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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.

Trees to be sacrificed to ease Sharnbrook School traffic build-up

Four mature trees – and possibly a fifth – are to be sacrificed to the needs of parents driving their children to and from a school...

‘Held to ransom’: Policing council tax rise agreed to unlock national funding

Securing full funding to police Bedfordshire in 2020/21 has been likened to holding police and crime commissioners to ransom and putting a gun to their...

Bedford’s Mayor feels the heat over climate change action

The heat was turned up on Bedford's Mayor, Dave Hodgson over whether the council was doing enough to do its bit to tackle climate change...

Bedfordshire hospitals prepare for coronavirus

Hospitals in Bedfordshire would resort to using isolated side rooms, if there were cases of a the coronavirus virus in the county...

Bedford Hospital: seven-day service proposed following merger

A consistent standard of health services, even at weekends, could be one of the benefits of a merger between two Bedfordshire hospitals, a meeting heard...

Figures show dramatic collapse in local hydrotherapy care since NHS pool closure

Furious Bedford councillors will be firing off an angry letter to the town’s hospital and health commissioners over the closure of a well-used hydrotherapy...

Bedford Borough: Interest rates may come DOWN this year, council’s investment experts say

Interest rates may come DOWN this year as the economy stutters because of Brexit and global trade uncertainties. That’s according to the investment advisers...

Last ditch bid to stop plan for 165 new homes in Ravensden fails

Borough planners have voted to approve a controversial application for up to 165 new homes in a north Bedfordshire village after hearing a final plea to...

Bromham Parish Councillors ‘shocked’ as new doctor’s surgery approved for Biddenham

A plan for a new doctors’ surgery and care home in Biddenham to replace two part-time surgeries in Bromham has been approved despite objections...

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