Unpaid debt from council 'outrageous'

SIMON HUTCHINSON

Bedford Borough Council says it is still waiting for more than £8 million to be paid by its Central Bedfordshire counterparts.

Borough portfolio holder for finance, Michael Headley, says the situation is ‘outrageous’ and ‘sets a bad example’.

The borough council is owed £8,154,000 by Central Beds, with £4.2m of this outstanding for three months.

Now Liberal Democrats at the borough are demanding that Central Beds repay the debt immediately.

Cllr Headley said: “I am deeply concerned that it sets a bad example when a council doesn’t pay its bills on time.


Cllr Headley added: “After years of suffering at the hands of the high taxing Conservative county council, local residents are still being punished by the Tories of Central Beds.

“We cannot let this outrageous situation go unchallenged.

Local residents should not be penalised because Bedfordshire Conser - vatives won’t pay their bills.” A spokesman for Central Beds said “Central Bedfordshire Council has made payments of over £4.7m to Bedford Borough since the end of January 2010 in respect of outstanding debt. Central Beds has actively pursued the outstanding debt in order that these invoices can be settled as quickly as possible.

“It should be noted that as a result of the creation of the new unitary councils, a number of complex joint working arrangements were instigated that has resulted in some delays in the agreement of the overall sums owed between the authorities.

“Central Bedfordshire Council is meeting regularly with Bedford Borough to review the level of debt and also agree the bases of charges between the authorities in order that this issue can be speedily resolved.