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28 August 2026
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Cllr Graeme Coombes

Borough Hall car park. Image: Bedford Independent

Bedford Ian writes…

2 April 2026: Pothole-free paradise, Responsible reporting, Rabbit responsibility, Selective outrage, and Tiny tennis. Bedford Ian has been looking at recent goings on across Bedford Borough...
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Approximate site boundary of three drive-through cafés and a major employment development near Kempston. Image: Google My Maps Map Data (C)2025 Imagery (C)2025 Airbus, Maxar Technologies via LDRS.

Plans for drive-through cafés near Kempston withdrawn after Environment Agency objection

Plans for drive-through cafés and an employment development near Kempston have been withdrawn after the Environment Agency said the site lies within a functional floodplain...
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Doctor and Patient in a consulting room at a GP surgery. Image: Stephen Barnes Shutterstock

Major funding boost for GP surgeries in Great Barford and Wixams

Bedford Borough Council has announced a major funding boost from NHS England for new GP surgeries in Great Barford and Wixams. Tom Wootton (Conservative), mayor of Bedford Borough...
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Cllr Graeme Coombes Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service

Senior councillor praises Bedford Independent reporting accuracy amid row over Government financial support

A council row breaks out over the meaning of Exceptional Financial Support, as the Conservative leader says the Bedford Independent was the only outlet to report it accurately...
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Mayor Tom Wootton outside the former Debenhams building. Image: Bedford Borough Council

Bedford Borough councillors launch two more petitions calling for mayor’s resignation

After Bedford's Liberal Democrats launched a petition on Friday (13 February) calling for the resignation of Bedford's elected mayor, Tom Wootton (Conservative), two further 'parallel'...
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Welcome to Wixams road sign Image Bedford Independent

Update given on Wixams GP surgery as £5.5 million allocated to project

Bedford Borough councillors pressed for reassurance of a long-delayed GP surgery in Wixams after the council approved £5.5 million in funding, subject to NHS commitments...
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Cllr Abu Sultan pictured alongside the River Great Ouse in Bedford.

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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Bedford Borough Hall Bedford Borough council signage and entrance

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...
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(l-r) Cllr Coombes, Mayor Wootton, Cllr Spice and Cllr Frost all in bright orange hi-vis clothing and hard hats at the site of the new Wixams station. Cllr Slice is holding a shovel and they're standing next to a sign that says 'Wixams'. There are diggers in the background moving earth. Image: Bedford Independent

Wixams station delay could cost council £32million

Bedford Borough Council faces a forecast £32.1 million bill after halting construction of Wixams Station, with final costs still unknown and no reimbursement expected from central government...
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The foreboding entrance to Oasis Pool isn't inviting.

Decision on future of Oasis Beach Pool due this month

Bedford Borough Council is preparing to take an Executive decision later this month on the future of the former Oasis swimming pool site. Last week’s Environment and Sustainable Communities Overview...
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