Councillors across Bedford Borough Council have launched a joint petition calling for Mayor Tom Wootton (Conservative) to resign.
The announcement was made in an email sent to subscribers of the Bedford Borough Liberal Democrats Group news updates.
In it, their leader cllr Henry Vann (De Parys), said: “After three years leading us to this situation and ignoring our warnings, we are now working with other Councillors to submit a petition to the Council to call for the Mayor’s resignation.
“Things cannot continue as they are for a moment longer than is necessary. But we need your help to make it clear that things need to change. Please sign our petition for the Mayor to stand down, and share with family and friends, encouraging them to also sign it”.
The Bedford Independent understands councillors of other parties are also backing the petition, but we have not had this confirmed directly.
Bedford Borough Conservative group leader and cllr Graeme Coombes (Wixams) has responded angrily to the move.
“This is exactly the type of petty political point scoring you’d expect from this Lib Dem opposition,” he said.
“It is one of many reasons that the government have had to step in, because the opposition are failing to support us as we try to resolve the serious issues.
“I know the mayor and the cabinet continue to welcome not only the scrutiny, but the support of the Inspectors. Hopefully, it will bring about a new fresh approach from the opposition, and more grown up politics in Bedford.”
Best Value inspection
Earlier this week, the Bedford Independent broke the news that Bedford Borough Council was due to be inspected by Government officials as part of a Best Value inspection.
Read: Government inspectors to examine Bedford Borough Council as financial pressures continue
The mayor welcomed the inspection and called for the chief executive officer of Bedford Borough Council to resign.
Read: Bedford Borough mayor calls for CEO’s resignation over “systemic mismanagement” at council
Editor’s note: We are a politically neutral newspaper and, as such, have decided not to link to the petition here. We believe there is enough information in this article for those who genuinely wish to make their feelings known to find the petition themselves.
This is a breaking news story; further details may be added as they come in.
