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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.

Council seeks new deal with developers to secure future of iconic airship sheds

Council planners are in new talks with developers over a deal to secure the future of the iconic giant airship sheds in Cardington. Bedford Borough Council had in 2014 given permission for 592 homes to be built near the sheds at Shortstown on the understanding that a deal would...

You may be the jewel in the crown but your lorries are ‘devastating’, councillor tells science park

A councillor made a passionate plea for his colleagues to vote against a plan that would “devastate” Sharnbrook. The owners of Colworth Science Park to the west of the village had applied to Bedford Borough Council to build an advanced manufacturing facility and a brand new national...

Village restaurant’s pergoda plan sparks debate on when street parking becomes a ‘nuisance’

Concerned residents objected when they found that a restaurant in Wood End, near Kempston had applied to build a pergola for 40 customers. Among their concerns were that even more customers would park outside their homes in Tithe Road, to use the Cross Keys...

Local CCG: ‘Half of patients in hospital’ with covid as NHS creaks under ‘extreme’ pressure

Around half of the patients in hospitals across Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes have covid, a meeting was told. Although the actual number of patients was not reported to the governing body of the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes...

Councillors call for ‘openness and transparency’ over vaccine roll out in Bedford

Local health chiefs were grilled by councillors for not releasing information about Covid-19 (coronavirus) vaccinations in Bedford. Some elected members at the borough council believe a reluctance to provide up to date information is causing...

“Racism and lack of trust” could be helping cause high covid rates in Bedford – claim

Systemic racism and a lack of trust in authority could be helping push high rates of Covid-19 (coronavirus) infection in Bedford, a meeting heard. A Bedford Borough Council meeting yesterday (Monday) saw a league table of recent cases...

Office-to-flat conversion plan appeal rejected over ‘poor living standards’

A planning inspector has thrown out a developer’s attempt to convert offices to flats on the basis that they would create poor living standards. Inspector Andrew Smith also rejected Homelink Properties’ argument that Bedford Borough Council had...

Flood clean up continues in Bedford following Christmas devastation

Floods which forced 1,300 people to evacuate their homes over Christmas have left a trail of rubbish which the council is still working to clear up. Responding to a question from a councillor, Bedford Borough Council’s environment...

Mayor urges vaccination catch up as talks continue over problematic third site

Two more vaccination centres are due to open in Bedford in the next few weeks although a meeting heard that one has been delayed because of concerns over traffic problems. Borough mayor Dave Hodgson has urged his colleagues in the NHS...

Bedford’s chief education officer: “Remote learning has to happen for every pupil in our schools”

As Bedford’s schools head once more into lockdown mode education chiefs want to make sure that all pupils have access to the internet. With Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement just minutes away borough councillors met yesterday...

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