People to have their say on sweeping council cuts

The proposed cuts include reducing funding to the Bedford Community Voluntary Service (CVS) by £40,000

People will have their say after councillors agreed to put forward a raft of swingeing cuts to public services.

The measures proposed at Bedford Borough Council include scrapping free parking in two town centre car parks and reducing expenditure on children's services.

However, the mayor hinted that a proposal to reduce funding to the Bedford voluntary service might be dropped.

The Conservative portfolio holder for corporate services, Marc Frost, said the proposals "represented a serious and pragmatic financial management approach" which would be "the first steps in returning the council to financial stability."

The executive at the council took their seats for Wednesday's meeting knowing that, even if they approved the full programme of cuts, it would still not plug the entire shortfall in this year's budget.

The savings from the programme would total £11.5m but this year's shortfall is £13.6m.

There were hints that some of the proposals may not survive public consultation and further political scrutiny.

Green councillor Lucy Bywater (pictured with fellow councillor Paul Edmond) said CVS was a "lynchpin of the voluntary sector"

Green councillor Lucy Bywater asked about the proposed £40,000 cut in funding for Bedford Community Voluntary Service (CVS), which she described as a "lynchpin in the voluntary sector" in the town.

Conservative Mayor Tom Wootton said she was "pushing at an open door" and, while it would be "remiss of the council not to look under every stone" to find savings, the CVS grant was being reconsidered.

Mayor Tom Wootton hinted that some cuts may be dropped after all

The executive agreed the list of cuts could now go to public consultation.

Given the "urgency" of the situation and the need for further savings, the chief executive was instructed to prepare a report on possible savings on debt recovery, property management, staffing and contracts for discussion on 19 November.

The final package of cuts will form part of the budget setting process for 2026-27.