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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.

Developer funding released to kickstart Bedford to Milton Keynes Waterway project

Bedford Borough Council has agreed to release £4.5 million in developer funding to begin work on the long-planned Bedford to Milton Keynes Waterway. At a meeting of the Executive...

Universal water demand can be managed, say planning documents

The proposed Universal Studios theme park in Bedford would add huge pressure to local water supplies, potentially increasing the town’s daily demand by around 50 per cent...

Ombudsman finds fault in Council’s supported living care

A complaint against Bedford Borough Council following shortcomings in the care provided at a supported living placement has been upheld by The Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman...

Three Bedford organisations to share £70,000 of House of Industry grant funding

Three Bedford organisations supporting residents in hardship shared nearly £70,000 in grants following last night’s Trustees of the House of Industry Estate Management...

Still no timeframe for Wixams GP surgery as council and health authority discuss delivery

A timeframe to deliver a planned GP surgery to serve Wixams remains elusive, despite ongoing talks between the health authority and two local councils. But the BLMK Integrated...

Report says Bedford Borough Council must take urgent action to avoid bankruptcy

Bedford Borough Council faces “extremely challenging” financial pressures, and it must take urgent action to avoid bankruptcy, according to the Chartered Institute of Public...

Details of “confidential” Borough Council property deals shared with a Parish Council

Bedford Borough Council has spent months refusing to release details of three property deals – even though the information was quietly shared with a parish council just two weeks...

Bedford Borough Councillors argue after council tax scheme consultation scrapped

A war of words has broken out at Bedford Borough Council after plans to consult on changes to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTR) were abandoned. Liberal Democrat...

Closure of Blue and White Peris going ahead despite last-ditch attempt to save Bedford schools’ outdoor education centres

A last-ditch attempt to overturn Bedford Borough Council’s decision to close the Blue and White Peris Mountain Centre has failed, after scrutiny, councillors concluded they had “no concerns”...

Central Bedfordshire Council looks at new home-to-school transport policy to save £23million

A revised home-to-school transport policy for Central Bedfordshire could save £23m over ten years, a meeting heard. The number of school buses used is forecast to fall from 282...

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