Bedford’s Conservatives have defended the decision to reduce the number of Mayor Tom Wootton’s responsibilities from 13 to eight, saying the old roles were “dysfunctional and outdated”.
In the published agenda for Full Council on Wednesday (15 May), the mayor is listed as being in charge of eight areas, as opposed to 13 in the Agenda in 2023.
In the 12 months since taking power in May 2023, Mr Wootton no longer holds responsibility for Business Rates Relief, Economic Development, Partnerships, Procurement Planning Policy, Voluntary Organisations, Internal Audit and Property/Asset Management.
He has taken on responsibility for Inward Investment, Human Resources and Emergency Planning (including Flooding).
The changes were highlighted by Liberal Democrat group leader, Cllr Henry Vann, who said: “This is a backward step for the first citizen of
the Borough.
“It is particularly concerning that he has dropped responsibility for Economic Development – something that [former mayor] Dave Hodgson made a top personal priority in order to see local businesses grow and create jobs for local residents.
“I think voluntary organisations will also be disappointed to see that he has dropped them from his role.”
Cllr Vann said the change, “just sends the wrong message” and accused Mr Wootton of “taking his foot off the gas”.
However, Conservative group leader and portfolio holder for finance & corporate services, Councillor Graeme Coombes defended the action.
He said: “The previous roles and responsibilities were outdated and dysfunctional, delivering for no one.
“In order to better deliver for Bedford residents, the Mayor and Executive took a bold step forward by realigning responsibilities so that the whole of the Council and Executive can work towards priorities more holistically rather than imposing decisions from on high as the Liberal Democrat’s Mayor previously did and Cllr Vann appears enamoured with.”
He said the revised responsibilities allow the Mayor, Executive and Council to “function as a team with all of us working together to ensure continuity across the whole Council and on all priorities, the realignment of responsibilities achieves that.”
