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.

Bedfordshire Police meeting told 999 calls have increased by over 1,000 a month

Less tolerance and fewer people travelling abroad could be reasons for the increase of calls to Bedfordshire Police, a meeting heard. At last week’s Delivery & Beating Crime Meeting...

Reduction in disproportionate numbers targeted by ‘stop and search’

Stop and search is an important tactic, but if it is not used effectively it can damage communities’ confidence with the police, a meeting heard. Bedfordshire’s deputy chief...

“Significant” reduction in number of Bedford Hospital inpatients with Covid-19

A greater proportion of unvaccinated people will end up in hospital, but as there are so few unvaccinated in the community, they don’t make up the bulk of inpatients, a meeting has heard. Ian...

“Upset” over slow investigation into missing Mark Rutherford million

A finance committee chairman has criticised the length of time being taken by a local authority to investigate why more than £1m regeneration money disappeared in the Luton...

Bedford Borough villages approve Council’s neighbourhood plans with local referendum

Neighbourhood plans written by local people and said to not just be about planning and delivering new homes but also "explain what is special about each parish", have now been...

Bins won’t be rubbish in Bedford’s parks after upgrade

All the bins in Bedford’s parks are being updated to provide more capacity for rubbish and recycling provision. Bedford Borough Council is responsible for the emptying of 1,129 litter bins...

Bedford Borough Council urged to move pension fund out of fossil fuel firms

Bedford Borough Council has been asked to join Luton Borough Council and urge the Bedfordshire Pension Fund to move its holdings away from fossil fuel firms. Presenting an urgent...

Cars parked illegally outside schools ‘should be crushed’ says senior Bedford councillor

A senior Bedford councillor would like to have the cars found parking illegally on zigzags outside schools crushed, a meeting heard. Bedford Borough Council’s Climate Change...

Controversial Covid guidance for Bedford schools to be reviewed as cases fall across Borough

Controversial Covid advice issued to schools, colleges, parents and carers at the end of the half-term holidays is to be reviewed as it's announced that Covid rates across the Borough...

Council pledge 24/7 outreach team responding to reports of rough sleepers this winter

Almost 200 people claiming to be homeless and sleeping rough in Bedford borough could not be found by support teams. At the borough council’s Housing Committee meeting...

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.