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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.

Bin better: Boozy Bedfordians and driver shortages put recycling drop-off points under pressure

A combination of lorry driver shortages, vastly increased alcohol consumption and closed charity shops are putting council waste collection services under growing pressure. Councillors were…

It’s “impossible to plan in detail” for the return to school in September

There is a real prospect that the new school year will look very much like the one just about to end, with masks and Covid-19 precautions still in place, a meeting heard. Leading Bedford...

Council “alarm” as Bedford’s maintained schools fail to spend £6.4m during pandemic

Maintained schools in Bedford borough have put an extra £2 million of taxpayers’ money into their savings accounts during the pandemic, a committee heard. Bedford Borough Council’s...

Cancer services rejig aims to improve Bedfordshire patients’ chances of survival

Multi-million-pound plans are being drawn up by NHS leaders to improve cancer services across Bedfordshire and beyond. Although the £230m price tag for moving Mount Vernon Cancer Centre to Watford Hospital...

Fears for isolated new mums as health visiting service struggles with demand

There’s been such a massive increase in the number of vulnerable babies and children receiving health visitor support that the rest of the service has been buckling under the strain, a meeting heard...

Council continues to defend Fusion contract despite ongoing calls for change

Council officers have defended giving taxpayers’ support to a leisure operator to help it when the venues it runs were mothballed during the pandemic. A meeting this week heard that Bedford...

Warning to stop covid coming home

Public health chiefs in Bedford believe they will struggle to get covid safety messages across to the public in advance of Sunday’s football final. A meeting yesterday (Thursday) heard...

Care home sector prepares for covid announcements ‘with bated breath’

Adult social care leaders in Bedford are waiting with ‘bated breath’ for announcements that will determine the future for care homes. The Government is next week due to set out its guidance for...

Organisers await decision on holding music event at historic Tofte Manor

Organisers have denied that they are trying to override the conditions of their entertainment licence as they bid to hold a third music event at an historic venue. The licence for Tofte Manor, between Sharnbrook...

Bedford Children’s Services keeping “fingers crossed” for next Ofsted inspection

Bedford's leaders of children’s services believe Ofsted inspectors will find big improvements when they next pay the borough an in-depth visit. Borough council children’s services...

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