as the council facing dramatically increasing costs in waste management.