Conservatives in Bedford Borough have taken decisive action to transform the Council’s Homelessness service after years of underinvestment and serious neglect by the Liberal Democrats left it teetering on the edge of collapse.
Over the past year, demand for the Homelessness service has increased dramatically, pilling on serious financial and workload pressures. However, Liberal Democrats failed to provide the resources to manage the increasing workload – resulting in significant overspends that are now set to cost the Council almost £6m.
Despite the sheer lack of resources, hardworking Borough Officers have kept the service afloat over the past year. However, it is unfair to our Officers and the vulnerable residents who need this vital service to keep it so dangerously under resourced.
In order to improve the service, the Conservatives will be providing additional resources to so we can get the staff and expertise needed to address the increase in demand.
Cllr Phillippa Martin-Moran-Bryant added; “Bedford Borough Council remains steadfast in its mission to create a community where homelessness is effectively prevented, and everyone has access to secure and stable housing.
As well as looking at what is happening internally, I have also met with a number of organisations locally to look at how we work together - including the Housing Partnership, SMART, Kings Arms, Impakt and CAB to understand how we are all working to improve residents’ lives.”