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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.

High Street off-licence applies to extend weekend alcohol sales to 4am

A Bedford town centre off-licence has applied to extend its alcohol sales hours to 4am at weekends to keep the business viable – despite objections from a local resident about potential...

Officer referred to monitoring officer following rebuttal in tennis court debate

A debate over Bedford borough’s revamped tennis courts took an unexpected turn when a councillor complained he had received a “rebuttal” from a council officer – and asked whether...

Bedford’s “Reform voters are not racist” – but some party policies are “xenophobic”

A health minister has insisted that the Bedfordians who choose to back Reform UK at the general election are “not racist” – but said some of the party’s policies are “deeply xenophobic” and...

Borough Council told to apologise after faults found in handling of care charge debt

Bedford Borough Council has been told to apologise and pay £300 compensation after a watchdog found faults in the way it dealt with a vulnerable resident’s care charges...

Borough Council accepts grant to fund wardens to tackle town centre anti-social behaviour

Bedford Borough Council has approved the acceptance of an £86,130 grant from Bedfordshire Police and the Home Office to fund a new Town Centre Warden initiative. The decision, taken by Mayor...

Call-in for review of CBC’s home to school transport policy changes rejected

Changes to home-to-school transport policies in Central Bedfordshire are already active, with an attempted call-in by a councillor to review the plans rejected, a meeting heard...

Planning screening request for new elective hub at Bedford Hospital resubmitted

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has resubmitted its request for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) screening opinion for a new Elective Hub at Bedford Hospital...

Major development submitted for 1,000 homes at Bedford River Valley Park

Bloor Homes has submitted a scoping request to Bedford Borough Council for a major 1,000 new home mixed-use scheme at Bedford River Valley Park. The site is around three miles east...

Councillor questions council tax rises that could “subsidise free car parking” as poorer households face losing support

Plans to overhaul Bedford Borough Council’s council tax reduction scheme have come under fire for placing new financial burdens on the Borough’s poorest residents after a councillor...

Universal Studios project sparks housing fears

A Bedford Borough Council meeting heard that the planned Universal Studios theme park could worsen housing pressures in Bedford, with fears that more homes will be turned into holiday...

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