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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.

New ‘Bedford Gateway’ employment development in the works near Wyboston

An employment development near Wyboston is being drawn up by Prologis UK, who have asked Bedford Borough Council for a scoping opinion. This is a formal step that helps what...

Council to return over £460,000 in unclaimed government grant funding

Bedford Borough Council will have to return over £460,000 to the government due to unclaimed grant funding. Last week’s Rural Affairs Committee (April 3) heard that the council...

Conservatives and Lib Dems row over empty building blame

Bedford Borough Council has surrendered the lease on an empty Bedford property to save “over £600,000” in costs. The Conservative administration claims this lease was a “textbook case of political incompetence” by the former...

“Insufficient detail” in Deputy Prime Minister’s letter on planning reform, say Council

Bedford Borough Council has said the deputy prime minister’s letter to English local authority leaders and metro mayors about planning reform has "insufficient detail". In March, Angela Rayner...

Bedfordshire Police to be one of the first to pilot Raneem’s Law

Bedfordshire Police is one of the first five forces to pilot Raneem’s Law, a meeting heard. The initiative was established in memory of Raneem Oudeh and her mother Khaola Saleem, who were...

New pothole machine could transform road repairs in the Borough

A new pothole machine will give Bedford Borough Council a “great start”to repairing roads this spring and summer, a meeting heard. The Rural Affairs Committee (3 April) heard that the council will shortly be taking delivery of a...

PCC says police can’t deal with crime if people don’t come forward and report it

Bedfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) has stressed that it is vital to report crime. PCC John Tizard said Bedfordshire Police “can’t respond or deal with something...

Bedford Borough Council details SEND priorities following national focus on inclusion

Bedford Borough Council has detailed its current actions to improve inclusion, early intervention, and support for families and schools amid renewed national attention on special...

Police and Crime Plan report endorsed by scrutiny panel

A report on the Bedfordshire police and crime commissioner’s (PCC) Police and Crime Plan for the remainder of his term has been endorsed – but with little comment from a scrutiny...

Damaged water treatment system at fault for serious incident at Bedford Renal Unit

A serious incident at the Bedford Renal Unit in February 2024 led to 69 dialysis patients developing anaemia, and 30 required blood transfusions – prompting the unit’s temporary closure...

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