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9 November 2026
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Mayor Tom Wootton

Bedford's elected mayor, Tom Wotton, pictured by Riverside Square

Mayor of Bedford charity committee chooses four beneficiaries of annual fundraising efforts

Four local charities have been selected to benefit from Bedford Borough’s Mayor’s Charity fundraising during 2025/26. The charity was started in 2005 by the then mayor, Frank Branson...
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Construction site, Crane, Construction machinery development building planning Image Jürgen Rübig Pixabay

Letters: ‘Planning applications will be hard to refuse’ says CPRE as Local Plan is withdrawn

CPRE Bedfordshire notes with concern the Mayor's article in Bedford Independent about the expected withdrawal of Bedford Borough's Local Plan 2040. On the basis of the...
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Mayor Tom Wootton's Universal mug with the list of locations for Universal Theme Parks around the world. Image: Bedford Independent

Mayor proposes ‘Universal Day’ to mark theme park plans

A special day to mark the arrival of Universal Studios in Bedford Borough could become a new annual tradition, under proposals due to be debated by councillors next week...
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Baron Way. Image: National Highways

New road opens in Bedfordshire as part of £1bn Black Cat upgrade

A new road linking Roxton Road and The Lane in Wyboston has officially opened, marking a key milestone in National Highways’ £1 billion upgrade to the Black Cat roundabout and surrounding...
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Local Plan 2040 cover Image Bedford Borough Council

Lib Dems accuse mayor of keeping ‘secret list’ of land for development under new Local Plan

A senior Liberal Democrat councillor has accused the Mayor of Bedford Borough of hiding a “secret list” of land earmarked for potential housing development, including parks...
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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

Bedford Borough Council to ditch 2040 plan and create new strategy for Universal era

Bedford Borough Council is expected to begin work on a new Local Plan, following advice from the Planning Inspectorate that the arrival of Universal Destinations & Experiences...
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Bedford Borough Hall Bedford Borough council signage and entrance

Mayor and executive miss key scrutiny meeting to attend dinner with MP

Concerns over transparency and leadership at Bedford Borough Council have intensified after it was revealed that the Mayor and all Conservative Executive Members failed to attend a key...
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Swimmer Maggie Cotter receives her GSF Certificate from Tom Wootton The Major of Bedford Borough Council (left) and GLL Chief Executive Peter Bundey (right)

62-year old transplant recipient among winners of GLL Sport Foundation grant

Twenty-eight athletes from across Bedford have been awarded a share of £18,900 in the latest awarding of GLL's Sport Foundation grants, including 62-year old swimmer, Maggie Cotter...
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Bedford Borough Hall Bedford Borough council signage and entrance

Mayor defends cancelled meeting as concerns grow over how council overspend will be tackled

Concerns have been raised over how Bedford Borough Council will balance its budget after the mayor cancelled this month’s executive meeting, which could have looked at recouping...
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Construction taking plane on the new EWR line Image EWR Co

Chancellor confirms £2.5bn for EWR but Bedford leaders call for rethink

The government has confirmed £2.5 billion in funding for the next phase of East West Rail (EWR), but the news has sparked sharply differing reactions from across Bedford. Announced as...
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