Mayor Tom Wootton (Conservative) has approved changes to how council tax pays for green spaces and community centres – which could see some residents paying more while others pay less.
This part of a resident’s council tax bill is called “Special Area Charges,” and residents pay for services (such as open spaces and community centres) that directly benefit their area.
Modelled figures show that, before parish precepts are added, the average Band D council tax across the borough would be reduced by £26.31, with increases then applied to areas receiving the services.
Indicative figures suggest Band D charges of £45.08 in Bedford, £26.16 in Kempston, £28.67 in Brickhill, and £12.05 in rural areas.
The executive decision, signed off on 5 January, updates the methodology for apportioning costs for services provided by the borough council in some areas but by parish or town councils elsewhere.
This followed concerns raised by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA).
Read: Bedford Borough Council faces £58.6m medium-term gap as borrowing rises and savings tighten
Revised figures identify £1.7 million of qualifying expenditure to be treated as Special Area Charges for 2026/27, comprising £1.55 million linked to parks and open spaces and £151,879 for community centres.
The report stressed that the figures given are illustrative only and will depend on final budget decisions.
The Special Area Charges must still be approved by Full Council before they can be implemented from April 2026.
This decision can be called in by councillors for scrutiny, and they have seven working days to submit their request.
By John Guinn
Local Democracy Reporter
