Barnet Council has defended a decision not to commission a report into adult social care staffing following a recruitment freeze.

The council insisted it would provide regular updates on staffing levels as part of its financial recovery plan for adult social care.

Councillor Paul Edwards, Labour member for Underhill, called for a report into staff shortages in a members’ item at the adults and safeguarding committee on September 20.

He was responding to a report that showed 30 vacant frontline posts would remain unfilled during the current financial year.

Labour claims the recruitment freeze is part of the council’s bid to plug a £9 million budget gap that emerged earlier this year.

It comes at a time when demand for social care from older people with increasingly complex needs is growing.

Social care charity Skills for Care has predicted that there is a need for a 44 per cent rise in the number of additional social care jobs by 2030.

Cllr Edwards said: “I am concerned that frozen posts today are next year’s budget cuts, as the council could choose to delete these roles forever.

“The consequences will be felt by local families when the council finds itself unable to meet its statutory duty to deliver care to disabled, elderly and vulnerable residents.”

Conservative members of the committee voted against Cllr Edwards’ proposal after chairman Sachin Rajput said the information he requested would be included as part of reports to future meetings.

Leader of Barnet Council Cllr Richard Cornelius said: "There are continued difficulties in recruitment. This is part of a shortage of qualified candidates. 

"We have spent more than expected on Adult Social Services and so some posts are being held vacant. 

"All councils have to be disciplined when it comes to spending taxpayers' money and at the same time provide a good service. 

"There is not much point in getting a bill for a bureaucratic report to duplicate information councillors already have."

A Barnet Council spokesman said: “It was acknowledged at the committee that the council’s financial recovery plan around adult social care encompasses much of the information outlined in the member’s item. The committee will receive regular updates on the plan.

“This plan has been carefully risk assessed to ensure all of the council’s statutory duties continue to be met.”