Commissioners proposed for Bedford after inspectors find leadership, governance and finance failings
Inspectors say the authority cannot fix its problems without outside help
Government-appointed commissioners could be given powers over finances and senior appointments at Bedford's local authority, after inspectors concluded it is failing in its legal duty to provide best value.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government published the findings of a Best Value Inspection of Bedford Borough Council on 15th October 2026.
The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government is considering using her powers under the Local Government Act 1999 to appoint a team of commissioners.
The council has been invited to make representations before any decision is taken.
Representations must be sent by 28th October 2026.
What commissioners would do
The Ministry said the commissioners would cover corporate and political leadership, governance, finance and transformation.
Some would have powers to exercise specified functions of the council.
A Political Commissioner would also be appointed. They would not have powers to exercise council functions, but the council would be directed to work with them.
The proposed powers include the council's financial management and oversight of financial decisions, including the power to propose changes to budgets where there is a clear risk to the council's ability to deliver best value.
Commissioners would also be able to exercise functions on governance and scrutiny, the council's transformation programme, and the appointment and dismissal of senior and statutory officers.
The proposed directions would last three years.
The council would also be directed to develop an Improvement and Recovery Plan to the satisfaction of the commissioners, and to report to them on progress every six months.
The Ministry said the intention is for the council to lead and deliver its own improvement wherever possible, with commissioners providing oversight, challenge and support.
If commissioners are dissatisfied with progress, they would report to the Secretary of State, who would consider further measures.
If the council improves faster than expected, the Secretary of State would consider de-escalation.
What inspectors found
The inspection team was appointed in February 2026 and reported to the Secretary of State in June 2026.
It carried out more than 70 interviews.
Lead inspector Paul Najsarek and assistant inspectors Margaret Lee and Tasnim Shawkat said in the report: "We found Bedford Borough Council in a difficult and deteriorating position overall, notwithstanding some small improvements seen while we were on site."
They concluded the council is failing to meet its Best Value Duty across all themes, but particularly leadership, governance, culture and use of resources.
The inspectors said in the report: "We have no confidence that the Council will be able to address this without external intervention."
The report describes a combative political culture, low trust between councillors and between councillors and officers, and a blame culture.
The inspectors said in the report: "Inspectors heard evidence from a range of people that there were instances of bullying behaviour and misogyny from some members, including within the cabinet."
They said people had not felt able to report such behaviour, so it had not been systematically investigated.
The report says the Mayor, who leads a Conservative administration, has tended to avoid difficult decisions and conflict.
The report says the Mayor does not agree with this description of his leadership and feels some difficult decisions have been taken.
The inspectors also found evidence that the Mayor's Assistant had gone beyond the role allowed by regulations.
The report says the Mayor's Assistant strongly denies interfering in staffing matters and denies undermining the council's finance officer.
Financial position
The report says the council needed exceptional financial support from government to set a balanced budget for both 2025/26 and 2026/27.
It says the council received £20 million for 2025/26 and up to £25 million for 2026/27.
The inspectors said the council would have had to issue a Section 114 notice, which is effectively a declaration that a council cannot balance its budget, without that support.
The council's budget plan shows forecast shortfalls of £27.6 million in 2027/28, £25.7 million in 2028/29 and £32.4 million in 2029/30.
The 2026/27 budget was voted down on 4th February 2026 and passed on 18th February.
The report says plans to charge for garden waste collection and to change council tax support were not carried through, without replacement savings being identified.
Services and positives
Ofsted rated children's services as requires improvement in 2025, down from good in 2021.
The Care Quality Commission also rated adult social care as requires improvement in March 2026.
The report says an Ofsted inspection of special educational needs and disabilities support in the area was positive.
The inspectors also noted pride and commitment among councillors, staff and partners.
They said the council has played a positive role in attracting the Universal theme park and resort to the borough.
Mayor's response
Mayor Tom Wootton issued a statement on 15th October 2026.
He said: "I understand that the findings will concern residents, and I take them extremely seriously."
He said: "When I became Mayor in May 2023, the Council was already facing significant financial challenges."
He said: "Since then, we have commissioned independent scrutiny, strengthened spending controls and developed a comprehensive Improvement Plan to address these challenges."
He said: "There is still much more to do, and I recognise that."
He said: "I am determined to see this work through and build a Council that residents can have confidence in, and most importantly be proud of."
What happens next
The Secretary of State will consider any representations from the council before deciding whether to make directions and, if so, what they should be.
The Ministry said the Secretary of State reserves the right to make further or revised directions after any intervention package is put in place.