Tory-Run Central Beds told to pay up after Debts of £8 million are revealed

Bedford Borough Liberal Democrats are demanding that Conservative Central Bedfordshire Council pays its debts to the people of Bedford Borough after it was revealed that it owes Bedford Borough Council over £8 million. It was further revealed that over £4 million of the debt is now shockingly over three months overdue.

Cllr Michael Headley, Lib Dem Portfolio Holder for Finance at Bedford Borough said, "I am deeply concerned that it sets a bad example when a Council doesn't pay its bills on time. Central Beds is already having problems with its finances and now the Conservatives there think it's alright to short change Borough residents to the tune of £8 million."

Since the abolition of the County Council and the creation of the new Unitary Authorities there are a range of debts owed by Central Bedfordshire Authority to Bedford Borough totalling over £8 million. This includes nearly £1 million due from the old County Council and over £4 million that is overdue by three months or more.

Cllr Headley continued, "After years of suffering at the hands of the high taxing Conservative County Council, local residents are still being punished by the Tories of Central Bedfordshire. We cannot let this outrageous situation go unchallenged. Local residents should not be penalised because Bedfordshire Conservatives won't pay their bills. "

The debts owed to Bedford Borough Council by Central Bedfordshire are included in budget update report to a meeting of the Borough Council's Executive on Wednesday 17th March.