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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.

Takeaway restaurants urged to keep Bedford’s streets clean

New government guidance aims to make sure new takeaway businesses play their part in cleaning up Bedford borough’s high streets. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) said its updated...

Bedfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner expresses a debt of gratitude to His Majesty.

A debt of gratitude has been expressed to King Charles III on social media by Bedfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner. Festus Akinbusoye revealed he benefited from the new monarch’s Prince’s Trust charity...

Councillor ‘stunned’ over Bedfordshire Youth Offending Service’s communication with staff

An inspector’s comment about Bedfordshire Youth Offending Service (YOS) failing to share information with its staff has been labelled “quite stunning” by a Central Bedfordshire councillor. But the allegation is “untrue”...

Concerns over pollution in Bedford’s River Great Ouse

The source of the recent contamination of the River Great Ouse has yet to be identified, Bedford Borough Council has said. Last week’s Environment & Sustainable Communities Overview & Scrutiny Committee...

New 3G artificial pitch plans to join Kempston Rovers Football Club.

Kempston Rovers Football Club could have a new artificial pitch – if proposed plans get the go-ahead.A planning application for an Artificial Turf 3G pitch with floodlighting, fencing and hard standing at the club’s ground on...

New scheme proposes hundreds of new rental homes in Bedford’s town centre

Hundreds of new rental homes could be coming to Bedford’s town centre, if a proposed scheme goes ahead. Castlecap and its partners gave a presentation on its Build to Rent (BTR) scheme for the corner of...

New Local Plan likely to reassess developers in Bedford borough over affordable housing

Developers building in Bedford borough may have their viability appraisals reassessed to retrospectively provide funding for the affordable housing they said they couldn’t afford, if the new Local Plan is adopted...

New system helping hospital patients get home earlier

Discharging patients from hospitals has been a “key hot ticket” for many years, so the government looked at how it could streamline the process and make it more efficient, a meeting has heard. The Adult Services...

Quarter of five-year-olds in Bedford Borough have tooth decay

An assessment of children’s oral health found that a quarter of Bedford Borough’s 5-year-olds had dental decay, with cases rising in the more deprived areas, and among children of...

Council launches new ‘Best Start’ website to help families

Bedford Borough Council is finalising its new ‘one-stop’ website offering advice for residents caring for young children, and it could go live this month. The website, which will...

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