Cllr Jonathan Abbott tagged articles

A “slap in the face” for local democracy as new homes in Milton Ernest given green light

A councillor has said the approval of 25 new homes in Milton Ernest is a “slap in the face” for local democracy after the Parish Council objected to the plans. Monday’s Planning Committee...

Councillors “minded to approve” Wixams home-based hair salon

A Wixams home-based hair salon moved a step forward to obtaining planning permission after councillors said they are “minded to approve”. Last night (Monday, 12 August) Bedford Borough...

Decision if home-based salon in Wixams can stay is deferred

A decision to decide a retrospective planning application for a Wixams home-based hair salon has been deferred by borough councillors. And the chair of Bedford Borough...

Councillors voice disappointment at police “no show” at town centre meeting

Bedford borough councillors have expressed their “disappointment” that Bedfordshire Police didn’t attend a meeting on town centre issues. But the police said “other demands” meant that community officers...

“General skullduggery” alleged over Turvey neighbourhood plan

A parish council has “evidence of bullying, coercion and general skulduggery” during the vote for Turvey’s Neighbourhood Development Plan, a meeting heard. The claim was made during...

Number of overturned planning decisions in Borough is well below government threshold

The quality of Bedford Borough Council’s planning decisions means that it is “well below” the government’s maximum limit for underperformance, a meeting heard...

Free town centre parking could impact rural bus services, says councillor

Bedford’s four-hour free parking trial could have taken people off the buses – but the £2 fare cap has seen an increase in passengers, a meeting heard. A report presented to Thursday’s Environment...

Environmental charities and councillors “appalled” at plans for disused quarry

Filling in a disused quarry is “ecological vandalism”, a Bedford borough councillor has said. Plans to build temporary facilities as part of the restoration of Elstow South Quarry were discussed...

Anger as mayor scraps committee that he says “didn’t do a lot”

When asked why he had scrapped Bedford Borough Council’s Rural Affairs Committee, Bedford’s mayor said it was a meeting that “floated about and didn’t do a lot”. The Rural Affairs Committee...

Criticism from Borough councillors blamed for lack of permanent Bedford care staff

A Lib Dem borough councillor claimed the use of agency staff was a consequence of new recruits being put off by possible public criticism from Conservative members. Councillor Jonathan...

Cllr Jonathan Abbott

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