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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.

Kempston health centre plans remain dependent on funding despite years of work

Plans for a new Kempston health centre remain dependent on funding despite years of preparatory work, with NHS leaders warning current capital funding falls well short of the scheme’s estimated cost...

More than half of Bedford’s rough sleepers spending over 10 nights on the streets

A Bedford Borough Council report has revealed an increase in long-term rough sleeping, with more than half of rough sleepers now spending more than 10 nights on the streets...

Nine in 10 households seeking help from Bedford council are already homeless

A Bedford Borough Council report reveals that 92% of households seeking housing assistance are already homeless by the time they first contact the authority. A briefing for the Housing Committee...

Home Office urged to help as Yarl’s Wood cases increase demand on children’s services

Bedford Borough Council has raised concerns with the Home Office over the impact of referrals linked to people detained at Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre whose...

Ofsted identifies “strengths” in Borough Council’s children’s services

Ofsted has identified strengths in Bedford Borough Council’s work helping children in care achieve stable, long-term homes while highlighting areas where further improvement is needed...

Retrospective planning bid for relocated Bedford town centre sculpture

Bedford Borough Council has submitted a retrospective planning application after relocating a town centre sculpture from Harpur Square to St Paul’s Square as part of regeneration works...

Bedfordshire pension fund exposed to assets affected by Middle East conflict

An investigation has found Bedfordshire Pension Fund has exposure to investment funds holding assets affected by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, raising questions about long-term risk...

Councillors approve Bedford gaming centre after finding concerns were ‘real and credible’

A Bedford Borough Council licensing panel approved a new 24-hour gaming centre in Silver Street despite describing concerns about crime, disorder and vulnerable people as “real and credible”...

Mid Bedfordshire MP says he was not invited to Universal resort announcement

Mid Bedfordshire MP Blake Stephenson has questioned why he was not invited to a government announcement marking the next stage of the planned Universal United Kingdom Resort development...

Bedford council cuts agency social worker numbers as permanent workforce grows

New figures show Bedford Borough Council reduced the number of agency social workers in children’s services from 50 to 31 in a year, while permanent staffing increased...

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