Bedford Borough Council staff will now be expected to work from the office at least three days a week, as part of a shift in workplace policy announced tonight by Mayor Tom Wootton.
Mayor Wootton (Conservative) announced in a social media post from the Council Chamber, where he also revealed next week’s executive meeting has been cancelled due to a “thin” agenda and key reports not being ready.
‘We had two choices. Push ahead with half-baked paperwork or do the right thing. Wait, consolidate, and come back in July with a full and proper agenda. I am choosing the latter,’ he wrote.
‘You do not build good services on Teams calls from the sofa.’
He said the return-to-office requirement was essential to foster collaboration, improve visibility, and restore a strong workplace culture.
Mixed views for WFH
Nationally, remote and hybrid working remains widespread across the public sector. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), around 28% of working adults in the UK followed a hybrid model in late 2024.
Studies offer a mixed picture. The London School of Economics found that working from home in administrative public sector roles can boost productivity by around 12%.
Other research, however, suggests little to no change in overall productivity, but many staff members report increased focus and well-being at home.
Concerns persist, however, over reduced team cohesion and slower innovation in remote settings. In July 2024, a University of Essex study said that working from home was “stifling innovation”.
Some local authorities have been criticised for maintaining expensive and underused buildings while staff work largely from home. In contrast, others have embraced hybrid working as a way to modernise public service and improve recruitment and retention.
The Mayor’s decision marks a significant shift in approach, suggesting that council officers will be assessed not just on outcomes, but by visible commitment to ‘a high-performance culture’.
‘Openness and innovation are not just buzzwords; they are daily practice, ‘ he added.
The Mayor said the move reverses what he called the previous administration’s ‘lax approach to remote working’ and is part of his wider ‘stability plan’ to boost productivity, professionalism, and pride in public service.
We have contacted Bedford Borough Liberal Democrats for comment.
