Bedford Borough Council to have Best Value Inspection

Three Government inspectors are to carry out a best value inspection at Bedford Borough Council. They will be with the Council for three months.

They will make an independent assessment of the Council’s arrangements to secure continuous improvement, focusing on a combination of economy, efficiency, and effectiveness.

Reacting to the news of the Best Value Inspection, Cllr Henry Vann said, “Sadly, this is not a surprise and reflects the state that the Council is now in. We have seen a £55 million bailout requested from government, a downgrading in the recent inspection of Children’s Services and a lack of progress in making improvements since the Government started engaging with the council in July last year.”

“Inevitably, it will be residents who pay the price for these failings, but we hope that this intervention from the Government will mark the start of the changes that are needed to get the Council back on its feet.”