Bedford Borough Council Best Value Inspection published

On Thursday 15th October, Bedford Borough Council was formally told that it is “failing to meet its Best Value Duty.” Government inspectors said they “have no confidence that the necessary improvement will be secured without external intervention” and found the council in “a difficult and deteriorating position.” This follows an extensive inspection by independent Government inspectors who were sent in as a result of the financial crisis unfolding at the Council. You will have read about the unfolding crisis in my emails and in the FOCUS newsletters over some time.
For those of us who care passionately about Bedford Borough and all its residents, it has been hugely distressing to see the council descend into this mess, amidst a crisis of leadership and financial catastrophe.
Whilst the report directly references the traditionally “strong financial management” of the previous administration [LGA Corporate Peer Challenge Final Report -PDF], and previous delivery of savings, it highlighted a “deteriorating position” and specifically criticised the current Mayor’s tendency to “avoid difficult decisions.”
You can read the report in full here: Bedford Borough Council: Best Value Inspection report - GOV.UK
Government commissioners to take over council
The consequence is that the Government will almost certainly send in “Commissioners” to take the actions needed for the Council to survive and to make the changes needed for the Council to recover.
We have long sounded alarm bells about much that the inspection report raises. We recognise that this has not always been well received, but it was our duty to you – the Borough residents - to speak up when we saw the catastrophe heading towards us. At other times we have tried to work behind the scenes to quietly get cross-party agreement on better options. Sometimes this has worked, and sadly, sometimes, it has not.
They highlighted other concerns – including some addressed to all Councillors – which need to be tackled head-on.
What the Council now needs is responsible, effective leadership to steer us out of this situation, restore public confidence, fix our broken services, and deliver the ambitious vision we have for Bedford Borough.
Mayor’s response likely to weaken Bedford Borough Council’s response
Sadly, the Mayor’s response has been to attack the Government on social media and refuse to answer press questions.
Instead of putting residents first he has rejected the report and blamed others. This is despite the fact that the Government has had to bail Bedford Borough Council out by £55m (£25m just for this year!). And despite Council Tax already being raised by the maximum amount every year on his watch.
We should all accept the recommendations in the report and take responsibility to move forward. For those of us committed to serving residents and delivering services, it is the best way out of the mess that has been created. 
What needs to be at the heart of the Council’s response is care for residents and our Borough. 
I am happy to commit now that if I and other Liberal Democrats are elected next May we are committed to: 
    • Cleaning up the mess and chaos at Borough Hall.
    • Working cross-party to deliver the changes needed.
    • Protecting basic services against the odds and building a brighter future for Bedford Borough’s residents.