Bedford Borough Labour Group has today (Monday, 28 July) reaffirmed its “commitment to residents, frontline services and financial stability” in the wake of a damning report.
The recent draft report of the CIPFA Finance and Resilience Review warned of risks to the council’s financial sustainability, sparking a war of words between the council’s Conservative and Lib Dem groups.
The Labour Group said the report (commissioned in March) outlines “significant concerns” around governance, finance capacity, income strategy and the long-term viability of reserves, warning that Bedford Borough Council may be approaching a Section 114 position if decisive action is not taken.
While the Conservative and Liberal Democrat groups have engaged in public exchanges, “trading blame over past decisions”, Labour said it is calling for unity and responsibility.
Councillor Abu Sultan, leader of the Bedford Labour Group, said: “Our priority is, and always will be, the residents of Bedford borough.
“In this moment of financial uncertainty, the Labour Group stands ready to support the council, protect vital services, safeguard jobs and work constructively across political lines to deliver a credible recovery.
“The Labour Group is urging all parties to set aside political point-scoring and instead come together to ensure Bedford’s most vulnerable residents continue to receive essential support.
“This includes adult social care, children’s services and homelessness prevention.
“All councillors need to recognise there will be difficult and unpopular decisions to come, which, unfortunately, they now have little choice about. When these decisions are made, it is important the reasons for them are clearly communicated to residents.”
The Labour Group said it fully supports a “clear and transparent” action plan to respond to the recommendations made by CIPFA, ensuring stronger financial governance, better oversight of contracts and capital spending, and improving capacity within the finance team.
Councillor Sultan said: “Labour will not stand by while residents are left to pay the price of indecision or division.
“We will fight to protect local services, advocate for sustainable income generation, not just cuts and push for a cooperative approach that puts Bedford borough first.”
The Labour Group is also calling on the mayor to bring forward a detailed recovery strategy to full council at the earliest opportunity, ensuring every councillor has the opportunity to contribute, scrutinise and shape the way forward.
The group said its message is “in contrast to the negative rhetoric seen in recent weeks”.
“Let’s focus on solutions, not sides”, it said.
by John Guinn
Local Democracy Reporter
