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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 River Festival bans single use plastic

Single-use plastics are being banned from bars at next year’s Bedford River Festival as part of the council’s drive to become more environmentally friendly. And a meeting of...

Trust ‘eroded’ between GPs and ambulance call handlers over 999 ‘algorithm’

Family doctors are frustrated with their ambulance service colleagues over the way that 999 calls are being handled, a committee heard.

Prevention of future deaths notice slapped on Bedford Hospital

A coroner has demanded action by Bedford Hospital to close loopholes in procedures and training that she believes may lead to more patient deaths...

Traffic death worries over homes plan near Wootton Upper School

Campaigners fear that children’s lives will be put at risk on even busier roads if 81 new homes are built next to a school.

Villages being ‘savaged’ by developers as more houses given planning permission

Bedford’s villages are being “savaged” by developers who are exploiting a massive breach in the borough’s planning defences.

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...

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