Council review finds misogyny and bullying culture

Government inspectors have found evidence of a bullying and misogynistic culture across political groups at Bedford Borough Council.

It found a blame culture within the organisation and accused Conservative Mayor Tom Wootton of "avoiding difficult decisions and conflict".

Wootton said: "I understand the findings will concern residents and I take them extremely seriously. I am determined to see this work through and build a council residents can have confidence in, and be proud of."

The authority has been given 10 working days to respond to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

The results of the best value inspection report means commissioners could be overseeing work at the council for the next three years.

The best-value inspection of the authority was ordered by the government in February at a cost of up to £3,400 per day, with three inspectors spending three months at Borough Hall.

At the time, Wootton called on chief executive Laura Church to resign, but opposition parties accused him of bad financial management.

The report has now been published and it says Wootton, who faced a no-confidence vote in July, "lacks the leadership skills to create a positive leadership environment".

It added that this "contributed to poor decision-making and lack of prioritisation" on the authority, while a background of "very competitive electoral politics" has created conditions for "low trust and highly combative politics in the council" across all political groups.

The authority has a Conservative mayor along with 14 other Tory councillors, but 13 Lib Dems, 12 Labour, four Greens and three independents.

Evidence was provided of poor behaviours between members and officers, which had led to "low trust between members and officers, with capacity and capability challenges at officer level further damaging relationships".

The report added that "the council faces challenges largely of its own creation and it could do a much better job of resolving them than it currently does".

In February, the government offered the authority up to £80m of exceptional financial support on the condition it produced a financial improvement plan.

However inspectors found its most recent plan "does not give confidence it will drive the necessary urgent and focused change in the council this year" and said the authority "had large gaps to fill in its medium-term financial strategy for the coming years" despite this one-off support from the government.

It described some positive elements relating to local partnerships, community relationships, a constructive role in attracting and supporting Universal and the pride and commitment shown by officers, members and partners in serving the borough.

Church said: "We acknowledge the significance of the report and the need to increase the pace and scale of change. Our staff have continued to deliver vital services during a demanding period, and their expertise and commitment will be central to the improvements ahead."

Wootton added: "When I became mayor in May 2023, the council was already facing significant financial challenges. The independent CIPFA review (in July 2025) subsequently identified longstanding weaknesses in financial management and governance, alongside serious pressures affecting services today.

"Since then, we have commissioned independent scrutiny, strengthened spending controls and developed a comprehensive Improvement Plan to address these challenges."

However, the Labour MP for Bedford Mohammad Yasin said: "It is deeply disappointing, though sadly not surprising, to see such a damning report identifying serious failings across the organisation, with weaknesses in both political and managerial leadership.

"I am particularly concerned by the findings on staff morale and the reports of a poor working atmosphere, misogyny and bullying.

"No-one should have to work in an environment where they feel undermined, intimidated or unable to speak up."

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