9 November 2026

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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.

Council aims to attract more social workers to prevent families “losing faith in the service”

Some children in Bedford borough’s safeguarding system have had close to 10 different social workers over the past two years, a council report has revealed. The finding appears in a...

Convenience store argues stronger alcohol sales would make them “more inclusive”

A Bedford convenience store seeking permission to sell stronger alcohol told councillors the move would make the business “more inclusive”. PD Express Food and Wine, at 28 Commercial Road...

Borough councillors say Special Area Charges call in to clarify decision

Labour councillors say their decision to send the mayor’s Special Area Charges decision back for reconsideration was not intended to lead to increased council tax charges for residents in Kempston West...

Borough temporary accommodation overspend reduced by £3.5 million in 12 months

Bedford Borough Council has reduced its forecast overspend on temporary accommodation by £3.6 million in a single year, councillors have heard. A progress report to the Budget and Corporate...

David Lloyd handed 999-year lease for former Oasis Beach Pool

Bedford Borough Council has agreed a 999-year lease of the former Oasis Beach Pool site to David Lloyd Leisure, paving the way for a private health and racquets club, new community access agreements...

Anger over Bedford’s evening parking grows while councillor defends controversial charges

Bedford Borough Council has defended new evening and overnight parking charges at River Street, Lurke Street and other town centre car parks, saying they are needed in a “serious financial situation”...

Unregistered homes costing £11,800 a week as foster carer shortage continues across Bedford Borough

Bedford Borough Council is spending up to £11,800 a week on unregistered homes as a foster carer shortage continues. Children in Bedford Borough are being placed in unregistered...

Bedford Borough open space charges returned to mayor for rethink over Council Tax transparency

A mayoral decision changing how Bedford Borough Council allocates Special Area Charges, which affect council tax bills in different parts of the borough, has been sent...

Biddenham locals raise flooding concerns after construction drainage issues

Biddenham residents living next to a new housing development off Bromham Road say they are still concerned about future flood risk, months after first raising concerns about water...

Mayor accused of “gaslighting” Bedfordians over green waste collection charges

Bedford Borough's elected Conservative mayor has been accused of gaslighting the electorate over proposed charges for green waste collection. When questioned on the policy, the mayor...