Picture of Local Democracy Reporter

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.

Mayor rejects calls to sell former Debenhams building costing taxpayers £450,000 each year

Bedford Borough Council will wait until the end of the year to see if a development partner comes forward for the vacant Debenhams building, despite pressure to sell and cut costs...

Borough Council criticised over response times that led to lengthy legal process

A Kempston resident has accused Bedford Borough Council of wasting more than a year of her time. Delays in dealing with a land query led to the withdrawal of an offer to buy the plot and forced her...

Bedford Borough’s Local Plan 2040 has “no credible future” in light of Universal plans

Bedford Borough Council has voted to withdraw its Local Plan 2040, following a warning from the government’s Planning Inspector that the plan has “no credible future” in light of the proposed...

Bedford Borough Council faces £13.6m overspend with £58.6m funding gap expected by 2030

Bedford Borough Council is facing what councillors have described as a “deepening financial emergency”, with reports presented this week revealing both a £13.6 million overspend this year...

“Deeply unpalatable” changes to council tax support scheme proposed in Central Bedfordshire

Potential cuts to council tax support for working-age claimants in Central Bedfordshire are “beyond damaging for the poorest people”, a meeting heard. Under the current scheme, 9,371 households...

Scheme allowing councillors to support Bedford community projects to be scrapped

Bedford Borough Council has scrapped a scheme that allowed councillors to support community projects with immediate effect, citing financial pressures. The Member Ward Fund scheme, which gives...

Senior councillor and officer say £26million loan was key to Rivertree Free School’s rapid delivery

A “bold decision” to borrow £26 million up front and build on work begun under the previous administration meant Rivertree Special School opened years earlier and avoided spiralling costs, according...

Mayor pauses four-hour free parking scheme amid Bedford Borough Council financial pressures

The four-hour free parking scheme at two of Bedford town centre’s main multi-storey car parks will be suspended next month as Bedford Borough Council responds to rising costs and reduced government...

Bedfordshire PCC’s Stop and Search Charter does little to tackle racial disproportionality say campaigners

Bedfordshire’s police and crime commissioner’s  (PCC) new Stop and Search Charter has drawn criticism from campaigners who say it does little to address existing disproportionality...

Locals raise concerns over Biddenham development drainage

People in Biddenham, living next to a Cala Homes development on Bromham Road, say drainage plans linked to the development’s planning conditions were signed off despite evidence...

Get the latest Bedford news first

Subscribe to our free daily email for our lead story each morning before we publish it anywhere else, plus the key Bedford Borough headlines from the last 24 hours – without having to log into social media.