Unitary Bid
One Council For Bedford
Bedford Unitary Set For 2009
New Unitary authorities for Bedford and a merged mid and south Beds will be created in 2009 according to a government statement issued today.
This latest statement creates a new central Bedfordshire unitary authority to sit alongside Bedford Borough allowing single tier local government for the whole county. Bedford Borough was given a “minded to” decision in support of its unitary proposals back in July while a solution for the rest of the existing county area was decided upon.
The new authority for Bedford Borough will come into effect in April 2009. Until that point an implementation committee made up of Borough and County Councillors will oversee the smooth transfer of services to the new authority.
The new authority will bring significant savings, greater efficiency and a reduction in the confusion over which authority is responsible for each service. A unitary borough will allow a greater focus on the needs and aspirations of residents in Bedford and the surrounding villages building on the borough council’s excellent track record on performance and high value for money ratings issued by the Audit Commission.
Speaking after the government statement, Mayor of Bedford Frank Branston said:
“This decision sees the final piece of the jigsaw for local government in Bedfordshire fall into place. We will now be able to focus on delivering the high levels of service that borough residents expect when the new authority is created in 2009.
It’s clear the government have backed our proposals all along despite comments made by the County Council. I hope staff and councillors across Bedfordshire will respect this decision and work with us in the interests of the people we represent.”
Cllr Nicky Attenborough, Unitary portfolio holder added:
“This decision is excellent news. We can now move forward with plans that will put an end to two tier government in Bedfordshire, which was supported by all councils. It’s high time we drew a line in the sand over unitary differences and welcome in a new era of increased savings, greater efficiency and a renewed focus on the needs of local residents.”
Copies of the bid can be found in the documents below.
Bedford Borough Council's Overarching Response to DCLG Questions:
 | Supplementary Unitary Document June 2007 ( 5670 Kb ) - DOWNLOAD |
| Bedford Borough Councils Unitary Bid (3.7 MB) - DOWNLOAD |
| Preliminary Unitary Bid (694 Kb ) - DOWNLOAD |
| Appendix A - Population, Size and Performance ( 893 Kb ) - DOWNLOAD |
| Appendix B - Impact and Risk Assessment ( 61 Kb ) - DOWNLOAD |
| Appendix C - Indicative Staffing Structure ( 41 Kb ) - DOWNLOAD |
| Appendix D - Report of IPF Limited ( 590 Kb ) - DOWNLOAD |
| Appendix E - DCLG Financial Spreadsheet (121 Kb ) - DOWNLOAD |
| Appendix F - Analysis of Transitional Costs ( 18 Kb ) - DOWNLOAD |
| Appendix G - Proposed Capital Programme ( 70 Kb ) - DOWNLOAD |
| Central Bedfordshire's Joint Submission ( 1.4 MB) - DOWNLOAD |
| Central Bedfordshire's Supporting documents ( 2.3 MB) - DOWNLOAD |
| Response to Department For Communities and Local Government DCLG Questions February 2007 ( 39 Kb ) - DOWNLOAD |
| Department For Communities and Local Government DCLG additional supporting information ( 22 Kb ) - DOWNLOAD |
| Meeting to Discuss Councils Unitary Bid with GoEast ( 22 Kb ) - DOWNLOAD |