Cllr Graeme Coombes tagged articles

Plans for new Wixams care home refused over parking and traffic concerns

Plans for a 65-bed care home in Wixams have been refused over concerns about insufficient parking and traffic. Despite planning officers recommending the committee to grant full planning...

Lib Dems accused of contradictions on CIPFA report validity as Bedford Borough council faces finance scrutiny

A bombshell independent finance review has sparked a political blame game as Bedford Borough Councillors clash over the actual state of the authority’s finances and the credibility...

New Wixams facilities approved nine months after original rejection

Plans to reshape community and leisure facilities in Wixams have been approved, following months of public consultation and debate over how the fast-growing settlement should be served...

Councillor refuses NHS maternity report over “woke” term

A Bedford borough councillor has refused to accept an NHS report over the use of the term “birthing people”. An update on improvements made in maternity services at Bedford Hospital...

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...

Cllr Graeme Coombes

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