This week is armed forces week, culminating in Armed Forces Day tomorrow. On Monday a flag raising ceremony took place, and I joined veterans and Councillors in honouring the brave men and women who make up the Armed Forces Community.
Anthony Caprioli and the local Liberal Democrats thank residents who supported him in the Kempston North by-election on Thursday 24th June 2010. The by-election was caused by the sad death of Labour councillor Ray Oliver. Labour held the seat. Despite the Conservatives trying their hardest, the biggest shock of the night was to see their vote collapse, with a 14% reduction in their share of the poll.
In these incredibly difficult economic times, residents rightly expect the Council to do all it can to keep Council tax bills down while protecting front line services. That has been my key priority since being elected as Mayor in October last year, and this week Finance Portfolio Holder Michael Headley announced our aim to freeze Council tax next year. This will be an extremely tough task, but after years of inflation-busting tax rises and poor services under the Conservative County Council, local residents deserve better.
The St George's Flag was flying at Borough Hall and Town Hall yesterday as England took on Slovenia in the crucial World Cup match in South Africa. It obviously brought the team good fortune, and it will be flying once again on Sunday when we take on Germany!
Deputy Mayor Cllr Charles Royden attended the launch of the Show Racism the Red Card campaign in Bedford Borough at Beds Police HQ on Monday. Show Racism the Red Card is a national anti-racist charity which promotes anti-racism to children and young people, particularly through football. When I first learnt about the national campaign and the way it engages young people in promoting this important message I was very keen that children in the Borough should benefit from it. I'm delighted that the programme is now getting underway, and I'm just sorry I wasn't able to be at the launch on Monday and meet BBC football pundit and former West Ham striker Leroy Rosenior and ex-Watford and England forward Luther Blissett!
Bedford Borough Lib Dems have announced that the Council is aiming for a council tax freeze next year. The announcement follows two years of below-inflation increases in Bedford Borough after the Council inherited the country's second highest level of County Council tax from the Conservative-run County Council in April 2009. It also comes after the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced today that the Government will work with Councils to deliver a Council tax freeze.
