18th May 2012
Moving Towards an Excellent Unitary Authority
23rd Sep 2008
We’re now less than 200 days from the re-creation of local government in Bedfordshire. Working with Mid Beds, South Bedfordshire and Bedfordshire County Council, businesses across Bedfordshire are set to benefit from a new form of local authority. From April 2009 these four councils will be replaced by two unitary councils providing all your main local government services.
With this in mind we look beyond the huge amounts of work taking place to achieve this change to see what a borough wide unitary authority means for you, how services we are currently working on will bring even further benefits. You can also find out about some of the services currently provided by Bedford Borough Council, see our plans for the future and the decisions that have been taken to help get us there. So with April 1st firmly set in everybody’s mind as the start of the new unitary we ask what does it all mean and how will it affect you.
What will the change to a unitary authority mean for me?
From 1st April you will have one council providing your services, not two. The new unitary Bedford Borough Council will take the best of both authorities and bring them together to provide an exciting new form of local government that is focused on the needs for our community. The borders of the new authority will remain the same, preserving the boundaries of Bedford Borough. This will mean business in the borough area will have just one council to deal with, cutting confusion over who provides which service and allowing a clearer focus on the business needs of the borough. As a unitary authority Bedford Borough Council will provide a single point of contact for council services. All decisions will now be taken by councillors representing just the borough area. Maintaining existing highly rated Value for Money services will be a key priority for the new authority.
What will happen to the rest of the County?
Luton is already a unitary authority and will be unaffected by the change. All services currently provided by Mid Beds, South Bedfordshire and Bedfordshire County Council, outside of Bedford Borough, will be provided by a new Central Bedfordshire Council.
How will this be achieved?
Following final government approval for our unitary plans in March 2008 we have been working hard to bring about these changes in time for the start of the unitary Bedford Borough Council. We have set up working groups to ensure a smooth transfer of services to Bedford Borough Council and are working with other authorities in Bedfordshire to assist the change. Within Bedford Borough the Implementation Executive, made up of the Mayor and councillors from Bedford Borough Council and Bedfordshire County Council is taking the decisions that will shape the new authority. The Implementation Executive meets on a regular basis to decide key issues such as the structure of the new authority, its budget and how it will operate services such as Education, Social Care, and Recycling. Members of the Implementation Executive represent areas across Bedford Borough and span the political parties.
Who will make the decisions for the Unitary Authority?
Currently the Implementation Executive is making the decisions that will shape the Unitary Authority. Once the new authority is established, in April next year, elections will take place to elect new councillors. This will take place in May or June 2009 when 37 councillors will be elected. There are presently 54 councillors representing the Bedford Borough Council. The current Mayor will remain in post until 2011.
Will this move create more value for money for local residents and businesses?
Across Bedfordshire we are reducing four councils down to two. This will enable us to provide high quality Value for Money services that are focused on the needs of Bedford Borough. Savings will be made which can be used to reduce council tax levels or invested in more and better front line services.
Where will the Council be based?
Our long term plan is for the main headquarters of the unitary Bedford Borough Council to be what is currently County Hall, although it maybe that a phased move to the building takes place after April 2009.
Mayor of Bedford Frank Branston said: “As a borough-wide unitary authority, we will be able to focus council decisions and spending more sharply on the needs and aspirations of the people of Bedford. From April 2009, the council will be at the forefront of tackling the issues that face the borough. Together with our partners in the public, private and voluntary sectors, we will be working to make Bedford a thriving, sustainable and vibrant community; a borough of opportunity where people can live, work and achieve their full potential.”
