Bedford Borough Council could be placed under government appointed commissioners for the next three years, after a statutory inspection found the authority is failing to meet its legal duty to deliver Best Value for residents. Local people have until 28 October to have their say.

By Leigh Coombs, Bedford Borough Councillor for Shortstown ward

The Best Value Inspection report was published today (Wednesday 15 October) by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, alongside a written statement to Parliament by Jim McMahon, Minister for Local Government, Devolution and Regional Growth.

The Minister says he is satisfied that the council is failing to comply with its Best Value Duty in relation to continuous improvement, governance, leadership, culture and use of resources, and that he is minded to issue statutory Directions and appoint commissioners. The proposed intervention would be in place for three years.

What the inspectors found

The inspection team, led by Paul Najsarek with assistant inspectors Margaret Lee OBE and Tasnim Shawkat, was appointed in February and reported its findings to the Government in June. The report identifies strengths, including partnership working, community relationships and the council's constructive role in attracting and supporting Universal, together with the pride and commitment shown by officers, members and partners in serving residents.

However, it documents serious concerns across five areas:

  • Continuous improvement. Despite extensive external support and challenge since 2023, the council has made limited progress on the scale of change required. The inspectors say they have no confidence the necessary improvement will be secured without external intervention.
  • Leadership. Challenges are identified in all parts of the organisation, both politically and managerially, with weak leadership and cross party working leaving the council unable to confront its growing financial problems.
  • Governance. Arrangements are found to lack the clarity, grip and discipline needed to support timely and effective decision making.
  • Culture. The report describes a negative culture of low trust, blame, defensiveness and silo working, with poor member and officer relationships, low staff morale, and reports of bullying and misogynistic behaviour that had not been systematically addressed.
  • Use of resources. The council's financial position is described as unsustainable, with persistent overspends, limited reserves and growing borrowing pressures. The council needed exceptional financial support from the Government to set balanced budgets for 2025/26 and 2026/27.

What the Government proposes

Under the proposed Directions, commissioners with expertise in political and corporate leadership, transformation, governance and finance would be appointed, some with powers to exercise specified functions of the council. The council would be directed to prepare a comprehensive Improvement and Recovery Plan to the commissioners' satisfaction, with progress reported to the Secretary of State every six months.

The Minister says his clear expectation is that the council should continue to lead and deliver its own improvement wherever possible, with commissioners providing oversight, challenge and support. If there is sufficient evidence of progress, powers would be handed back to the council before the three years are up. The intervention is also intended to strengthen the council's capacity to work with partners on major strategic projects, including Universal, to maximise the benefits they bring to the borough.

The council's response

The council says it will now carefully consider the report's recommendations, recognises the need to accelerate its transformation and improvement journey, and will work constructively with government and the commissioners appointed through the formal process.

Chief Executive Laura Church said: "We acknowledge the significance of the report and the need to increase the pace and scale of change. Our staff have continued to deliver vital services during a demanding period, and their expertise and commitment will be central to the improvements ahead. We will support colleagues through the changes required and keep staff, members, residents and partners informed as the work progresses.

"The Council has engaged fully and constructively throughout the inspection process. We will continue that approach as we respond to the proposed Directions, work with commissioners when appointed and maintain a clear focus on delivering better outcomes for Bedford Borough's residents."

Have your say

It is not only the council that can respond. The Minister has invited representations from any interested parties, including residents, on the inspection report and the proposed intervention package by Tuesday 28 October 2026. The full report and the proposed Directions are being published on gov.uk, and I would encourage anyone with a view to read them and respond before the deadline. The council itself will make its representations to the Secretary of State within the next 10 working days.

What this means for our ward

I will not pretend this is anything other than a serious moment for our council. Residents of Shortstown, Cardington, Cople and Cotton End rightly expect their council to be well led and well run, and this report makes clear that improvement has not come quickly enough.

It is important to say that day to day services continue as normal. Bins will be collected, schools are open, and council services keep running while this process takes its course. Commissioners, if appointed, would oversee and challenge the council's improvement, not switch off its services.

As your Borough Councillor, I will study the full report carefully, work constructively with whatever final Directions the Secretary of State makes, and keep you informed at every step. Our community deserves nothing less.

Leigh Coombs is a Bedford Borough Councillor representing Shortstown, Cardington, Cople and Cotton End.