Bedford Borough Council has approved the 2026/27 budget, which includes an almost 5% rise in council tax. Just 16 councillors supported its approval.
Council Tax will increase by 4.99% (2.99% core plus 2% Adult Social Care precept) to help meet what councillors say is “unavoidable cost pressures”.
Mayor of Bedford Borough, Tom Wootton (Conservative) said: “I am pleased that councillors have come together to support a balanced budget that safeguards adult social care, children’s services and homelessness support at a time of real financial pressure.
“This is a time for seriousness and responsibility, where we should all be putting the Borough ahead of party politics.”
This is the second time the budget has been sent for approval after it was dramatically rejected by two votes and 11 abstentions earlier this month. This time, the budget passed by 16 votes to 11, with 16 abstentions.
Read: Borough Council executive forced back to drawing board after narrow vote rejects budget
Government support needed
The budget is dependent on a pending government decision on Exceptional Financial Support (EFS), a form of emergency financial flexibility that allows councils to borrow or use capital receipts to cover day-to-day spending pressures.
In practice, it can mean borrowing over many years or selling assets to plug gaps in the council’s running budget.
Finance portfolio holder cllr Marc Frost (Wixams, Conservative) told the meeting the council was operating in “extremely challenging financial circumstances” and could not balance its budget without government support.
The council expects a decision on its EFS application later this month, and councillor Frost said the budget was deliverable “on the basis that this support is available – and we fully expect it to be.”
Cllr Frost said amendments had been made following discussions across political groups since the last budget vote earlier this month.
The council has dropped a proposed £200,000 saving linked to the maintenance and calibration of average speed cameras, after feedback from parish councils.
Instead, Bedford Borough Council will fund maintenance for a further period, while reviewing whether some cameras should be relocated or removed if there is “no local support.”
The budget also includes funding for:
- Two additional anti-social behaviour officers, covering Queen’s Park and other areas of high need
- Extra town centre cleaning, including a full clean ahead of Sunday visitors
- Increased cleaning of public toilets
Cllr Frost said: “These are practical and visible improvements that residents will notice immediately.”
Frontline services prioritised
The administration said the budget prioritised frontline services, including additional investment in children’s social care.
“This budget prioritises frontline services,” cllr Frost said, “The papers include an additional £1 million for children’s services, and that’s on top of the money that was in the previous budget.
“They will further strengthen our ability to address pressures in that service. There’s additional funding confirmed from central government for homelessness and rough sleeping, which has been confirmed following the final settlement.
“This [budget] is about stability, realism, and ensuring this council can deliver for the whole borough while navigating a very difficult financial landscape.”
The Labour Group said it could not support the budget but would abstain rather than “add to instability.”
Deputy group leader cllr Carl Meader (Kempston South) said the group acknowledged engagement since the last meeting, but said “conversations do not on their own fix broken finances.”
“It relies too heavily on short-term measures, delays the hardest decisions, and leaves too many services under strain with little certainty about the future,” he said.
The leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, cllr Henry Vann (De Parys) told the chamber he expected the plan would pass “with barely a third of councillors voting for it”, and urged the administration to reflect on the level of support.
“I am concerned that this budget is planning to fail,” he said, “The position does get worse year-on-year, £20 million, £25 million, then £27 million, and that includes the savings already identified.
He added that the budget was “storing up pain for the future”, with difficult decisions being “loaded on to current and future taxpayers”.
“If it does pass,” he said, “It is not a victory or an endorsement.”
Still struggling
Independent cllr Doug McMurdo (Sharnbrook) warned the council was relying on emergency support and said it was “alarming” that the authority was still struggling to find further savings despite the seriousness of the financial challenge.
Green cllr Lucy Bywater (Castle) welcomed some of the late amendments, including the retention of speed camera funding and additional cleaning for public toilets and the town centre.
“People going into town on Sundays to support our local businesses will benefit,” she said.
However, she said the Green group did not feel able to support the overall budget, warning of missed opportunities to raise income through fees and charges that would not affect the poorest residents.
The mayor has proposed a new monthly Executive finance and improvement committee, involving political group leaders and an independent member, to scrutinise progress on savings targets, budget delivery and the council’s improvement plan.
Cllr Frost said the work would be carried out “in an open and transparent way,” with regular reporting shared with all councillors.
The council is legally required to set a balanced budget by the end of February ahead of the new financial year beginning on April 1.
Turbulent period
The budget agreement comes amid a turbulent period as government officials conduct a Best Value inspection to determine whether the processes and culture at Borough Hall are working in the best interests of Bedfordians.
- Read: Government inspectors to examine Bedford Borough Council as financial pressures continue
- Read: What is a “best value” inspection – and why does it matter to Bedford?
Almost all councillors outside of the Conservative Party have registered their “no confidence” in the mayor, calling on him to resign.
- Read: Councillors launch joint petition calling for Bedford Borough mayor to resign
- Read: Bedford Borough councillors launch two more petitions calling for mayor’s resignation
- Read: Labour councillors declare no confidence in Bedford mayor as opposition pressure grows
This is a breaking news story; more details will be added as they become available.
By John Guinn, Local Democracy Reporter.
Additional reporting by Paul Hutchinson, Bedford Independent
