Politics

All the latest Political and politics news from across Bedford Borough. Everything you need to keep you up to date with what’s happening in Bedford Borough on your mobile or desktop via the Bedford Independent.

The Bedford Independent was founded to provide the people of Bedford Borough with a modern news desk that would give them easy access to genuine and unbiased Bedford news. We are independent in ownership and opinion.

Our mission is to inform and inspire the people of Bedford. To do this we will work hard to bring them the news that matters to them from our town centre to the most rural of the Borough’s villages.

Our editorial team are NCTJ trained and follows a standards code set out by the independent press regulator IMPRESS Standards.

Bedford council tax rises approved with budget only balanced by Government support

Bedford Borough Council has approved a 4.99% council tax increase for 2026/27, raising £133.5m locally as the budget relies on Government Exceptional Financial Support...

New committee will oversee council’s Improvement Plan and savings programme

Bedford Borough Council is set to establish a new committee to oversee the delivery of its Improvement Plan and savings programme. The Finance and Improvement Committee will hold its first...

Councillor warns retrospective planning must not reward non-compliance as Kempston car dealership rejected

Bedford Borough Council has refused retrospective planning permission for a used car dealership operating from a former commercial unit in Kempston, after councillors said the access...

Council plan to save up to £60million on adult services costs over next four years

Bedford Borough Council is pursuing a transformation programme in Adult Services that could generate between £42 million and £60 million in savings over four years, councillors were...

Kempston MOT centre plans rejected after local objections

Borough councillors have refused plans to turn a former car sales site in Park Road, Kempston, into an MOT centre after residents warned it would worsen congestion and harm the character...

Crowe Road rising service charge concerns residents

Residents on the Crowe Road estate in Queens Park say they feel their concerns about rising service charges have been given national attention after the issue was raised in Parliament. The Crowe Road...

Removal of Bedford’s mayor could cost taxpayers an estimated £350,000

Removing Bedford’s mayor from office would cost local taxpayers an estimated £350,000, according to Bedford Borough Council, as opposition groups step up pressure on Tom Wootton to resign...

Planning for 93 homes in Bromham submitted for third time in nine years

Plans for up to 93 homes on land north of Lower Farm Road in Bromham have been resubmitted to Bedford Borough Council. The outline application, submitted on behalf of Kler Group...

Breaking news: Government confirms £80m emergency support for Bedford Borough Council

Bedford Borough Council has been granted £80 million in Exceptional Financial Support across two years, with £22m for 2025/26 and £58m for 2026/27, as government confirms emergency financial backing...

Council launches public consultation on Housing Allocations Scheme

Bedford Borough Council has launched a public consultation on proposed changes to the borough’s Housing Allocations Scheme, which sets out how applicants are assessed and...

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