Bedford Borough’s Conservative Councillors and Mayor Tom Wootton have expressed deep disappointment after the Council’s proposed 2026/27 budget was voted down by just 2 votes.
Bedford Borough Council is facing some of the toughest financial pressures in years, with costs rising fastest in the services the Council is legally required to provide - demand and spending continue to climb sharply in adult social care, children’s services, and support for homeless households.
At the same time, Government funding has not kept pace with these pressures. Combined with long-term decisions over the past decade, this has left the Council with less financial resilience to absorb sudden increases in costs.
In just the last two years, these pressures have helped drive the Council’s revenue budget from £170 million to £225 million, largely because more funding is needed to meet growing demand for essential services.
The budget that was rejected was designed to protect frontline services and meet the Council’s legal duties, including:
- £12 million more for Adult Services
- £10 million more for Children’s Services
- Additional funding to tackle rising homelessness
- More investment in potholes and road repairs
Almost £189 million of the budget was allocated to core services supporting vulnerable residents and delivering essential day-to-day services.
The failure to set a legally balanced budget risks Government intervention, which means the Council could face special measures, with commissioners appointed to run the authority - putting many services and staff jobs at risk.
Tom Wootton, Mayor of Bedford Borough said:
“I am deeply disappointed that the Council’s budget has been voted down by just 2 votes. This was a lawful, viable budget, shaped through months of engagement and supported by independent professional advice.
At a time of intense financial pressure, this budget focused on protecting essential services; supporting vulnerable adults and children, tackling homelessness, maintaining roads, and safeguarding core day-to-day services residents rely on.
The decision taken last night carries serious risks. Failure to set a budget places the Council in an extremely precarious position and increases the likelihood of Government intervention, with decisions taken out of local hands.
This was never about party politics. It was about responsibility, stability, and doing the right thing for Bedford Borough. I remain committed to working constructively with councillors to find a way forward that protects services and preserves local democracy.”
Conservative Group Leader and Councillor, Graeme Coombes said:
“Last night, Liberal Democrat and Green councillors chose to vote down a lawful, deliverable budget. Not because they had a credible alternative, but because it suited their politics.
You can disagree on politics, but you can’t vote away the Council’s legal duty to set a budget and still pretend there are no consequences.
At a time when demand is rising fast in adult social care, children’s services and homelessness, rejecting the budget risks instability, delays, and a greater chance of decisions being taken out of local hands.
They can play games in the council chamber, but residents will pay the price in uncertainty, delay and increased risk of outside intervention.”
Portfolio Holder for Finance and Councillor, Marc Frost said:
“This budget was built to meet the Council’s legal duties and protect the services residents rely on most, including adult social care, children’s services and homelessness support.
It was shaped through months of work, scrutiny and public engagement, and supported by the Council’s professional finance advice as a viable and lawful budget.
Voting it down does not remove the financial pressures we face, it increases uncertainty and leaves the Council needing an urgent way forward.”
