10 October 2025
Bedford Ian has been looking at recent goings on across Bedford Borough and tells us what he thinks of it all…
Wootton earth is going on?
We’ve all known the storm clouds were gathering over Borough Hall ever since that CIPFA report landed, warning the council to get its financial house in order or risk joining the long queue of local authorities flirting with bankruptcy.
Read: Bedford Borough Council told to tighten spending and boost income to avoid Section 114 notice
This week, those storm clouds opened — and it’s not just raining, it’s pouring.
The Mayor has announced a “pause” (the council’s favourite synonym for goodbye) on the four hours of free parking in multi-storey car parks.
Read: Mayor pauses four-hour free parking scheme amid Bedford Borough Council financial pressures
Then, as Bedfordians were still digesting that, came talk of cutting council tax support for the Borough’s most vulnerable, charging for green waste collections, slicing up community grants, and even reviewing libraries, leisure contracts and public loos.
When the toilets are under review, you know things have gone to, well, you get the idea.
But some cuts have already been decided. The council has axed the Ward Fund scheme, £340,000 that councillors could use to support local projects, without even consulting them.
The official paperwork states, with delightful understatement, “Due to the urgent nature of this decision, ward councillors’ views have not been sought.” Translation: “We didn’t ask because we knew what the answer would be.”
Read: Scheme allowing councillors to support Bedford community projects to be scrapped
Meanwhile, the empty Debenhams building continues to drain £450,000 a year from taxpayer pockets, a price tag that could fund quite a few green bins, or at least a functioning hand dryer in the Bus Station toilets.
The Mayor insists it’s too soon to say whether buying Debenhams was a good idea. He’ll apparently know by November. Or Christmas. Possibly next Easter.
Read: Mayor rejects calls to sell former Debenhams building costing taxpayers £450,000 each year
So, what’s next for Bedford? Each time we think we’ve weathered one storm, another appears on the horizon. Is the Mayor burying his head in the sand, or is this simply defiant bravery that will pay off in the long run?
One day, we’ll find out. But for now, it seems “fingers crossed” might not be the best strategy for financial success.
Ego boost
Cllr Lucy Bywater (Green, Castle) warned ahead of this week’s full council meeting that only genuine cross-party cooperation will get Bedford through its current financial storm.
Sensible advice, though it’s hard to imagine every councillor setting aside party politics for the greater good of the people they represent.
Read: Parking, green bins, library services and community grants among areas facing cuts in new council savings plan
“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,” she said. Very true, but perhaps easier said than done.
Several councillors from across the political divide are said to be pushing for a cross-party group to tackle these challenges head-on, with the needs of residents at its heart. But it seems that some of the louder voices in each party are not so keen.
Watching the meeting, which went on until almost midnight (yawn), it was clear that infighting remains alive and well, no doubt fuelled by certain councillors saying things that don’t serve any purpose other than to stroke their own egos.
And politicians wonder why people are sick of politics.
Speed check
Thanks to the Bedford Independent reader who sent this in.
Does anyone know what the speed limit is as you turn into Kingswood Way off Branston Way?
True Bedfordian
It was an afternoon of mixed emotions for Bedford Independent editor, Paul Hutchinson, who attended the relaunch of the Damm Eagle Brewery yesterday (Thursday).
Before Bedford’s favourite newspaper was launched, Paul was the PR Manager for Charles Wells, the former owners of the Eagle Brewery, prior to its sale to Marston’s.
He told me the event was as much a trip down memory lane as it was a chance to see what Damm has done with the place.
Paul said it was wonderful to catch up with former colleagues and reminisce about the good times they shared working for what was then the UK’s largest family-run brewery, an employer that has played a major role in the lives of countless Bedfordians over the years.
When his years at the brewery came to an end in 2017, following a round of staff downsizing, a friend offered some comforting words, “You’re not a real Bedfordian until you’ve worked at and then been made redundant by Charles Wells.”
Along with eating a Bedfordshire Clanger, staying at The Rose ’til close or anything else on this list, that’s quite a badge of honour.
See you soon, Bedford Ian.
PS: If you see anything Bedford Ian might find amusing, tell us at news@BedfordIndependent.co.uk.
