Proposed £100k savings linked to councillor allowances vanished from approved Bedford budget
A proposed £100,000 saving linked to councillors’ allowances was included in Bedford Borough Council’s rejected 2026/27 budget – but removed from the version later approved.
The cash-strapped council’s original budget, debated on February 4, included plans to “rationalise and/or consider freezing” members’ allowances as part of savings proposals.
That budget was rejected by councillors; 16 for, 18 against, and 11 abstentions.
When a revised budget returned to an extraordinary meeting on February 18, the saving had been removed.
The final report states the budget was “reviewed… in the light of the Full Council meeting… and discussions across all political parties” before being brought back for approval.
After claims made on social media by a councillor that some changes to the budget had been negotiated by their group, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) questioned who was responsible for the removal of the saving on councillors’ allowances.
But no group has claimed responsibility for the change.
Finance portfolio holder councillor Marc Frost (Conservative) told the LDRS: “At a time of significant financial pressure, the council has a clear duty to set a lawful, balanced budget.
“The original budget included a range of savings proposals, including a £100,000 reduction in councillors’ allowances. That budget was not approved by Full Council.
“Further engagement took place across the chamber to understand the areas of concern and ensure a viable budget could be brought forward.
“A revised budget was then developed, reflecting that feedback, and was subsequently approved by Full Council, with sufficient members choosing not to oppose it.
“As part of those changes, a number of savings and spending proposals were amended, including the removal of the proposed saving relating to councillors’ allowances.
“The priority throughout has been straightforward, to secure a lawful budget and protect essential services for residents.”
The Liberal Democrats said “no” when asked if they had pushed for the removal of the saving, while the Labour Group said the issue was not discussed at its meetings.
The Green Group and all three Independent councillors were contacted by the LDRS, but they did not respond.
Councillors Coombes, Din, Frost, Gallagher, Gambold, Gribble, Martin-Moran-Bryant, Rigby, Simmons, Sira, Spice, Towler, Walker, Weir, Wheeler and the mayor voted for the budget.
Councillors Abbott, Abood, Caswell, Crofts, Headley, Hendrickx, McHugh, Rider, M Royden, Sawyer and Vann voted against.
Councillors Akhtar, Atiq, Bywater, Edmonds, Foley, Layne, Masud, McMurdo, Meader, Nawaz, Oliver, Rahman, Sultan, Thapar, Valentine and White abstained.
The votes for the original budget were:
Councillors Coombes, Din, Frost, Gallagher, Gambold, Gribble, Martin-Moran-Bryant, Rigby, Simmons, Sira, Spice, Towler, Walker, Weir, Wheeler and the mayor voted for.
Councillors Abbott, Abood, Bywater, Caswell, Coombs, Crofts, Edmonds, Foley, Headley, Hendrickx, McHugh, McMurdo, Rider, C Royden, M Royden, Sawyer, Vann and White voted against.
Councillors Akhtar, Atiq, Layne, Masud, Meader, Nawaz, Oliver, Rahman, Sultan, Thapar and Valentine abstained.
Councillors receive a basic allowance for their role, with additional payments available for those holding positions of responsibility.