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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.

Publish schools’ air quality data to discourage idling vehicles, says Green councillor

Parents idling their cars on the school run are not only causing a nuisance to residents, they are ‘poisoning’ their children, a meeting heard. The Green Travel Plan for Schools report...

Selling and renting back Borough Hall would be ‘ultimate greenwashing’ of carbon emissions

One way Bedford Borough Council could reduce its carbon emissions would be to sell Borough Hall and rent it back, but this is “ultimate greenwashing”, a meeting heard. Bedford mayor...

Beds Police updates measures to keep low-risk criminals out of the court system

Bedfordshire Police has updated a process for dealing with low to medium risk criminals outside the court system with the hope of steering them away from a life of crime...

‘Overhaul’ of Bedfordshire mental health services planned if funding approved

A planned overhaul of mental health services in Bedfordshire remains on track if a complex finance arrangement is in place to proceed with the £70m investment. Under the proposals, a £60m...

Covid-19 booster jab starts across Bedford Borough

The Covid-19 booster programme has started and is being delivered through some GP practices, pharmacies and large vaccination centres by appointment only, a meeting heard. Dan Ibeziako, from...

Rapid increase in overall Covid cases across Borough

There has been a rapid increase in Bedford Borough’s overall Covid case rate over the last two weeks, a meeting heard. Ian Brown, chief officer for public health, told yesterday’s (30 September...

Covid infection rate in children double since schools reopened

The Covid infection rate for secondary school-age children in Bedford has doubled since they first returned to school. And the number of positive case notifications is more than four...

Health chiefs: “we will make sure everybody’s voice is heard” in consultation

Every comment submitted to a consultation on realigning medical services across Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK) will be recorded and submitted to the decision-makers...

Greater efforts to increase vaccine uptake as Covid cases on the rise in Bedford Borough

Increases in Covid cases across the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK) area have led to pressures on local hospitals, but efforts are being made to increase vaccination uptake...

CCG reminds residents that they must wait six months for COVID booster jab

People aren’t aware that they have to wait six months before they can have a COVID booster jab, a meeting heard. Geraint Davies, director of performance and governance at Bedfordshire...

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