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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.

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...

Coronavirus forces planning decisions to be made behind closed doors

Major planning decisions will be taken behind closed doors until the coronavirus crisis is over. Bedford Council’s planning committee has decided...

Bedford Hospital delays all non-urgent procedures to cope with coronavirus outbreak

All non-urgent procedures are being delayed as Bedford Hospital deals with the coronavirus outbreak. The chief executives of both Bedford and the Luton...

Dinosaurs are about to go extinct – again, as Bedford Brough Council approves ban on paper

Self-identified dinosaurs and Luddites at Bedford Borough Council are threatening a “rebellion” if paper is banned at meetings...

Bedford Borough reinforcements arrive to tilt the balance as opening shots are fired in village’s planning battle

Reinforcements from the council have arrived just in time for the opening of a public inquiry into plans to build up to 80 new homes in Bromham...

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