Green Light for a Single Council for Bedford

All four councils in Bedfordshire have pledged to work together to set up a new unitary council for the Bedford area, after today's decision by the Government to give provisionally a green light to Bedford Borough Council's unitary proposal.

But they have urged the Government to clarify what local government arrangements will be put in place in the parts of the County outside Bedford, currently served by Bedfordshire County Council, Mid Beds and South Bedfordshire District Councils if Bedford Borough Council's proposals are finally approved and implemented.

The Government's decision will see a new council for the borough of Bedford, delivering all the services previously run by Bedford Borough Council and Bedfordshire County Council. We welcome this decision. 

In a joint statement today the four councils said:

"As far as it goes this is good news for the residents of Bedford who, after extensive consultation and debate, are now clear about the way forward for their local council services. 
 

But we will seek clarification from the Government on its ideas for the arrangements for local government outside Bedford Borough. We remain convinced that unitary local government is the best option for local people in terms of delivering better services and value for money.
 

We also want to reassure our customers that it will be business as usual for Bedfordshire's four councils while we work behind the scenes to help get the new Bedford unitary council and new structures for the remainder of the county up and running as smoothly and quickly as possible.
 

We are currently waiting for more information from the Department of Communities and Local Government"

ENDS