Bedford Borough Council is leading a newly created organisation to drive investment and support sustainable economic growth across the county.
The Bedfordshire Development Forum brings together local councils, business owners, investors and developers to share insights and explore solutions to future opportunities.
The forum met for the first time at the Harpur Suite yesterday (13 October).
Key local figures
The event featured speakers including Mayor Tom Wootton, council deputy chief executive Craig Austin and Duncan Flynn from the Cratus Group, who will manage the forum.
Mayor Tom Wootton (Conservative) said: “We’re at a crucial juncture for Bedford Borough, and for the county and region generally.
“The arrival of Universal United Kingdom Resort is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, whether for the Council, for residents, or for the countless businesses who can become part of the supply chain. But that’s only part of it.
“Bedfordshire is at the heart of the Oxford-Cambridge corridor, and our transport links are being enhanced by innovations such as the £1billion Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet infrastructure project.
“There is the new town development being built in Tempsford. And we are constantly working to bring new businesses and employers to our Borough.”
Community collaboration
The initiative aims to connect local businesses and supply chains to the massive infrastructure projects currently transforming Bedfordshire.
The mayor added: “With opportunity comes responsibility.
“We need to make sure that growth delivers real and lasting benefits for our communities, from homes, infrastructure and transport to employment, local businesses and our town centres.
“That cannot be achieved by local government alone. It requires genuine collaboration between councils, businesses, developers, investors and communities.
“That is what this forum can do, by bringing together people with different perspectives and expertise to share ideas, build relationships and, importantly, turn those conversations into action.”
