An Extraordinary meeting of Bedford Council has agreed to £3.96m of urgent repairs to the Borough’s Leisure Centres. Repairs to the Borough’s leisure suite were put on hold after a previous meeting of the Council had rejected the full capital programme.

This meant that essential funding for significant repairs and maintenance work wasn’t available, and could have jeopardised the ability to open leisure centres around the Borough on 1st February, the day of handover to Bedford’s new leisure contract operator, Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL).

In addition to the leisure suite repairs, the Council also agreed more of the capital programme that had been rejected on 29th November. Mayor Tom Wootton’s plans for investment in GP centres, the Muslim burial ground and town centre rejuvenation were also agreed.

This means the £9 million funding for GP’s, the Muslim Cemetery project and Town Centre regeneration funding for Bedford and Kempston, are all back in the plan.

Portfolio Holder for Finance, and Conservative Group leader, Cllr Graeme Coombes (Wixams & Wilstead ward) commented:

“I’m glad Labour and Liberal Democrat Councillors were able to put aside their political cudgels for a few a hours and finally saw sense and accepted most of the Mayor’s bold new investment plan for Bedford Borough. The Council can now crack on with unblocking the delivery of GP surgeries, committing funding to fix our crumbling leisure facilities and start regenerating both Bedford and Kempston. The Council is now behind the Mayor’s capital plan seeking to improve the lives of everyone in Bedford Borough.

Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, Cllr Sarah Gallagher (Shortstown Ward) commented:

“I am delighted that Council has agreed to the necessary funding to undertake urgent repairs to Borough leisure centres and swimming pools. This was absolutely essential, in order to ensure continuity of service when the new operator, Greenwich Leisure, takes over on 1st February 2024.”

Mayor of Bedford Borough, Tom Wootton commented:

“This is fantastic news for Bedford Borough, and I would like to thank all members of the Council for giving residents of the Borough a proper Christmas present – a capital programme that represents a positive change for Bedford Borough and delivering on what matters to Borough residents.”