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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.

GP surgeries ‘acutely aware of difficulties’ as they receive almost double the number of patient calls

One GP surgery in Bedford Borough recently received over 45,000 telephone calls in one month – well over the pre-pandemic norm of 27-29,000 calls. David Picking, head of primary care...

Bedford Borough Council staff ‘concerned and anxious’ over restructuring and returning to the workplace

Poor communication from the management is causing concerns and anxiety for Bedford Borough staff, a meeting heard. The Bedford Borough Council Employee Partnership...

Local fertility services a ‘postcode lottery’ with hopeful Bedford parents offered fewer cycles than Luton

Access to fertility services is still a ‘postcode lottery’ in the combined BLMK CCG area, a meeting heard. That's what Bedford Borough Council’s Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee heard...

“Exercise caution over Covid to avoid more restrictive measures” says Bedford health chief

People should continue to exercise caution over Covid to avoid more restrictive measures being put into place as the winter looms, a meeting heard. Bedford Borough Council’s Local...

Council leader says National Insurance rise won’t help pay for social care in Bedford

The increase in National Insurance will not help pay for social care in Bedford, the council heard. Councillor Michael Headley (Liberal Democrats, Putnoe Ward) Bedford Borough Council’s...

Bedford care home staff must have COVID vaccine if they want to remain employed

Care home workers in Bedford must have the COVID Vaccination if they want to remain employed unless they are clinically exempt. Kate Walker, Bedford Borough Council’s...

Bedfordshire Local Pension Board facing “challenging conditions” but remains within statutory guidelines

The Bedfordshire Local Pension Board has been told that lockdown restrictions and staffing issues have meant deadlines set by the pension fund have not been set. In a meeting, last week...

The return to school for Bedford students has started “differently” this term

Bedford Borough Council’s chief officer for education, SEND and schools, has said that he expects all school children in the Borough to now be back in school. Speaking to the Children’s...

Bedfordshire PCC apologises for not attending his own police and crime plan meeting

Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner Festus Akinbusoye has apologised for failing to turn up for a meeting to discuss his police and crime plan. The county’s police and...

NHS to look after Bedford’s contact tracing as health chiefs focus on unvaccinated

Contact tracing has been switched off in Bedford as public health chiefs turn their efforts to persuading the unvaccinated to get jabbed. A meeting was told that although case rates...

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