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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.

Thieves behind Mark Rutherford theft also tried to steal millions from Bedford Borough Council

A sophisticated crime group responsible for stealing £1.1m destined for a school in Bedford attempted a similar fraud to acquire a £3.2m grant, which was foiled soon afterwards. The second offence...

Permanent school inclusions fall across Bedford Borough

The number of pupils permanently excluded from Bedford borough schools fell last year. The latest government figures show that 33 pupils were permanently excluded from the borough’s...

Investigation into missing Mark Rutherford millions likely to be “long-term and worldwide.”

An organised and sophisticated crime group was responsible for stealing £1.1m regeneration funding destined for Mark Rutherford school, an inquiry has found. Luton Borough Council and...

Planning application considered for 24-hour drive-thru Starbucks

Starbucks is looking to replace the former Maplin unit in Bedford’s St John’s Retail Park with a 24-hour drive-thru coffee shop. The planning application, which has been submitted...

Council assures taxpayers that they are not putting “hardworking” people’s money at risk

Bedford Borough Council is not one of the councils behind a government warning about putting taxpayers’ money at risk, the councillor in charge of its purse strings has said...

Incinerator owners say there have been no complaints from residents about emissions or odours

People living near an incinerator site close to Bedford have expressed concerns about emissions to their local councillor. But the owners of the site say no one has complained to...

Share your views on crime and anti-social behaviour for new Community Safety Plan

Bedford borough residents are being asked to share their concerns about crime and anti-social behaviour in the area. The Bedford Borough Community Safety Partnership (CSP)...

Expansion of Willington Lock Quarry if planning permission granted

A quarry near Bedford could grow if permission for its extension is granted. The application, which has been submitted to Bedford Borough Council, is to extend the existing...

Have your say over plans to fill two partially flooded quarry voids near Bedford

The Environment Agency (EA) is seeking views on a proposal to infill the two voids south of Bedford with excavation and construction materials. London Brick extracted clay from the site...

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