Mayor Tom Wootton tagged articles

Bedford Borough mayor calls for CEO’s resignation over “systemic mismanagement” at council

Bedford mayor Tom Wootton has blamed “systemic mismanagement” within the council after ministers ordered a Best Value inspection amid financial and governance concerns...

Council unanimously opposes East West Rail’s car park relocation plans

Bedford Borough Council has unanimously supported a motion by local councillors to oppose the relocation of a multi-storey car park at Bedford station as part of the East West Rail project...

Bedford Borough Council stops short of deleting X account despite child abuse and deepfake concerns

Bedford Borough Council says it will keep X for emergency use despite reports linking the platform to AI-generated sexualised images of children and growing international investigations...

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...

Mayor’s leaked letter offers stark warning if budget isn’t approved

Bedford’s mayor has warned councillors that failure to approve the council’s new budget could mean unelected government officials running the council, according to a leaked letter...

Third time lucky for mayor’s Special Area Charges decision

Bedford’s mayor has signed his third executive decision on Special Area Charges in less than a month. The latest decision, signed on Friday, 30 January, was made after a call-in hearing...

Borough councillors say Special Area Charges call in to clarify decision

Labour councillors say their decision to send the mayor’s Special Area Charges decision back for reconsideration was not intended to lead to increased council tax charges for residents in Kempston West...

Anger over Bedford’s evening parking grows while councillor defends controversial charges

Bedford Borough Council has defended new evening and overnight parking charges at River Street, Lurke Street and other town centre car parks, saying they are needed in a “serious financial situation”...

Bedford Borough open space charges returned to mayor for rethink over Council Tax transparency

A mayoral decision changing how Bedford Borough Council allocates Special Area Charges, which affect council tax bills in different parts of the borough, has been sent...

Mayor Tom Wootton

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