My latest monthly article for the Times and Citizen newspaper was on the topic of services for children at Bedford Hospital, and in particular the decision of the NHS decision-makers to respond to a problem over the supervision of junior doctors by launching a review of whether paediatric services should be removed from our local hospital altogether.
It was a pleasure recently to help formally open the latest addition to Bedford High Street, The ZipYard. This new store offers garment repairs and alterations, and owner Graeme Mulheron showed me the professional operation they have in place, with on-site seamstresses and changing rooms. As I have said many, many times before, in the current climate which sees High Streets across the UK struggling in the face of prevailing trends such as out-of-town and internet shopping, a visit to town has to offer something more. A service such as clothing repair is obviously not something that you can simply buy easily online, and I think The ZipYard is a very welcome addition to the town.
Bedford Borough Council has been ranked 10th out of 151 local authorities nationally in securing positive outcomes for the Troubled Families programme. The latest Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) data reveals that the Council has helped to transform the lives of 65 families with complex needs as part of a groundbreaking government scheme.
Following a campaign by Lib Dem Cllr Tim Hill and local residents, the Planning Inspectorate has protected a Village Open Space in Stewartby by dismissing an appeal against the refusal of planning permission to build more homes in the village.
Bedford Borough Council is working with Local Heritage Properties to secure a borough-wide promotion in which generous volunteers unlock historic buildings and invite members of the public inside to view them.
Bedford Borough Council's music service is expanding its offering to ensure that lower, middle and upper schools students can all be given an opportunity to learn an instrument, or become part of a new musical group.