Update from Central Bedfordshire Council’s new children and families leadership
Monday, 19 January 2026
Our newly-appointed Executive Member for Children and Families and Deputy Executive Member have issued a joint update following their first week in post.
Councilor Gareth Mackey, Executive Member for Children and Families, and Councillor Liz Childs, Deputy Executive Member, said they are working quickly to get up to speed with their new responsibilities and are meeting with council officers, partners, and stakeholders to receive initial briefings. They confirmed they are already actively involved in the department’s work, especially as the council begins setting the budget for the year ahead.
They also paid tribute to Councillor Steve Owen for his hard work and commitment in the role, noting that he leaves a strong foundation for the continued improvement of services that support children and families across Central Bedfordshire.
The councillors outlined the key areas they will focus on as they take forward the Children and Families Portfolio:
- delivering on existing plans for SEND services, education, safeguarding, and children in care.
- oversee the transition to a two-tier school system
- support schools and improve educational outcomes
- strengthen relationships with partners
- ensure value for money
- improve communication
They emphasised their commitment to:
- being strong champions for schools and the SEND community
- advocating for fairer funding nationally
- supporting early identification of needs
- helping shape national reforms
- ensuring the voices of children, families, and schools remain central to decision making
- being open and transparent about the challenges, progress and performance
Councillor Mackey said:
We value the lived experience of our communities and families and want to work together to shape better outcomes for children and young people. We will make sure that the needs of children, families and schools are at the heart of everything we do.
Councillor Liz Childs added:
We owe it to our residents to support children, families and our schools to the best of our ability. We will be empathetic, supportive and respectful in considering their experiences and that starts with listening – something Cllr Mackey and I intend to invest significant time in doing.
Councillor Mackey continued:
Children and family services face significant challenges across the country, such as policy shortfalls, reducing funds and ever-growing demand for services. Our job is to meet these challenges head-on and do everything we can to help our communities thrive.
We will be strong champions for our schools and SEND community, lobbying government for improved funding and a system that gives every child the support they need to reach their potential.
Above all, we will stand up for our children, families and schools, making sure their voices shape national change and pushing for the policy and funding needed to turn these commitments into reality.