7 March 2025
Bedford Ian has been looking at recent goings on across Bedford Borough and has told us what he thinks of it all.
Democracy denied
I’ve seen a lot of things in Bedford over the years, but even I have to admit, this latest move from Bedford Borough Council is something special.
It turns out the position of Bedford Borough’s elected mayor is about to get more power if changes to the Bedford Borough Council constitution proposed by the General Purposes Committee are agreed upon.
This will make it easier for the mayor (whoever they may be now or in the future) to make decisions with even less interference.
Democracy? Never heard of it.
Read: Changes to Bedford Borough Council constitution will give mayor more power
Now, I know what you’re thinking, “Surely there will still be some way to hold the Mayor accountable?”
Well, technically, councillors can still ‘call in’ the mayor’s decisions to the Executive for scrutiny, but let’s not forget the Executive is hand-picked by the mayor, and they will have the final decision anyway, even if one or two senior councillors are brave enough to disagree.
So, no real scrutiny, no chance for all councillors to have a say on how an Executive (even one with a tiny majority in actual votes from Bedfordians) runs the place, and no real power for the scrutiny committees that make sure there isn’t something dodgy going on.
But that’s ok, I mean it’s not like pressure and scrutiny haven’t helped overturn decisions in the past, like when the Mayor did a complete U-turn on his River Festival upheaval, or when he mistakenly charged us all for free Sunday parking.
These proposed constitutional changes are only based on advice. So, the Council, if they really, really wanted to, could choose to ignore them, giving all councillors and those they represent a chance to help collectively shape our Borough together as we have done for over 20 years.
But, with Bedford’s leader of the Conservative Group’s comment that they’re just following what Tony Blair implemented when he created elected mayors, I think we can guess that at least some councillors really, really don’t want to.
For our younger readers, Tony Blair was the last Prime Minister in 2007, and he first pushed for proposed elected mayors in the 1990s.
Bedford Borough then had an elected mayor after a successful campaign by Frank Branston in 2002, who became the borough’s first.
Read: How the mayors of Bedford Borough have left their mark
So, Bedfordians, here’s the deal. The Mayor gains more power, and we get the privilege of watching from the sidelines. If we don’t like it? Well, we can always ‘call them in.’ Not that it’ll make a blind bit of difference.
Just as an aside, and completely unrelated to all this, if you want to register so you can vote in the next mayoral and council elections, then you can do so here.
Update: This column was updated at 11:20 on 9 March 2025 to clarify an error concerning the proposed changes to Bedford Borough Council’s constitution. The mayor is not proposing the changes to the constitution, but instead, this is a recommendation by the council’s General Purposes Committee. We are happy to make this clarification.
Everyday heroes
I’m a great believer in giving credit where it’s due and it’s only right to offer Cllr Spice (Conservative, Wixams and Wilstead) a high five after she rightly pointed out that it’s up to all of us to make Bedford Borough a brilliant place to live, work and play.
As the portfolio holder for economic growth, planning and prosperity she’s in charge of, well, economic growth, planning and prosperity for the Borough.
Giving an update on the council’s Town Centres Vision and Capital Delivery Programme this week, she said that whether we use local businesses, put our rubbish in the bin, or even just have a walk around, what we do impacts our town centres and the feel of them.
“Whether it’s council officers, [council] members, residents, businesses, even visitors, we all have a part, we all have an impact,” she said.
Read: Councillor says we all have a part to play in improving Bedford Borough’s town centres
And my Bedford Independent colleagues and I couldn’t agree more. That’s why I commented earlier this year that we must put up with roadworks if we want the town centre to look nicer, and I’ll always bang the ‘use it or lose it’ drum for local businesses and venues.
It’s why the Bedford Independent, in partnership with the Harpur Trust, get together every year with a whole host of businesses and organisations from across the area to celebrate those who make Bedford Borough Brilliant through the Everyday Heroes Awards.
So, if you think someone has been doing something exceptional for our little patch of Bedfordshire, please show your appreciation and nominate them for an award. it will only take a few minutes but it’ll make sure we’re all aware of how bloody brilliant they are.
Nominate here – all nominations must be received by midnight on 16 March 2025
Wonky fence
It can’t have escaped the notice of anyone walking or driving along Bromham Road that the fence panels outside the (fairly) recently renovated flats opposite The Ship have been ‘on the wonk’ for several years.
So long, in fact, that they seem to have developed their own eco-system of moss, rotting vegetation and some branches poking their way through.
It can be hard to have pride of place in where we live when such a simple repair has been left unchecked for so long.
It’s an eyesore for those living in the flats, owners of the thriving businesses opposite (shout out to Kay’s Pharmacy and the best chippy in Bedford – Golden Chicken Barbecue) and passersby alike.
So, if you’re responsible for this and you’re reading this, please do Bedford a favour and sort it out and restore some pride in this little corner of B-Town or Cllr Spice and I might start having words.
Miamian Vice
After years of wondering if I had family overseas, Bedford Independent reader Daniel Churchill has sent in proof that my long-lost cousin is alive and well and living in Miami.
Miamian and I may be separated by an ocean and vastly different climates, but I am overjoyed at this news.
I’ve always suspected I had family in Florida. Miamian has the sun, the beaches, and the glamour, while I have… the Embankment and a less-than-reliable bus service. But family is family.
Miamian is known for a laid-back attitude and a love of all things tropical but has promised to visit Bedford soon. Although the lack of palm trees may be a sticking point, we’ll just pretend the ones at Pen & Cobb are real.
Reh-al roast
Eagle-eyed shoppers will have noticed, Real Coffee, a new coffee shop getting ready to open on the high street in the last week.
“Odd name for a business,” I thought. “Why would anyone want fake coffee?”
The power of a brand name is a strong one and with the ‘Reh-al’ pronounced the way our Spanish friends like to say it, it’s clear this coffee shop (along with its livery) is connected to a local football team under the same brand.
We look forward to being treated to ‘real’ flat whites, fit for a King.
With the ‘Real’ brand expanding, what could be next? Real Rose ’til Close, Real Corn Exchange, Real Embankment, Real Bedford Tow… hang on, let’s not go too far.
Take a break
I took my chances on finding a parking space at Bedford Hospital last week and spotted this set-up behind one of the buildings on Brittania Road.
I can’t help thinking that the Sir Captain Tom Moore Memorial Picnic Area and Chill Out Zone could do with a bit of TLC.
See you soon, Bedford Ian.
PS: If you see anything Bedford Ian might find amusing, let us know at news@BedfordIndependent.co.uk.
