Council continues to protect services despite government cuts

Mayor Dave Hodgson has reassured residents that vital frontline services will continue to be protected despite years of government grant cuts and with the country facing a cost of living crisis. Unlike many other councils who have had to stop some of their services, Mayor Dave has ensured that bins have been regularly collected, no libraries have closed and no Children's Centres shut down.

Mayor Dave said "It is important to reassure residents facing this cost of living crisis, that they can count on important council services to continue to operate. We are also impacted by rising costs and it is important we make savings wherever we can. However, I want to make it clear that residents will continue to benefit from the services the council provides."

The main government grant that the Council receives has been slashed by 80% since 2015, falling from £30 million in 2015 to £6 million this year. This reflects what has been happening nationally and many councils have struggled to cope. They have been forced to either substantially raise Council Tax or cut services.

In the last few years local authorities in Northamptonshire, Croydon and now Slough have effectively been made bankrupt. Other councils have instead cut services to try to save money. Nationally, 33% of library sites have closed between 2010 and 2020 and 52% of upper-tier local authorities have cut the number of children's centres in the same period.

However, through strong financial management, Bedford Borough Council has been able to protect services without having to substantially raise Council Tax or increase borrowing.

Since Mayor Dave was elected in 2009 the Council has:

• Had the fourth lowest percentage rise in Council Tax of all unitary authorities
• Significantly reduced external debts from £90.7 million (which was inherited from the County Council) to £65.7 million
• Not closed any libraries or Children's Centres.

Mayor Dave continued "I'm very pleased we have been able to continue to provide our residents with the services and support they need. We must continue to work hard to ensure that we meet the new challenges ahead."