As part of the Liberal Democrats' ongoing drive to open up Bedford Borough Council since the election of Mayor Dave Hodgson, Council payments greater than £1,000 will be published online. The announcement was made last night at a meeting of the Council's Executive by Liberal Democrat Finance Portfolio Holder Cllr Michael Headley, as he presented the Council's proposed budget for the coming year.
Pedal power was on show in abundance in De Parys on Sunday when Mayor Dave Hodgson joined a Safer Cycling event organised by Liberal Democrat Ward Councillor David Sawyer.
With the prolonged cold snap having taken a heavy toll on the condition of some of Bedford Borough's roads, Mayor Dave Hodgson has moved to ensure that immediate remedial action is taken as soon as the conditions allow by allocating £200,000 in emergency funds.
'No stone has been left unturned' in the drive to find savings and keep council tax bills down, declared Dave Hodgson today, as a proposed Bedford Borough Council budget which boosts opportunities for the young, protects the local environment and supports the local economy was published. Against a backdrop of the severe economic crisis and a toxic financial legacy inherited from the former County Council, savings of £9 million have been identified to enable front line services to be protected and a council tax increase of just 2.3 per cent to be proposed. This is down from a forecast 11.5 per cent rise before the election of Mayor Dave Hodgson.
Bedford Borough Liberal Democrats' drive to boost recycling in rural areas and support residents to recycle frequently and conveniently has continued with the provision of a new glass bank at the Horse & Jockey pub in Ravensden. Mayor Dave Hodgson and Deputy Mayor and Environment Portfolio Holder Cllr Charles Royden visited the new facility and have pledged to continue the campaign to support residents across the Borough to recycle.
Recently published figures highlighted by the Liberal Democrats show that Bedford Borough has more sports halls than any other local authority in the East of England.
