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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.

Planning application submitted to turn Bedford home into adult care facility

A planning application has been submitted to convert a four-bedroom house on St Alban Road, Bedford, into a residential care home for adults. The proposal, submitted by...

Central Bedfordshire reveals plans for housing developments near villages on Bedford Borough border

A list of more than 450 potential Local Plan housing sites across Central Bedfordshire, including several on the Bedford Borough border near Stewartby, Kempston Hardwick, Wixams...

Updated planning application for Souldrop pub conversion

Developers behind plans to convert the former Bedford Arms pub in Souldrop into a house say there’s no commercial future for the business, despite objections from residents who insist it could thrive. A new planning statement submitted to...

Major transport improvements are vital to success of Universal theme park says council leader

The leader of Central Bedfordshire Council has backed plans for a Universal Studios theme park in the county, describing the development as “great news” — but warning that vital infrastructure upgrades must come with it...

Bedford Borough Council accused of hiding debt rise as finance chief calls £5m loan ‘sound practice’

Bedford Borough Liberal Democrats have said calling a loan “reprofiling” is just a “smokescreen” – but the council’s finance chief has defended the move as sound practice...

Bedfordshire OPCC takes out £8.5m in loans to support infrastructure plans

Bedfordshire’s Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) has borrowed £8.5 million since December, according to data published by the Public Works Loans Board (PWLB)...

Plans to scrap two Bedford Borough Council committees spark democracy concerns

A proposal to remove two Bedford Borough Council committees would result in a “loss of strong governance”, an opposition councillor has claimed. But Bedford’s mayor said he was...

Mayor says Bedford town centres ‘under siege’ by crime in letter to police chief constable

Bedford and Kempston town centres are 'under siege' by crime, Bedford’s mayor has said in a scathing letter to the chief constable. Mayor Tom Wootton (Conservative) told the chief...

Bedford Borough Council changes public data after breach, but won’t report to ICO

Bedford Borough Council has altered a set of publicly published spending data after mistakenly including personal names. However, the council has decided not to report the incident...

Developer seeks changes to agreed community facilities in Wixams

A new planning application has been submitted that seeks revisions to the agreed community and leisure facilities planned for the Wixams settlement. The application aims to formally...

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