Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) tagged articles

Borough Council executive forced back to drawing board after narrow vote rejects budget

Bedford Borough Council’s budget plans were defeated last night in an 18-16 vote, with 11 abstentions, forcing the administration back to the drawing board. Mayor Tom Wootton later warned...

Monthly column: Facing the facts and fixing the finances

I am often asked what it is like being a Mayor after spending my whole working life as a farmer. The reality is simple: on a farm, when a job needs doing, you get on with it. That is the approach...

Unregistered homes costing £11,800 a week as foster carer shortage continues across Bedford Borough

Bedford Borough Council is spending up to £11,800 a week on unregistered homes as a foster carer shortage continues. Children in Bedford Borough are being placed in unregistered...

Balanced Bedford Borough Council budget only possible with Government emergency financial support

Bedford Borough Council’s Executive heard that the authority cannot set a legally balanced budget for next year unless the government approves emergency financial support...

Senior borough councillor says proposed budget is “designed to stabilise frontline services”

Cllr Marc Frost, Bedford Borough Council’s portfolio holder for finance, says the proposed 2026/27 budget is designed to deliver “more focused prevention, faster decision making, and stabilised...

Bedford Borough Council faces £59 million funding gap up to 2030

Bedford Borough Council’s administration has told councillors there will be a £59 million funding gap over the lifetime of its 2025-30 Improvement Plan. The plan was presented to Full Council...

Council staff cuts on the cards to help balance Borough’s books

Bedford Borough Council is planning to reduce staff numbers as part of its financial recovery programme. This is forecast to save £4.2 million a year in savings from April 2026 through what its...

Council executive approves improvement plan to tackle Borough’s financial pressures

Bedford Borough Council’s Executive has approved a wide-ranging plan aimed at overhauling how it operates as it struggles with growing financial pressures and a projected...

Calls for greater transparency with public as Mayor admits request for £55m government bailout

A Bedford councillor says the council is “downplaying” a £55m request for exceptional government financial support, as fresh questions are raised over transparency at Borough Hall...

Changes to green spaces charges could see some paying more council tax

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...

Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA)

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