In a landmark decision, Bedford Borough Conservative and Labour Councillors took a significant step toward fairness and equality by waiving the unfair open space management charges levied on residents in Kempston West and Great Denham.
For years, these residents have unfairly faced double taxation, being charged an additional £120 by the Council that no other parts of the Borough are required to pay. This has resulted in these residents forking out an eye watering £2.2m for this unjust tax.
Despite the clear unfairness, the Liberal Democrat group has repeatedly challenged this decision publicly and peevishly fighting to retain an unfair charge that disproportionately penalises specific residents.
They first raised an objection at Full Council to remove this charge which was lost, called it in to the Environment Scrutiny Committee, the call in was lost. They have now called the decision in for a third time, attempting to once again argue in favour double taxing residents.
At the meeting Conservative Councillors and Mayor, Tom Wootton strongly rejected their attempts to mischaracterise/misrepresent the CIPFA report and the Council’s open space management tax.
This decision to end this tax is a correction of a systemic unfairness. It ensures that Kempston West and Great Denham are treated equitably, bringing their financial contributions in line with the rest of the borough.
In a major win for fairness and equity for all its residents, at the meeting both Labour and Conservative Councillors defeated the Liberal Democrat and Green groups fight to maintain inequality by choosing to uphold the current decision that saw a 50% reduction in the charges this financial year with the charges being reduced to zero from the start of the 25/26 budget.
Mayor for Bedford Borough, Tom Wootton commented,
“Fairness is at the heart of this decision.
We are committed to ensuring that no community in Bedford Borough is unfairly penalised. This is about equity, transparency, and making sure everyone pays their fair share – no more, no less.”
Conservative Group Leader, Graeme Coombes commented,
“For years, the Liberal Democrats made the deliberate political choice to ignore the voices of residents in Kempston West and Great Denham, dismissing their concerns over the unfair and unjustifiable double taxation they faced. Now, instead of supporting fairness and addressing this clear inequity, they are actively opposing the Mayor’s decision to relieve these residents of an unnecessary financial burden.
It is deeply disappointing that both Liberal Democrat and Green Councillors would turn their backs on the principles of fairness and the very real financial struggles families are facing during these challenging times. Despite their attempts to derail and politicise this issue, the Mayor, with the support of Conservative and Labour Councillors, has acted decisively to bring an end to this unjust double tax.”
