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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.

“Council must have figures to substantiate green claims” meeting heard

An assessment of Bedford Borough Council’s climate action plan scored it two out of five for measuring and setting emissions targets...

Parish councillors called “doughnuts” in planning services review

A panel of councillors were surprised at colleagues’ lack of knowledge of the council’s planning system, and some parish council representatives were referred to as “doughnuts”. As part...

Plans to recognise Bedford’s World War Two control room with blue plaque

Plans for a blue plaque to recognise the location of a BBC Radio control room in Bedford during World War Two have been submitted. At the start of the war, parts of the BBC moved to “safer”...

New pavement cleaning machine could help Bedford’s green spaces too

A council’s new pavement cleaning machine may help to reduce the use of harmful chemicals in the borough’s green spaces. The Beds and Bugs Project update presented to the Climat...

Councillor says fuel poverty in Bedford Borough will mean “people are going to die”

A senior councillor has claimed that fuel poverty will mean “people are going to die” because they can’t afford to heat their homes. And councillors...

Covid case rate falls by 15 per cent but Bedford still above regional average

The Covid seven-day case rate in Bedford Borough has fallen by 15 per cent over the last week, but the borough is still above the East of England average. The council’s chief officer...

Calls to widen ‘accident prone’ Putnoe Primary footpath

Muddy conditions on a footpath to a school have caused accidents, a petitioner representing parents and children told Bedford Borough Council. Amanda Smith told councillors on...

Bedford Borough council tax is going up: Lib Dems and Labour blame Government cuts with local Conservatives trying to block the rise

Bedford borough residents will be seeing a 3.99 per cent increase in the council’s slice of their council tax bills following the approval of the council’s General Fund Budget for 2022/2023. The...

Bedford Borough Council rejects challenge to freeze council tax

A call from the Conservative group to freeze Bedford Borough Council tax was rejected by councillors last night (Wednesday, February 2). The Conservatives said it would be wrong...

Warnings given over Bedford teachers’ “perverse incentive” to remain unvaccinated

This school term has seen the highest number of Covid cases in schools since the pandemic began. Meanwhile, one councillor suggested teachers had a ‘perverse incentive’ to remain unvaccinated...

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