By Eniola Amadu
Green councillors in Bedford have expressed disappointment after Conservative Mayor Tom Wootton announced the suspension of the £340,000 Member Ward Fund to save money amid growing financial strain on the council.
The decision, described as an “executive decision” taken without prior consultation, means that while existing commitments will be honoured, no new applications will be accepted for the remainder of the financial year.
A Bedford Borough Council report said the scheme was being halted early “to incur savings in the existing council budget which is under considerable financial pressure.”
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The report added that a proposal to reduce the total fund to £100,000 was rejected, as current commitments already exceeded that amount.
The Member Ward Fund had been used for a wide range of community projects, including CCTV installations, pollinator-friendly planting, tool-sharing initiatives, benches for schools, and the creation of a new burial ground in Clapham village.
Lucy Bywater, Green Party councillor for Castle and Newnham, criticised the mayor’s move, saying: “We’re really disappointed ward funds were immediately withdrawn in an executive decision by the mayor with no warning or consultation with ward councillors. We absolutely know the council finances are in a serious state but this sudden announcement feels like panic mode.”
Her colleague, Councillor Paul Edmonds, echoed the concern, saying: “The sudden total removal [of the fund] suggests that the executive has realised – after way too many months – how serious the financial situation actually is and is cutting things everywhere.”
The fund had enabled councillors to directly support local projects benefiting their wards, from community facilities to environmental improvements.
The report accompanying the decision acknowledged that the suspension could result in “reputational damage due to resident perception of reduced council funding for community projects.”
It also warned that some planned schemes would now not proceed, affecting ongoing local initiatives. The council said the future of the scheme beyond 2026–27 would be reviewed as part of the next budget-setting process.
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The decision notice stated that, due to the “urgent nature” of the move, ward councillors’ views had not been sought. Unless the decision is formally called in for further scrutiny, it will take effect on 16 October.
