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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.

Bedfordshire PCC says she’ll leave cash for policing projects

A £300,000 funding package will be available to the next Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner to ensure some continuity of services. The county’s PCC Kathryn...

PCC pushing through planning application for Greyfriars police station development

A prominent town centre eyesore in Bedford is edging closer to having its future resolved, insists Police and Crime Commissioner, Kathryn Holloway...

Bedfordshire’s PCC faces uncertain future

Bedfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner remained tight-lipped about her future in the role after a meeting of the county’s police and crime panel.

Hospital CEO confirms ‘nothing in Bedford’ of £99m merger funding

Fears that Bedford Hospital will be the ‘poor relation’ after it merges with the Luton & Dunstable Hospital emerged at a meeting this week, provoking angry...

Bedford Hospital halves its nursing shortage, but cancer diagnosis specialists still lacking

A Bedford Borough Council committee was told that Bedford Hospital has turned around a nursing shortage of 'about 24 per cent' six months ago to about...

Farmer tells planning committee: ‘Don’t scapegoat us for all the lorries in Pavenham’

A farmer’s use of buildings for storage and distribution – and the lorries associated with the business – has split the community in Pavenham.

Bedford hydrotherapy pool latest: Too costly to reopen says CCG report

Hydrotherapy services for Bedfordshire are to be shared around other pool facilities after a series of problems at the current site, says a report to...

Willington development decision delayed by council planning committee

Don’t harm our village! That was the cry from Willington residents who turned out in force to object to a plan for new housing on farmland...

Committee formed to address concerns over new GP surgeries

A new committee has been formed in Bedford to put health chiefs, planners, and property developers under the microscope over how new GP surgeries are...

Bedford Hospital chiefs accused of ‘ignoring patients’ as hydrotherapy pool decision looms

Health chiefs are being recommended to go against the wishes of the vast majority of patients and stop using a run-down hydrotherapy pool in Bedford...

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