Bedfordshire

Bedford schools are reviewing their security procedures in the wake of a tragic shooting in Luton.

A renewed challenge has been made by Central Bedfordshire Council’s Labour group over what it sees as the Independent administration’s decision to withhold highways funding, rather than spending it on essential road repairs.

Nominations are now open for the Bedford Independent Everyday Heroes Awards 2025, in partnership with The Harpur Trust, celebrating the individuals who go above and beyond...

Almost a dozen suspected XL bullies were euthanised after being seized by Bedfordshire Police last year, new figures reveal.

Your weekly what’s on guide for Bedford and the surrounding area from The Bedford Clanger. Never miss a thing in Bedford ever again. From theatre to film, live music to art exhibitions, The Bedford...

Bedfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner and Chief Constable Trevor Rodenhurst have urged Central Bedfordshire Council to rethink their budget cut proposals as 10 safer neighbourhood officers would be lost if plans go ahead.

Nominations are now open for the Bedford Independent Everyday Heroes Awards 2024, in partnership with the Harpur Trust, celebrating the individuals and groups that make...

This month’s Great Bedfordian is fishmonger extraordinaire, Gary Hooper of GCH Fishmongers on Newnham Street. Gary started in retail in 1980 at Bejams in the bus station in Bedford, and in 1981 he went on to work at Safeway where he stayed for 23 years.  He has also mentored the next generation of fishmongers at […]

Bedford Women’s Centre, which supports women in the community to improve their quality of life and that of their families, may have to adjust its services after a police and crime commissioner (PCC) grant was unexpectedly cut.

Bedford Women’s Centre, which supports women in the community to improve their quality of life and that of their families, may have to adjust its services after a police and...

I'd like to say thank you to Mr Homer, who I think describes the situation in Bedford perfectly and I agree very much with what he has written. The real shame is people are not visiting...

Bedfordshire police bosses have claimed council budget cuts will put the public at risk as they call for plans to be reconsidered.

The inspection, completed in February 2025, was the first since the introduction of the new consumer standards in April 2024. All social landlords are given a grading following an inspection, ranging from C1, the highest achievable, and C4, the lowest. The Regulator of Social Housing has issued a C3 grading to us.

We were aware improvements were required to meet the outcomes required by the new standards and had made a self-referral to the Regulator of Social Housing in November 2024. We have started developing a Housing Regulatory Improvement Plan and are already working to make changes to our services.

The regulator identified health and safety compliance, the delivery of timely repairs, and tenant engagement as key areas for improvement and the recommendations from the report are being incorporated into our improvement plan.

Councillor Steve Watkins, Executive Member for Assets, Business and Housing said:

This is a disappointing outcome but not an unexpected one. We had made a self-referral to the Regulator in November 2024.

We are treating these issues with the utmost seriousness and taking swift and decisive action to improve and will continue collaborating with the regulator and tenants until we meet their expectations.

All tenants deserve to live in safe, high-quality and well-maintained homes, and we are fully committed to making the necessary improvements as quickly as possible.

The regulator recognised that:

Central Bedfordshire Council has engaged constructively, understands the issues it needs to address, and is taking action to rectify the failures identified.

We are working closely with the regulator and will continue to provide updates on progress.

The full report can be access by visiting the Regulator of Social Housing.

We’re calling on the Government to spur growth in the creative and tech sectors by protecting copyright

Plans to reduce public access to tidy tips from seven days a week to five under Central Bedfordshire Council’s budgeting proposals will lead to more fly-tipping, according to the local authority’s Labour group.

Real Bedford twice came from behind to eventually beat Aylesbury United 3-2 at the Ledger Stadium on Tuesday night (25 February) to keep chasing Berkhamsted at arm's length in the race...

Nominations are now open for the Bedford Independent Everyday Heroes Awards 2024, in partnership with the Harpur Trusts, honouring the individuals who go above and beyond...

Dedicated burial grounds for the Muslim community have now been official opened.

A decision on a planning application to build up to 204 new homes on the former Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) training facility in Harrowden has been deferred.

Officers are hoping for your help following an incident in Bedford near to Palgrave Road.

Bedfordshire Police say they have arrested a man on suspicion of dangerous driving after a road traffic collision on Cardington Road, Bedford between a driver and...

Goals from Simba Chigwada and Vincent Pretorius helped secure a 5-3 victory for Bedford Hockey Club Men's 1st XI in a weekend that also saw a Mother/Daughter combo appear for the first time...

Andrew Ruff’s suggestion of using the ground floor of Debenhams as an indoor market is an intriguing and innovative idea. However, I suspect that no feasible shopping proposal for the...

English Setter-cross Louis and his owner Nick Johnson have been unveiled as the finalists in the Best Friends category of The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award

Councils like Bedford borough must “commit” to boosting voter engagement ahead of the next local elections, a leading democracy expert has warned. In January, the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) published its report...