Bedford Borough Council is preparing to launch a public consultation on proposals to save £11.5 million in 2026/27, as it faces what it calls “considerable financial challenges” in the years ahead.
If approved by the Council’s Executive on Tuesday, 15 October 2025, the consultation on the savings plan will run from Sunday, 20 October, to Tuesday, 18 November (noon).
The council says that the savings represent the first stage in closing a projected £32.5 million funding gap for 2026/27, part of a longer-term shortfall of £58.6 million by 2029/30.
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The financial strain is being driven by rising demand, demographic change and uncertainty around future government funding.
Proposals
The draft savings plan includes:
- Ending the four-hour free parking scheme at Allhallows and Lurke Street multi-storey car parks, with a full review of parking charges
- Introducing charges for green waste collections, as part of a wider review of the waste service
- Reducing or removing grants to voluntary and community organisations, including:
- Rural Grants (£100,000)
- Climate Change Grants (£100,000)
- Community Chest (£10,000)
- Bedfordshire CVS funding (£40,000)
- Reviewing library services, leisure contracts, public conveniences and community partnerships for further savings
- Restructuring within the council, including changes to the mayor’s office and communications teams
The council says that the measures are necessary to fulfil its legal obligation to set a balanced budget by 28 February 2026, while protecting statutory services wherever possible.
Free parking pause
The announcement follows the Mayor’s decision yesterday (8 October) to pause the four-hour free parking scheme in town centre car parks from Monday, 3 November 2025, as part of cost-saving measures.
Read: Mayor pauses four-hour free parking scheme amid Bedford Borough Council financial pressures
Mayor Tom Wootton (Conservative) said that the decision was a “difficult but responsible” one, made to protect essential services.
“This isn’t a decision I wanted to make, but one I have been forced to make due to the serious financial pressures facing the council,” he said.
“Free parking has been good for our town and local businesses, and I remain fully committed to bringing it back to Allhallows and Lurke Street multi-storey car parks when the Borough’s finances allow.
“Right now, my priority must be to protect essential services and the residents who rely on them most.”
Opposition reaction
Opposition councillors have criticised both the new savings proposals and the earlier decision to suspend free parking.
Cllr Doug McMurdo (Independent, Sharnbrook) described the move as a “fiasco”, saying he had repeatedly questioned the financial case for free parking.
“I want free parking as much as anyone, but it comes at a cost,” he wrote on social media. “I repeatedly asked for the business case… well, clearly not the case. See Tom’s parking fiasco.”
Liberal Democrat leader cllr Henry Vann (De Parys) said residents would be “devastated” by the proposed cuts, which he argued target frontline services and community support.
“Frontline services such as public toilets, libraries and grass cutting are under direct attack,” he said.
“These proposals also take the axe to important support for our rural communities and families throughout the Borough. Then to add insult to injury, they plan to increase charges for parking, green bin collections and higher council tax for households most in need.”
Cllr Vann also accused the Conservative administration of “a costly spending spree” and “failing to control borrowing”, citing investments such as the purchase of the former Debenhams building and the Oasis Beach Pool refurbishment.
“After driving the council to bankruptcy, the Conservative response is to announce these devastating cuts – even as their property buying budget of £13m stays in place,” he said.
Egos not welcome
Cllr Lucy Bywater (Green, Castle) welcomed the review of free parking but warned that broader decisions on balancing the council’s finances must be made “in the interests of all Bedfordians”.
“I’m glad the Mayor has decided to reduce the amount of ‘free’ parking, finally acknowledging it’s not affordable to the council in these crisis times,” she said.
“As Greens, we opposed this ‘freebie’ to motorists from the beginning, not least due to the expense and lack of evidence of benefit to the town, but also recognising that nearly 20% of Bedford Borough households don’t own a car.”
She added that cross-party cooperation would be essential:
“As well as holding the Tory executive to account, cooperation between all parties and frankly setting aside egos will be needed for the benefit of the borough. Very difficult times lie ahead.”
A report to the executive also outlines plans for a new Improvement Plan, which will bring together workstreams aimed at improving efficiency, accountability, and financial resilience across the council.
The public consultation on the savings proposals is expected to open later this month, with final decisions on the 2026/27 budget due in February 2026.
You can read Item 9 of the executive meeting (15 October) that outlines the savings proposals here.
Additional reporting by John Guinn
Local Democracy Reporter
