Bedford
Liberal Democrats

News

Consulting on the Very Difficult Decisions Ahead

You may have seen in the press or on the local TV news that this week we published proposals to achieve the £10 million-plus savings required for Bedford Borough Council's budget to balance next year. There are a number of very difficult decisions involved, and that is why we are publishing these proposals so early (the measures ultimately agreed will not take effect until April 2011) in order to enable a genuine, full and open consultation. These potential savings have been identified in order that the Council can continue to provide the services which match residents' priorities, and to ensure that the shortage of funds for Councils are not passed on to local taxpayers as we continue our drive to freeze Council tax next year.

10 Sep 2010
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Street Light

Green Light Given for Green Lights!

I'm delighted that the new energy contract entered into by the Council means that all Council-owned streetlights across the Borough will now be powered using renewable sources of energy. This will save over 3,000 tonnes of CO2 per year and is a major step forward as we strive towards meeting our ambitious commitments under the 10:10 climate change campaign. The new energy contract also includes the installation of meters which will allow automatic meter readings to be taken for electricity and gas. This avoids the need for estimated readings and will help the Council to monitor, control and ultimately reduce energy usage.

6 Sep 2010
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Mayor Dave Hodgson with village tour signs

Four Days In: Village Tour Update

Four days in, and the village tour is going really well. I've done surgeries in 13 villages so far, plus the pints in the parishes event in Cotton End on Tuesday night. Thanks to everyone who has come out and talked to me. I've taken away lots of actions for myself and for the Council, and if you've raised a query with me I will be getting back to you as soon as possible. The village tour is all about giving people in all parts of the Borough the chance to raise matters important to them with me directly, so if I'm coming to your village, please come and talk to me about any concerns, ideas, suggestions or just to say hello! The full village tour itinerary is listed below:

3 Sep 2010
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Dave Hodgson with Lorraine, Landlady of the Bell in Cotton End

Pints in the Parishes at The Bell, Cotton End last night

Last night I was in Cotton End for the latest 'Pints in the Parishes' event at The Bell. I want to thank Landlady Lorraine and everyone at the pub last night for a warm welcome and a very good discussion about a range of issues faced by the local residents in the village and in neighbouring Shortstown.

1 Sep 2010
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Dave Hodgson on the track at Bedford Athletics Stadium

On track for 2012 and Beyond at Bedford International Athletics Stadium

Work to relay the track at Bedford International Athletics Stadium on Barkers Lane started last week, and I went along to see how things were going. It is a major investment, but the old track was in sore need of replacing after more than 20 years. The new surface will be one of just a small handful in the country which matches that which will be used in the 20102 Olympic stadium, and will enable Bedford Borough to continue hosting major events in Bedford while offering local athletes and schoolchildren high quality facilities.

30 Aug 2010
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Dave Hodgson turning the sod with representatives of Lantmannen Unibake Ltd at Cambridge Road site

Welcoming a major new employer to the Borough

This week I met the CEO of bakers Lantmannen Unibake at Cambridge Road, to the South of Bedford, to turn the first sod at the site where they are building a brand new bakery. Up to 280 people will be employed at the site, with only six coming over from Lantmannen's existing bakery in Milton Keynes. In fact, Lantmannen had originally wanted to locate this new bakery in Milton Keynes, but after they were unable to secure planning permission at a particular site there, Bedford Borough Council moved quickly when we alerted to their interest in expanding and building a major new bakery.

29 Aug 2010
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