Removing Bedford’s mayor from office would cost local taxpayers an estimated £350,000, according to Bedford Borough Council, as opposition groups step up pressure on Tom Wootton (Conservative) to resign.
The figure, provided by the council, is the estimated cost of holding a mayoral by-election.
A council spokesperson said: “A by-election could only be held upon the disqualification for holding office, ceasing to qualify, death or resignation of the incumbent mayor.”
The disclosure comes as the Liberal Democrats, Labour and the Green Group have launched petitions expressing no confidence in the mayor’s leadership, while Independent councillor Doug McMurdo has also called for him to step down.
- Read: Councillors launch joint petition calling for Bedford Borough mayor to resign
- Read: Bedford Borough councillors launch two more petitions calling for mayor’s resignation
- Read: Labour councillors declare no confidence in Bedford mayor as opposition pressure grows
The Lib Dems claim the mayor’s recently approved budget “has a hole in it that gets bigger and bigger every year”, pointing to rising council tax, service cuts and a request to government for a £55 million bailout.
Cllr Abu Sultan, leader of Bedford Borough Labour Group, criticised the mayor’s response to the Government’s decision to send best value inspectors into the authority, saying the administration should be taking responsibility for the council’s financial position rather than blaming officers.
In a Labour Group press release, Deputy Labour group leader Cllr Sue Oliver, said she wasn’t in favour of a directly elected mayor.
“It is time local people had their say on whether they want to stay with this model of local government,” she said, “A referendum could be held when there are elections here in May 2027.”
The council spokesperson said: “A referendum on the governance structure of an elected mayor or alternative model would cost an estimated £350,000 for the electoral processes of the referendum.
“There could potentially be a further cost to the council if the governance structure was changed in terms of officer time to amend current processes and procedures.
“In order to hold a referendum, the council can pass a resolution to hold a referendum or a petition signed by at least 5 per cent of the electorate for the Borough (ie. 6,940) can be submitted.
“Either of these would trigger a referendum, the result of which would be binding.
“If the proper officer of the council received a council resolution or a petition then a referendum would be required to be held within six months of the date the resolution was made or the date that the petition was received.”
When responding to the Lib Dem petition, Conservative group leader cllr Graeme Coombes called the move “petty political point scoring,” accusing the opposition of failing to support efforts to address serious challenges facing the council.
By John Guinn
Local Democracy Reporter
