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9 November 2026
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Mayor Tom Wootton

Bedford Borough Hall Bedford Borough council signage and entrance

Bedford Borough mayor rejects “fire sale” claim as public assets approved for sale

Bedford borough’s mayor has rejected opposition claims of a “fire sale” of public assets after approving the sale of four council-owned commercial properties earlier this week...
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A calculator and cash in coins and notes.

Council executive approves improvement plan to tackle Borough’s financial pressures

Bedford Borough Council’s Executive has approved a wide-ranging plan aimed at overhauling how it operates as it struggles with growing financial pressures and a projected...
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Stack of pound coins on financial graphs and figures balance sheet Image Brian A Jackson Shutterstock

Calls for greater transparency with public as Mayor admits request for £55m government bailout

A Bedford councillor says the council is “downplaying” a £55m request for exceptional government financial support, as fresh questions are raised over transparency at Borough Hall...
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Bedford Borough Hall Bedford Borough council signage and entrance

Council tax decision reissued two days later after error found in report

Bedford Borough Council has reissued an executive decision on council tax just two days after approving it, after an error was found in the report supporting it. The original decision (1845)...
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Work to improve the fountain in Bedford Park. Image: Bedford Independent

Changes to green spaces charges could see some paying more council tax

Mayor Tom Wootton (Conservative) has approved changes to how council tax pays for green spaces and community centres – which could see some residents paying more while...
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A gritter lorry spreading salt on a road in the winter snow. Image: Dimension Photos/Shutterstock

Bedford MP says gritting is “falling short of expectations” as council insists crews are out day and night

Bedford and Kempston MP Mohammad Yasin has written to the Mayor raising concerns about reduced gritting and icy roads across Bedford Borough, as Bedford Borough Council...
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Flood Action Week stand in Harpur Square, Bedford October 2025 Image Bedford Borough Council

Free Flood Forum to help Bedfordians prepare for future flooding

Bedford Borough Council will host its 2026 Flood Forum on Thursday, 26 March 2026 at Great Denham Community Centre, helping residents learn about local flood risk, resilience measures...
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Mayor approves plans for Borough’s first Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) school

Bedford Borough’s mayor has approved plans to proceed towards buying the former St Joseph’s Lower School building to create the borough’s first dedicated Social, Emotional...
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Mayor Tom Wootton holds up a cut out of the UK, showing Bedford as the the location of the proposed new Universal Studios Theme Park. Image: Bedford Independent

Monthly column: Looking back at 2025 and forward to 2026

Despite significant financial pressures, we made real progress on a major regeneration project. The Bedford River Valley Park was approved late in 2025 through a Collaboration Agreement...
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Draft beer being poured into a pint glass.

Landlord who barred Tommy Robinson from popular Bedford pub hit by fake reviews

The Rose pub in Bedford has been hit by negative online reviews after landlord refused to serve far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, known as Tommy Robinson...
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