Picture of Local Democracy Reporter

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 submitted to convert former Great Denham golf club into business units

Plans to convert part of the former Great Denham Golf Course to offices or light industrial units have been submitted to Bedford Borough Council. The application said the closed...

New owners of St Mary’s Street off-licence apply for longer trading hours

A Bedford off-licence is seeking permission to sell alcohol for longer hours after coming under new ownership. On Friday (13 March), the Licensing Sub-Committee heard an application to...

Court rejects claim over Wixams Town Council meeting notice but allows second issue to proceed

Wixams Town Council said it welcomed a court’s decision to refuse permission for a legal claim relating to its Annual Council Meeting last year. A councillor had sought permission...

Major funding boost for GP surgeries in Great Barford and Wixams

Bedford Borough Council has announced a major funding boost from NHS England for new GP surgeries in Great Barford and Wixams. Tom Wootton (Conservative), mayor of Bedford Borough...

Vacant Renhold home could become ‘small residential institution’

Plans have been submitted to convert a house in Renhold into a small residential institution. The application to Bedford Borough Council seeks permission to change the use of 2 Becher Close...

Bedford Borough Council risks missing out on developer payments due to data transfer delays

Bedford Borough Council could risk failing to collect some developer contributions linked to housing developments because hundreds of planning agreements have not yet been transferred into a...

EWR funding agreemement with Bedford Borough Council still not finalised

A funding agreement between East West Rail and Bedford Borough Council for work on the proposed Bedford–Cambridge railway has not yet been finalised, despite similar arrangements already...

Bedford Borough Council children’s services facing ‘higher demand than anticipated’

Bedford borough social workers are assessing more children than expected for an area of its size, councillors have been told. Bedford Borough Council’s Children’s Services Overview...

Retrospective planning application for High Street flat conversion

A flat above a Bedford High Street leisure venue has been built and occupied before seeking planning approval. The retrospective planning application relates to 38 High Street, where...

Bedford Borough Council says £10m borrowing refinance not linked to financial support bid

Bedford Borough Council has clarified that £10m of borrowing refinanced into longer-term loans is routine treasury management and does not increase the authority’s debt...

Get the latest Bedford news first

Subscribe to our free daily email for our lead story each morning before we publish it anywhere else, plus the key Bedford Borough headlines from the last 24 hours – without having to log into social media.