The second contract of the One Barnet outsourcing programme has been published online by Barnet Council.

The contract with Capita covers the creation of a new joint venture to run the council’s development and regulatory services. The council said it was publishing the contract in a bid to be ‘as open as possible’ with data.

Daniel Thomas, deputy leader and cabinet member for policy and performance, said: ‘Barnet Council is determined to set a gold standard for local government transparency.

‘The publication online of the contract to provide our back office services was a landmark for local government so this second contract has to be seen as part of an ongoing commitment to openness.’

Earlier this morning, Barnet denied it had acted unlawfully in paying £16.1m to Capita in August despite previously claiming the company would be making an upfront investment.