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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.

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...

County-wide partnership to help families affected by drug & alcohol problems

A system is to be adopted across Bedfordshire to help parents overcome serious drug or alcohol problems and keep their families together, where possible.

Bedford station has second highest number of bike thefts in the country

Bedford's train station has been found to have the second highest number of bike thefts in the country. Data collected found that in the past three years, out of 1,245 stations, Bedford had the second...

Housing charity could be at risk if forced to buy expensive wooden windows

“Don’t make us pay more than three times as much for wooden windows.” That’s the plea from elderly residents of a charity’s housing estate in Stewartby. Planning officers at...

Councillors approve final Bromham Road Bridge plan despite disability concerns

Cyclists and a wheelchair-using councillor have slammed plans for the design of the replacement railway bridge on Bromham Road. The bridge is currently closed until Spring 2020 while...

Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group on course for “real terms deficit”

Health bosses in Bedfordshire want to put the brakes on expenditure to avoid implementing a so-called “stink list” of cost cutting measures. Early indications in the...

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