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15 October 2026
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Laura Church

Councillors gather in council chambers for the extraordinary full council meeting to debate and vote on a motion to hold a referendum on the position of Mayor of Bedford Borough, 16 September 2026. Image: Bedford Independent screenshot of Bedford Borough Council webcast.

‘Combative’ Bedford Borough Council slammed for ignoring reports of bullying and misogyny

Unelected government commissioners are set to take over Bedford Borough Council to tackle a toxic workplace culture, with a damning report revealing unchecked bullying and low staff morale...
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Bedford Borough Hall Bedford Borough council signage and entrance

Damning inspection reveals bullying and leadership collapse at Bedford Borough Council

The government is sending in commissioners to oversee Bedford Borough Council for up to three years after an inspection revealed severe leadership failures, misogyny and financial...
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On 19 August 2026, tourism minister, Stephanie Peacock attend a roundtable with local authorities, MPs and stakeholders to discuss the opportunities arising from Universal's planned theme park and resort in Bedford. Image: DCMS

Bedford hosts cross-party summit to discuss Universal UK resort growth

Ministers, MPs, and leaders from eight councils gathered at The Swan Hotel in Bedford to coordinate plans, jobs, and infrastructure upgrades for the landmark Universal UK theme park proposal...
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Piggybank savings money cash finance Image: Braňo/Unsplash

Bedford council confident of £18.6m savings despite ‘significant risks’

Bedford Borough Council says it is confident it will deliver £18.6m of savings this year despite a £1.8m gap, delays and significant risks highlighted in a committee report...
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Bedford Borough Hall Bedford Borough council signage and entrance

Bedford Borough Council chief executive salary band up to eight times higher than lowest pay

Bedford Borough Council’s proposed pay policy shows the chief executive salary band reaching £208,118, around eight times higher than the authority’s lowest salary level...
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Shop retail sales

New report says Universal Studios, Luton Airport expansion and new homes to create Bedford’s “best decade”

Bedford town centre could benefit from major schemes and new homes, a new report claims, but the findings raise questions about assumptions and impact. Tellon Capital, which owns...
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Mayor Tom Wootton was elected in 2023. Image: Bedford Borough Council.

Bedford Borough mayor calls for CEO’s resignation over “systemic mismanagement” at council

Bedford mayor Tom Wootton has blamed “systemic mismanagement” within the council after ministers ordered a Best Value inspection amid financial and governance concerns...
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Beales is now half clean after Panther Plc cleaned the part they own, but the council has yet to complete the job on the side they're responsible for. Image: Bedford Independent

Bedford Ian writes…

23 January 2026: Half clean, Monsieur Mangetout, Distressing times, and Blues superstition. Bedford Ian has been looking at recent goings on across Bedford Borough and tells us what he thinks...
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Biddenham School Year 12 students, the Ready2Lead? winners 2025, with (l) Laura Church, CEO of Bedford Borough Council and (r) HM LL Susan Lousada.

Year 12s shine at Ready2Lead? as Biddenham’s PCOS project wins top prize

Around 100 Year 12 students from across Bedford Borough pitched community projects at Bedford School’s Ready2Lead? event, with Biddenham’s PCOS Project taking the top spot and two schools...
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Bedford Borough Hall Bedford Borough council signage and entrance

Bedford joins £2.4m jobs scheme and signs new civic agreement with university

Bedford Borough Council has joined a £2.4m DWP programme to help residents into work and signed a new civic agreement with the University of Bedfordshire to boost education...
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