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.

External firm appointed to aid with the “transformation” of adult social care

An external consultancy firm has been appointed to support Bedford Borough Council’s transformation of adult social care, a meeting heard. The company, Newton, will work with the council...

Retrospective planning permission for unregistered care home in Wootton refused

A retrospective planning application for an unregistered care home in Wootton has been refused by Bedford Borough Council’s Planning Committee, following concerns about legality...

Planning application for 95 new homes in Wilstead deferred again

A decision for a Wilstead planning application has been deferred again. The plans to build up to 95 new homes returned to Bedford Borough Council’s Planning Committee...

Mayor and executive miss key scrutiny meeting to attend dinner with MP

Concerns over transparency and leadership at Bedford Borough Council have intensified after it was revealed that the Mayor and all Conservative Executive Members failed to attend a key...

Apparent drop in temporary accommodation numbers a “data issue” amidst claims of poor customer service

A reported drop in the number of Bedford borough households in temporary accommodation was the result of data errors, as charity 'Just Us' accuse housing officers of bad behaviour...

Mayor defends cancelled meeting as concerns grow over how council overspend will be tackled

Concerns have been raised over how Bedford Borough Council will balance its budget after the mayor cancelled this month’s executive meeting, which could have looked at recouping...

Monthly column: Balancing nature and growth: Planning reform to get Britain building

Britain’s outdated planning system has long delayed the homes we need, stalled infrastructure projects, and held back economic growth. The Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which will...

Council staff told to return to the office three days a week as mayor cancels ‘thin agenda’ meeting

Bedford Borough Council staff will now be expected to work from the office at least three days a week, as part of a shift in workplace policy announced tonight by Mayor Tom Wootton...

Mayor reflects on “incredible” first two years leading Bedford Borough Council

In an interview with the LDRS, Bedford Borough mayor Tom Wootton has described his first two years in office as “incredible”. Reflecting on the demanding nature of the role...

Monthly column: Misogynistic crime is wrong

In this month’s column, Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner, John Tizard, writes about how he is driving system change and long-term prevention to stop violence against women...