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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.

Police and crime panel told there are just seven officers in Beds’ Rural Policing Team

There are just seven police officers and one sergeant in Bedfordshire’s Rural Policing Team, a meeting was told. The Bedfordshire police and crime commissioner (PCC)...

PCC asked to ‘redo’ report after Police and Crime panel criticism

The quality of the reports issued by the Bedfordshire police and crime commissioner and his office is not good enough, a meeting heard. And a report on drug dealing...

Cancer awareness campaigns a success, but fear of GP ‘bottlenecks’

More people are coming forward to get checked for cancer thanks to awareness campaigns – but concerns were raised that care could ‘bottleneck’ as people struggle...

Face-to-face council health meeting blasted as ‘hypocritical and irresponsible’

A Health Overview and Scrutiny meeting has been blasted as “hypocritical and irresponsible”. Councillor Kay Burley (Labour, Kempston Central and East Ward) asked the Bedford Borough...

Council to enforce energy efficiency ratings for rental properties

Millions of people could struggle to heat and power their homes this winter with the rise in prices plunging more households into fuel poverty. According to National Energy Action...

Bedford Borough Council fined for ‘injustice’ caused by delayed care assessment

A Bedford borough resident suffered an 'injustice' as the council delayed providing a full assessment of their needs or a care plan, the Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman said. The ombudsman...

New Domestic Abuse strategy to be implemented by Bedford Borough Council

A draft Domestic Abuse Strategy is set to be published for consultation by Bedford Borough Council later this month so it can update its strategies. The publication of new national guidance...

Bedford headteacher forced to wear bodycam after abuse from parents

Abuse from a minority of school run parents to enforcement officers, and to school staff, has led to one headteacher being issued with a bodycam. The recent (4 October) Bedford Borough...

Secondary school added to the no-car ‘School Street’ scheme

A second School Street scheme is to be put in place following the success of a trial at a Bedford school to restrict motorised traffic at school drop-off and pick-up times, a meeting heard...

Council ‘smashes’ its carbon reduction target despite increase in Borough Hall heating

A lack of body heat from staff during lockdown meant Borough Hall needed more heating than usual. This was one of the findings in the Annual Greenhouse Gas report presented at...

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