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9 November 2026
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Mayor Tom Wootton

Terraced houses

Bedford Borough Council faces questions over £5.9m housing fund plans

Bedford Borough Council has not clarified how a £5.9 million housing grant,  which government guidance says forms part of a wider programme that includes Afghan resettlement, will be...
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Cllr Henry Vann standing in Bedford Park, You can see parts of the Pavilion coffee shop behind him. Image: Bedford Liberal Democrats

Monthly column: A little humour mixed with hard reality

April Fool’s Day saw amusing stories, including one which said that Bedford Park was due to be covered by an O2-style canopy! However, the contrast between light-hearted April...
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Mayor Tom Wootton standing along Bedfords Embankment with the town bridge in the background

Monthly column: Keeping focus in challenging times while recognising how far we’ve come

At a time when Bedford Borough is facing intense financial and political scrutiny, it’s more important than ever that residents hear an honest message: yes, the challenges are real...
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Dancebox students. Image: Dancebox Studios via Bedford Borough Council

Dancebox town centre plans welcomed but concerns raised over library move

New reaction has emerged to plans for Dancebox to move into Bedford town centre, with mayor Tom Wootton welcoming the deal and cllr Bywater raising the library’s future...
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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

Dancebox set to take over part of former Beales building in Bedford Town Centre

Dancebox Studios & Theatre Works Ltd is set to take over part of Bedford’s former Beales building under council plans approved this week. An executive decision signed by the mayor...
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Welcome to Wixams road sign Image Bedford Independent

Wixams health centre approved with £7m funding and locals invited to view plans

A new Wixams health centre has been approved with £7m NHS funding, with residents set to view and comment on plans at engagement events in April. The funding was announced...
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Mayor Tom Wootton outside the former Debenhams building. Image: Bedford Borough Council

Report reveals risk behind Bedford mayor’s £2.2m acquisition of former Debenhams building

Bedford’s mayor approved a £1.8m purchase of the former Debenhams building with no guarantee that the investment will succeed, according to a report. And the total...
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Bedford's Town Centre Task Force with representatives from Bedfordshire Police and Bedford Borough Council. Image: Bedford Borough Council.

Council and police create new team to improve safety in Bedford town centre

Bedford Borough Council and Bedfordshire Police have launched a new Town Centre Task Force to tackle anti-social behaviour and improve safety. The initiative was formally...
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A car passes through a pedestrian crossing on Manton Lane while the green man is still visible due to traffic light phasing issues. Image: Screenshot from video provided by Siobhán Woolmer-Brennan

Mayor orders urgent review after video shows child nearly hit at Manton Lane crossing

Bedford’s mayor has ordered an urgent review of traffic lights on Manton Lane after video footage showed a parent and child nearly being hit while crossing. The danger of crossing...
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The Bedford River Festival Main Stage in Russell Park. Image: Pad Presents

Why Bedford is brilliant: Local voices on why our Borough deserves national recognition

Local voices from business, culture and community groups explain why Bedford deserves its place on The Sunday Times list of the best places to live in the East of England...
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