Lib Dems call for Bedford mayor to resign - but Conservatives dismiss petition as 'petty point scoring'

They argue that the authority’s current situation – with government inspectors called in to review the council as it tackles a financial crisis – requires a change in leadership.

The petition, promoted by the Bedford Liberal Democrats under the headline “Enough is Enough,” urges residents to add their names to a call for the mayor to step down.

But Bedford Borough Conservative Group leader, councillor Graeme Coombes, dismissed the move as “petty political point scoring,” accusing the Liberal Democrats of failing to support efforts to address serious challenges facing the council.

“It is one of many reasons that the government have had to step in, because the opposition are failing to support us as we try to resolve the serious issues,” he said.

The petition comes as Bedford Borough Council prepares for a statutory Best Value inspection ordered by the government, which will examine whether the authority is meeting its legal duty to deliver continuous improvement, economy, efficiency and effectiveness.

The council is also awaiting a government decision on Exceptional Financial Support (EFS), a form of assistance sought by councils facing severe financial pressures.

The Liberal Democrats argue the borough is facing a “desperate situation” and say residents and businesses “can’t afford for it to continue a day longer than it has to.”

However, the petition has no formal power to remove the mayor from office.

Bedford operates a directly elected mayor system, meaning the mayor is chosen by voters across the borough and cannot be forced out by councillors through a petition or a vote of no confidence.

Under the legal framework for elected mayors, if a mayor resigns mid-term this would normally trigger a borough-wide by-election.

Under the Local Authorities (Elected Mayors) (Elections, Terms of Office and Casual Vacancies) (England) Regulations 2012, a vacancy occurring within six months of the next scheduled mayoral election is instead filled at that election.

Such contests can be costly because they must be run across the whole authority, rather than in a single ward.

The costs of administering local by-elections are normally met by the local authority.

By-election costs have previously arisen in Bedford. When mayor Wootton resigned as Wyboston ward councillor after being elected mayor, council figures at the time estimated the resulting by-election cost at more that £12,000.

Councillor Coombes said the mayor and cabinet continued to welcome external scrutiny.

“I know the mayor and the cabinet continue to welcome not only the scrutiny, but the support of the inspectors,” he said.

“Hopefully, it will bring about a new fresh approach from the opposition, and more grown up politics in Bedford.”

Residents will next have the opportunity to decide whether to renew or end the mayor’s mandate at the next mayoral election, due in May 2027.

The Labour and Green groups have been approached for a comment.