Borough Budget Protects Frontline Services and Keeps Council Tax Bills Down

Bedford Borough Council's approved budget has brought down the Council Tax increase for residents from a forecast 11.5% before Mayor Dave Hodgson's election in October to a below-inflation 2.3% after £9 million of savings were identified. The budget includes £5.9 million for road and pavement maintenance, as the Liberal Democrats continue the fightback against the former Tory County Council's massive backlog of repairs, and extra funding for a range of green initiatives including recycling in both the urban and rural areas and the Mayor's Climate Change Fund.

Commenting, Mayor of Bedford Borough Dave Hodgson said: "Since I was elected in October with the forecast council tax increase standing at 11.5 per cent, my clear priority has been to work with Finance Portfolio Holder Michael Headley and the rest of my Cabinet to produce a budget which ensures full value for every penny of local taxpayers' money while protecting front line services. I can reassure residents that no stone has been left unturned in our drive to identify efficiency savings in order that residents' priorities are protected.'

"The council is committed to creating a clean and green borough and this budget supports a number of environmental initiatives amongst a package of new measures. At the same time the proposed Council tax has been slashed from that predicted 11.5% figure down to just over two per cent, thanks to a relentless drive to identify savings and extract full value for local residents from their council tax."

Cllr Michael Headley, Finance Portfolio Holder added: " This budget represents weeks and months spent challenging all parts of the Council to make sure there is a real need for every item of expenditure. Against an extremely tough background we identified £9 million of savings whilst safeguarding the council's front line services.'

"We will not stop here however. We are committed to keeping down council tax and ensuring the council operates as efficiently as possible and I will be working with the Mayor and colleagues across the council to achieve this."

The budget was agreed at a meeting of Bedford Borough Council last week