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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.

Bedford Corn Exchange, churches, gurdwaras and mosques could be flu vaccination points

Places of worship and indoor venues are being lined up as possible places where at-risk people could receive free flu vaccinations and remain socially distant. Bedford Mayor Dave Hodgson said...

Coronavirus data questioned amid fears Bedford’s R-rate exceeds one

Bedford’s mayor is worried that the borough’s crucial R-rate might have gone above the critical level needed to control the coronavirus pandemic...

Bedford could feel coronavirus impact for “a generation”

A council report has painted a grim picture of a post-coronavirus Bedford, saying there will be a "profound" knock-on effects of COVID-19 on the area that may last for a generation. The report...

Bedford Borough Council costs order after “unreasonable” planning decision delay

A Government inspector has ordered Bedford Borough Council to pay costs after “unreasonable” delays in making a planning decision. Dominic Batchelor was so fed up with waiting for...

Father’s ‘biblical plague’ fears about council depot revamp are rejected by planners

A father feared that his daughter would be subjected to “biblical plagues” of rats and flies from the reorganisation of a council depot...

More than 1,000 Bedford Borough households get their council tax bills fully paid

More than 1,170 households in Bedford will have their council tax bills fully paid off to help them get through the coronavirus lockdown...

Cllr Henry Vann praises businesses ready to ‘bounce back’ once lockdown is lifted

Town centre businesses are like a “coiled spring, ready to bounce back” once the coronavirus crisis is over, according to a leading councillor...

Democracy and planning rules overrule human rights in appeal for new Renhold home

Planning rules were deemed to be more important than the human rights of a man who wanted to convert a holiday chalet into a permanent home...

Developer’s hopes for a new home on sewage station site in Bromham go down the pan

A plan to knock down what’s left of an old sewage pumping station and build a five bedroom house in its place has been dismissed by a government inspector...

Plans for 80 homes in Bromham rejected over car use concerns

A plan for 80 homes on the outskirts of a village has been rejected because it would have encouraged people to drive. Government planning inspector...

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