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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.

£10 council tax rise for Bedfordshire Police approved

The Bedfordshire Police and Crime Panel has voted to support the proposed £10 (Band D) policing precept rise, but it wants to improve clarity on savings and efficiencies made by the...

Consistently high level of demand as Bedford’s social services gets thousands of calls a month

The complexity of cases that Bedford Borough’s social care services are experiencing is “much more serious” than it has been in the past – and there has been a “slow, but steady” increase...

Bedfordshire PCC says targeted policing reason for fall in burglaries not pandemic

Bedfordshire’s police and crime commissioner (PCC), Festus Akinbusoye has said that the fall in burglaries in the county was due to targeted policing and not just Covid and lockdowns...

Resident told ‘rules are not fair’ at Borough planning meeting

A resident from a small Bedford borough parish has been told that the planning rules “are not fair” in response to his objections to...

Bedfordshire Police ranked sixth in UK for solved rape and serious sexual offences

Police forces are visiting Bedfordshire to see how it has improved its judicial system turnaround for rape and serious sexual offences, the PCC...

PCC grateful that Bedfordshire MPs have raised force’s funding concerns in Parliament

Bedfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner has said he is grateful that the issue of inadequate funding for police has been raised in Parliament...

Pandemic led to increase in child neglect and domestic abuse in Bedford Borough

A rise in neglect, physical and psychological harm to young children and domestic abuse was fuelled by increased pressures on families caused by the Covid pandemic, a meeting heard...

Recruiting care staff “a struggle” and an ongoing concern in Bedford

Recruiting care staff is “a struggle” admitted a council chief – but the council is working on ways to attract and retain more people to the sector. The Adult Services Overview & Scrutiny...

Decision on Bedford Borough’s council tax increase expected next month

Bedford Borough councillors will consider a council tax increase of 3.99 per cent next month. Bedford Borough Council’s Constitution requires that Full Council considers the budget...

Bedford Hospital maternity department seeing ‘really positive signs of improvement’

Bedfordshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is seeing ‘really positive signs of improvement’ after an ‘in-depth’ plan was started to address...

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