Cllr Graeme Coombes tagged articles

Parties abstain from government’s controversial disability benefit cuts vote

Bedford Borough’s Labour and Conservative Groups abstained on a motion urging the government to rethink its proposed disability benefit cuts. Green councillor Lucy Bywater...

Damaged water treatment system at fault for serious incident at Bedford Renal Unit

A serious incident at the Bedford Renal Unit in February 2024 led to 69 dialysis patients developing anaemia, and 30 required blood transfusions – prompting the unit’s temporary closure...

Mayor brings in former council crisis chief to help Bedford Borough face funding challenges

Bedford Borough’s elected mayor, Tom Wootton, has brought in local government specialist Theresa Grant OBE to help review the council’s finances, as pressure mounts...

Councillors urged to talk with government over “deeply concerning” proposed constitutional change

Bedford borough councillors have been urged to raise concerns with the government over what they describe as a democratic weakness in the law, as the council updates its constitution...

Councillors warned only “70 per cent chance” of recouping all Cleat Hill costs

Councillors warned that the process to recover the costs following the Cleat Hill incident could take time, particularly if third-party claims are involved. And there’s only an up to “70 per cent chance” of recovering all the costs...

Changes to Bedford Borough Council constitution will give mayor more power

Bedford Borough Council is changing its constitution to align with legal advice that says a mayoral decision cannot be overruled at a Full Council meeting – even if a majority of councillors...

Capital programme debate delayed until January following full council impasse

Approval for Bedford borough’s Conservative administration’s capital programme – which included education, transport and leisure plans – has been delayed following...

Bedford Mayor shakes up cabinet and appoints independent councillor to executive

Bedford Borough Council’s Executive has a new look and a new Independent Councillor, after its portfolio holder for finance, councillor Graeme Coombes, stepped aside due to work...

Councillors clash over value of bus budget cut that isn’t even going to happen

A political row has erupted over a proposed council budget cut to support bus services, with conflicting interpretations of the financial implications of a £300,000...

Bedford Borough Libs Dems question cuts to school crossing patrols

Bedford borough Lib Dems have said school crossing patrols are “under threat” due to a proposed cut in funding. But the Conservative administration said the proposal is to cease crossing...

Cllr Graeme Coombes

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