Bedford mayor cuts council portfolio holders from 10 to 8 in reshuffle following resignations

It comes after three cabinet members stepped down – with two of them making critical parting shots as they resigned.

But mayor Tom Wootton claims the reshuffle will strengthen accountability and save money.

Conservative councillor Robert Rigby resigned from his role as portfolio holder for valuing families: adult services on May 20, citing the mayor’s leadership for his decision.

The ward councillor for Bromham said at the time: “I felt that I could no longer stay in his cabinet any longer” and added that he had handed the mayor a “detailed letter” outlining his concerns.

The following day, councillor Phillippa Martin-Moran-Bryant, who was portfolio holder for housing and regulatory services, stepped down, saying she needed to focus on personal commitments after three years in the role.

A week later councillor Sarah Gallagher quit her role as portfolio holder for customer experience, including leisure and culture, saying she could no longer continue in a cabinet whose behaviour she couldn't tolerate.

The Shortstown councillor’s resignation letter criticised the operation of informal cabinet meetings, claiming decisions were sometimes made and later changed “without the knowledge of all cabinet members”.

She also criticised the mayor.

A statement from the mayor’s office said the cabinet changes “reduced costs to the council at a time when the organisation is required to deliver significant savings under the Improvement Plan”.

It added: “As part of the council’s commitment to ensure financial stability and achieve continuous improvement, detailed reviews are underway in areas experiencing financial and operational pressures. Adult services, in particular, has been highlighted as requiring renewed focus following an external assessment and Newton's appointment to lead a full‑service transformation. In response, the Mayor has refreshed portfolio responsibilities to provide the drive and oversight needed at this critical stage.

“External feedback from the Improvement Board has made clear that deeper work is required in children’s services, and this will continue to require the dedicated support and direction necessary to deliver better outcomes for children and families.”

The updated cabinet is as follows:

Mayor Tom Wootton – Service Improvement, Inward Investment & Communities

Deputy Mayor, Cllr Jim Weir – Corporate Services & External Relations

Cllr Marc Frost – Financial Services & Financial Sustainability

Cllr John Wheeler – Customer Experience (including Leisure, Recreation & Culture)

Cllr Andrea Spice – Economic Prosperity, Planning, Housing & Regulatory Services

Cllr Nicky Gribble – Environment

Cllr Martin Towler – Valuing Families: Adult Services, Health & Wellbeing

Cllr Jane Walker – Valuing Families: Children’s Services

The mayor said the revised structure “reflects the financial reality facing the Council and the need for a more efficient, more focused Cabinet team capable of driving improvement at pace”

The new portfolio arrangements take effect immediately.

The mayor expressed his thanks to all cabinet members for their continued commitment to delivering improvements for residents and reaffirmed the council’s determination to drive positive change across all services.

> This article was edited on June 3 to clarify that the statement was issued by the mayor’s office and not the Conservative group.