Bedford Borough Council’s Liberal Democrat and Labour administration is on course to record a huge overspend on its Corn Exchange and museum budgets – despite having known about the financial difficulties for months.
The Council’s ‘Corn Exchange’ budget covers events at the Corn Exchange such as weddings, conferences and shows as well as the ‘Number 13’ café bar. It also comprises outdoor events including the Kite Festival and the Council’s heritage sites.
According to a recent report to the Mayor’s Executive, it is expected that the ‘Corn Exchange’ budget will be overspent by £155k at the end of the financial year. Meanwhile the budget for The Higgins, the Council’s museum, is set to be in the red to the tune of £101k.
Conservative Cllr Roger Rigby, the Conservative Group Environment Spokesman said:
‘The Mayor and his Executive have lost control. How can you set budgets in February and by December have overspent by 52% on the Corn Exchange? Taxpayers will also have to find another £101k for losses at The Higgins.
‘In September the Mayor and his Executive said they would resolve the Corn Exchange and museum budget losses but they have failed. The Liberal Democrats and Labour do not have a clue as to how to resolve their own financial mess.’