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.

Opinion: Mr mayor, a Best Value inspection is embarrassing and the buck also stops with you

Bedford Borough Council faces a Best Value inspection and the Mayor says it's “welcome support”, calling for the chief executive to resign. Bedford needs less blame and more leadership...

Monthly column: Bedfordshire’s vital agricultural land must be protected 

The importance of food security and the protection of our rural communities must not be underestimated. That’s why I was so keen to speak in my neighbouring MP, Richard Fuller’s, debate in Parliament...

What is a “best value” inspection – and why does it matter to Bedford?

A Best Value inspection is one of the most serious forms of government intervention in local government, and it's about to be carried out on Bedford Borough Council. Ordered by ministers under...

What happens if a council “goes bust”? Section 114 explained as Bedford faces financial pressure

Councils can’t technically go bankrupt, but they can issue a Section 114 notice. This guide explains what it is, what happens next, and what it could mean for services, council tax and local decision-making...

Bedford Borough mayor calls for CEO’s resignation over “systemic mismanagement” at council

Bedford mayor Tom Wootton has blamed “systemic mismanagement” within the council after ministers ordered a Best Value inspection amid financial and governance concerns...

Breaking news: Government inspectors to examine Bedford Borough Council as financial pressures continue

Bedford Borough Council will undergo a three-month best value inspection by a government inspector and two assistants as the authority continues to tackle its financial challenges...

Permission for HMO denied by Bedford Borough Council after retrospective application

Bedford Borough Council has refused retrospective planning permission for the change of use of a Bedford house from a dwelling to a house in multiple occupation (HMO)...

Podington plans prevented by Bedford Borough Council

Bedford Borough Council has refused plans for up to nine new homes on brownfield land in a north Bedfordshire village. The application (25/02558/PIP) sought approval for between five and...

Monthly column: AI in policing – making a difference; being ethical

Technology, including AI, is increasingly used in every aspect of our daily lives, and businesses and public services are no exception. AI has an important contribution to make in preventing crime...

Labour group rejects “fence sitting” accusation after abstaining from budget vote

Labour’s decision to abstain from a vote over Bedford Borough Council’s defeated budget has sparked a debate over whether it was ‘sitting on the fence’. The budget, proposed by the...

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