Social Value Ideas for Bedford Borough Council

Lack of Executive Accountability and Governance Failures

Executive members failing to attend scrutiny committee despite constitutional duty. All members of executive absent from crucial budget scrutiny meeting. Executive meeting in June cancelled, delaying …

“I mean, I'm disappointed that the acting finance portfolio holder isn't here to answer questions on the budget position and on the stability plan... g…”

Improvement Plan Board Establishment

The Executive has approved the establishment of an Improvement Plan Board comprising Executive Members to oversee the delivery of the Improvement Plan. The Board will monitor progress, oversee impleme…

“Approve the establishment of an improvement plan board of the Executive Members to oversee the delivery of the Improvement Plan.”

Improvement Plan Going to Full Council - Next Week

The Improvement Plan has been approved by the Executive and will go to the next week's full council meeting (14 January 2026) for recommendation and seeking support for its delivery. This is a key gov…

“Confirm the commitment to seeking support from full council on the delivery of the improvement plan. I assume yes, it will go to full council I've had…”

Monitoring Officer to Write to Executive on Attendance Duty

Committee chair requested monitoring officer write to all executive members reminding them of their constitutional duty to attend scrutiny committees when invited. All members of executive were absent…

“I was going to suggest, and hopefully the committee will back me up on this, that we ask the monitoring officers to write to all members of the execut…”

Bromham Mill Heritage Site Redevelopment Project

Major heritage site redevelopment comprising multiple components: change of use of front storage barn to café with raised seating area; conversion of millhouse to wellness hub (ground floor) and offic…

“Planning permission is sought for a change of use of the front storage barn to a CAF, including an erection of a raised seating area, change of use an…”

Gospel Hall Change of Use to Vehicle Storage

Application for change of use of former gospel hall and car park at 38 Barker's Lane to Class B8 vehicle storage use. Site was deferred from previous meeting for site inspection. Conditional approval …

“application number 254-01575-4-FUL, found on pages 88 to 102 of your report pack. This was deferred from the last meeting for site inspection as the m…”

Gospel Hall Conditions - Officer Delegation

Planning Committee delegated to officers the drafting and agreement of conditions for the Gospel Hall (38 Barker's Lane) vehicle storage change of use application which was approved with 6 votes in fa…

“I will propose that we add into the conditions the Two items, one on the no unloading of transporters on the road, they have to be fully on the site a…”

Disclaimed audit opinion for 2023/2024 accounts due to sector-wide audit challenges

Bedford Borough Council received a disclaimed opinion from KPMG for the 2023/2024 accounts, meaning the auditors cannot confirm whether the accounts are correct. This is a sector-wide issue affecting …

“a disclaimed opinion is basically the auditor saying, I have no idea and I cannot say if these accounts are correct or not... The prior opinion from E…”

KPMG External Audit - Pension Fund 2024-2025

KPMG presenting audit plan for FY24-25 Bedfordshire Pension Fund audit. Second year of appointment under PSSA public sector audit appointments. Audit materiality set at £38 million (1% of total pensio…

“we are being appointed by under the public sector audit appointments by PSSA. So this is our second year of appointment in terms of doing the audit fo…”