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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.

Publicity around compulsory purchase orders could bring properties back into use

More publicity around compulsory purchases may encourage property owners to bring their empty homes back into use, a meeting heard. A report on the Empty Homes Programme...

Bedford health chiefs answer parents’ vaccine concerns at Covid Q&A session

The Covid vaccine might not stop you from catching the virus – but its purpose is to prevent you from getting severely ill, attendees on a Q&A Zoom call were told. On Thursday (4 November)...

Community Policing is ‘top priority’ as team revealed to be eight officers short

Community Policing in Bedfordshire is understaffed by eight team members, a meeting heard. Sharn Basra, assistant chief constable at Bedfordshire Police, told PCC Festus Akinbusoye...

Additional six-mile school run for Wixams’ parents after two year delay in road opening

There is no through route to join both halves of Wixams, meaning some children can’t walk to school, a meeting heard. Councillor Graeme Coombes told the recent Wixams...

Answers demanded over Mark Rutherford’s missing £1.1 million

A report on the case of more than £1m regeneration money which disappeared while being transferred to a Bedford school is due to be presented to a committee meeting later this...

New COVID guidance for Bedford schools not aligned with DfE policy

New guidance sent to Bedford schools by the council's Director of Public Health during half-term does not officially align with Department for Education policy. Ben Pearson, the Bedford...

Quarter of a million COVID-19 vaccines given in Bedford Borough

Bedford Borough Council’s Local Outbreak Engagement Board has been told there have been 242,055 doses of COVID-19 vaccines given out in Bedford Borough. Dan Ibeziako, head...

Covid-19 situation in Bedford is at “quite a high level” but stable

The Covid-19 situation in Bedford is stable but at "quite a high level," said Vicky Head, Director of Public Health for Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes at...

Man told to take ‘big bag of drugs’ to police station himself

A member of the public was told to take the ‘big bag’ of cannabis he found to the police station and wasn’t asked any questions about it when he got there. Bedfordshire police...

Digital cops: Social media ‘academy’ launched for Bedfordshire Police community officers

Online tracking and a more consistent social media presence are two methods Bedfordshire Police is hoping will enable it to keep people up to date on community policing. The PCC...

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