Mayor Fails to Control Budget

Lib Dems on Bedford Borough Council are concerned that the mayor has failed to get to grips with the council budget for next year.

Despite being denied the opportunity to debate sections of the budget by the Mayors absence from Wednesday nights meeting, Liberal Democrats on the council are calling for the Mayor to explain current proposals for new charges which will be levied against services such as the bulky waste collection and dealing with blocked drains. The meeting did tackle the Mayors proposal for a minimum council tax rise of nearly double the rate of inflation.

Lib Dems on the council have called for more debate on these decisions fearing the planned budget lacks a thorough approach to making the best use of existing funds.

Speaking on the issue Lib Dem group leader Cllr Michael Headley said:

"Quite simply the Mayor has failed to get to grips with the Council's budget. He's tried to cut help to voluntary groups, he's introduced new charges for services that were free and introduced a shoppers parking tax. He now plans to even brake his promise to keep any council tax rise below the rate of inflation. All this comes on the back of his refusal to release the £37 million reserves the council is sitting on. Council Tax payers in the borough would be right to ask why he wants even more money from them. Charges, cuts and tax hikes do not make a better Bedford."