Planned increases to a range of Bedford Borough Council fees and charges have been pushed back and scaled down for some residents, after opposition councillors raised concerns at a meeting of the council’s Executive.
The new schedule of fees was discussed last night (19 November), with officers explaining that the charges are intended to generate income “where allowable” to help balance the current budget and support the council’s medium-term financial plan.
Some increases were originally due to take effect in December, just weeks after the meeting. Cllr Doug McMurdo (Independent, Sharnbrook) questioned whether that was fair to residents.
Read: Storm brews over proposed changes to Bedford’s Council Tax Reduction Scheme
He said he was concerned that people could face a 10 per cent uplift “in two weeks’ time”, given that the former administration had already agreed a review of fees and charges in October.
Fee rises delayed
In response, portfolio holder for finance and corporate services, cllr Marc Frost (Conservative, Wixams and Wilstead), told the meeting the report had been scheduled for debate in September but was moved.
He confirmed that, following the points raised, the recommendation would be amended so that the new fees and charges will now begin on 1 January rather than in December.
The Executive approved the updated schedule of fees and charges, including the later start date.
Read: Bedford Borough Councillors argue after council tax scheme consultation scrapped
Cllr Lucy Bywater (Castle and Newnham) used the same meeting to challenge proposed increases in pest control charges for residents on the council tax reduction scheme.
She warned that higher fees could deter some people on the lowest incomes from reporting infestations promptly.
She said residents in poorer-quality rented housing, often with limited control over their accommodation, could face health risks if they delayed contacting pest control due to cost.
After conferring with the council’s finance director during the meeting, cllr Frost confirmed that pest control fees for people receiving council tax reduction support would now only rise in line with inflation, rather than by the higher rate initially proposed.
Read: Public consultation now open on Bedford Borough Council’s budget proposals
Council tax support row
In a statement after the meeting, the Bedford Borough Green group said they welcomed what cllr Bywater described as a “small measure” of protection for those facing pest problems on low incomes.
However, they argued that wider changes being considered by the Executive, including proposed reductions in council tax support for some households, would dwarf any savings on pest control fees.
Cllr Ben Foley (Green, Greyfriars) told the meeting the executive was “treating the consultation process with contempt” by not revising council tax support proposals that a majority in the consultation had rejected.
He has since launched a petition calling for the plans to be withdrawn.
Cllr Bywater added she and fellow Green councillors would continue to “do what we can to help shield Bedford’s poorest” from the impact of any future changes to fees, charges or council tax support.
The Executive’s overall package of fees and charges, including the delayed start date and revised pest control charges for council tax reduction claimants, was agreed on the night, with further debate on council tax support due separately.
Additional reporting by John Guinn
Local Democracy Reporter
