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Local Democracy Reporter

Written by the BBC's Local Democracy Reporter named at the end of the article.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service was created to help strengthen coverage of local public bodies and ensure communities have access to trusted, independent reporting on decisions made in their name.

Funded by the BBC and delivered in partnership with local news organisations, the scheme supports dedicated journalists to report on councils, public services and other democratic institutions. Their work helps residents better understand how decisions are made, how public money is spent and how those decisions affect everyday life.

For the Bedford Independent, the Local Democracy Reporting Service plays an important role in maintaining regular, detailed coverage of Bedford Borough Council and other local public bodies, supporting our wider commitment to public-interest journalism, transparency and accountability.

Plans for drive-through cafés near Kempston withdrawn after Environment Agency objection

Plans for drive-through cafés and an employment development near Kempston have been withdrawn after the Environment Agency said the site lies within a functional floodplain...

Queens Drive store makes second bid for fresh pizza

A Bedford convenience store and post office has submitted a fresh bid to add a pizza takeaway, two months after the council refused a similar plan. The applicant’s planning...

New town at Tempsford among government plans for the biggest housebuilding push in 50 years

Seven proposed new towns, including Tempsford and the eastern expansion of Milton Keynes towards Central Bedfordshire, could “kick-start the biggest housebuilding push in more than 50 years”, according to the government...

Bedford Borough Council urged to use new government support fund for school holiday food vouchers

A Bedford borough councillor urged the authority to use a new government support fund to continue school holiday food vouchers – moments after the administration said the same...

Detailed EWR construction plans for Bedford still not available

Bedford borough councillors have voiced concern that key plans showing how East West Rail will be phased through the town are still not available, despite the project being expected to start building...

Bedford councillors back call to review pension fund investments linked to Gaza conflict

Bedford Borough councillors have backed calls to review Bedfordshire Pension Fund investments linked to the Gaza conflict after a petition signed by more than 300 residents...

Nine-home Sharnbrook farmland plan returns six years after refusal

Plans to build nine homes on farmland in Sharnbrook have been resubmitted six years after being refused, with developers citing a lack of five-year housing land supply. The application seeks...

Bedford Independent environment partner warns against eating fish from River Great Ouse

The Bedford Independent’s environment partner has warned people not to eat fish from the River Great Ouse in Bedford after tests revealed high levels of E. coli and other pollutants...

Eight-week demolition of Queen’s Bridge in Kempston begins

Demolition of Kempston's Queens Bridge started this week after engineers declared the timber footbridge unsafe following a structural inspection last summer. Bedford Borough Council has warned...

Council says AI tools are making Freedom of Information requests more complex

Bedford Borough Council is facing growing pressure in responding to Freedom of Information (FOI) and Subject Access Requests (SARs), with councillors warned that the use of artificial...

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