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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.

Bitterness, anger, threats and allegations in the air as council debates its East West Rail route response

A last ditch Conservative bid to get Bedford Borough Council to lobby for the Government to think again over a controversial new railway north of the town has been overwhelmingly rejected. A four-hour meeting was full of...

90 per cent of residents in Bedford COVID hot-spots yet to be tested

Only 10 per cent of residents in Bedford’s Indian variant hotspot wards have come forward for tests, a meeting heard yesterday (Thursday). Health chiefs are stepping up efforts to...

Jab ‘flexibility’ allowing more younger people to get vaccine amid variant protection push

More people in younger age groups are being allowed to get their covid jab across the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK) area as health leaders push to get more people protected against...

Crunch week of testing and “Super Sunday” of second jabs ahead as Bedford’s COVID detectives hunt down Indian variant

Virus hunters are hoping to be able to stamp down on the latest fast spreading coronavirus variant before it can tighten its grip on Bedford. They are carrying out a two-pronged strategy...

Anger and agony as councillors approve wonky Stevington chapel being turned into house

Borough councillors in Bedford have overturned part of a village’s neighbourhood plan – just 11 days after it was resoundingly approved by the community. More than half the 482 electors of Stevington...

Car rental firm allowed to take over waiting room at Elstow park and ride site

A waiting room intended to help users of Bedford’s park and ride to keep out of the elements while they wait to hop on a bus into town is set to be taken over by… a car rental company...

Flats for homeless people plan approved with acclaim

A plan to convert a former college building into supported flats for homeless people in Bedford has been greeted with acclaim by councillors. Rogers Court, on the corner of Kingsway and Cauldwell Street

“Terrifying” railway viaduct plan would put trains “50ft in the air” say residents

Residents have spoken of their fear of “terrifying” proposals to build a new railway viaduct north of Bedford for the controversial East West Rail project. A public consultation exercise launched...

Bedford “now back to where it was in October and November” after Indian COVID variant arrives

Public health chiefs in Bedford believe the Borough is now back to where it was in October and November after a new, more catchable, form of COVID-19 (coronavirus) unleashed itself on town. A...

‘Utterly absurd’ that remote meetings no longer permitted say councillors

After more than a year, face to face meetings of Bedford borough’s councillors are set to begin again next week. As of 7 May, remote meetings are no longer permitted, and councillors right across the political spectrum have...

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