Central Bedfordshire Council tax to rise almost 5%

A four-vote margin sealed approval of “a deeply flawed and high risk” Central Bedfordshire Council revenue budget and medium-term financial plan for 2026/27.

The local authority’s budget is balanced based on including £27.2m of efficiencies amid £67.4m of pressures, said a report to a reconvened full council meeting.

Council tax to rise almost 5%

Two per cent of the 4.99 per cent council tax increase is the adult social care precept, with 2.99 per cent general fund.

This represents a Band D council tax of £1,931.54, a rise of £91.80.

There were 21 votes to approve the budget, 17 against and 19 abstentions, with 20 for, 12 against and 25 abstaining in a second vote to legally authorise council tax collection.

A report said, “The medium-term financial planning and budget setting falls at a time of continued uncertainty and risk. CBC continues to experience significant extra demand pressures, mainly within adult social care and children’s services.

“The council lacks the ability to increase revenue generation to mitigate these costs. CBC’s draft net budget for 2026/27 is £328.2m.”

Council leader and Independent Potton councillor Adam Zerny met with other political group leaders during the past seven days.

This led to “a reallocation of £500,000 to ensure that if people find themselves in financial hardship, there’s a support fund available”, he explained.

“Rules will remain in place to ensure public money is used effectively. There’ll be a monthly meeting with all group leaders to discuss the ongoing finances for the next year and those following.”

Political parties views on the budget

Conservative Clifton, Henlow and Langford councillor Richard Wenham acknowledged: “There have been some minor improvements compared to last week.

“But this remains tinkering at the edges of what remains a deeply flawed and very high risk budget and medium-term financial plan. Millions or tens of millions of pounds remain undefined or just vaguely labelled hopes.

“This will manifest itself in further depletion of our already critically low reserves over the coming year and a continuation of our slide towards exceptional financial support, or bankruptcy and a section 114 notice. For the sake of residents, we hope we avoid this increasingly likely outcome.”

Liberal Democrat Leighton Linslade South councillor Shaun Roberts warned: “Residents need to know this council isn’t going to end up in a Bedford-style situation in 12 months time.

“We remain concerned about a budget with millions of pounds of unidentified savings. We’ve had three years in a row of crisis budgets. We don’t want to see a fourth.”

The Central Bedfordshire Community Network Biggleswade West councillor Hayley Whitaker urged the administration “to put the residents we serve at the heart of all of their decision-making”, adding: “I’m grateful for the changes made to the hardship fund.”

Labour Dunstable North councillor Matt Brennan said: “I’m happy there’ll be further help for those hardest hit by the local council tax support scheme changes.

“But having that safety net doesn’t excuse you from pushing people off the cliff. I hope the group leaders will take on board the guidance from the Local Government Association for avoiding section 114.”

Reform UK Houghton Regis East councillor Pat Hamill suggested: “There are minor changes, but very important ones. We all had concerns for people who needed that safety net.”