Best Value Inspection: Bedford Borough Council
Documents relating to the Best Value Inspection of Bedford Borough Council.
This page collates all publications relating to the inspection of Bedford Borough Council announced in February 2026 and conducted under section 10 of the Local Government Act 1999.
On 10 February 2026 in a written ministerial statement, the Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness, Alison McGovern MP, announced that ministers have appointed inspectors to undertake a Best Value Inspection of Bedford Borough Council’s compliance with the Best Value Duty. Paul Najsarek is appointed as Inspector and Margaret Lee and Parveen Akhtar are appointed as Assistant Inspectors. Parveen Akhtar withdrew from the role for personal reasons and on 31 March 2026 Tasnim Shawkat was appointed as Assistant Inspector.
On 15 October 2026, the Minister for Local Government, Devolution and Regional Growth, Jim McMahon OBE MP, announced in a written ministerial statement the publication of the Best Value Inspection Report and that he is minded to exercise powers of direction under sections 15 of the Local Government Act 1999, to ensure Bedford Borough Council’s compliance with the Best Value Duty. He also invited representations from the Council and other interested parties on both the report, and the proposal for a statutory intervention package by 28 October 2026.