Campaigning in the election for Mayor of Bedford is hotting up with polling day just 2 weeks away. If you would like to follow Dave Hodgson's campaign for Mayor you can sign up for regular newsletters over the next two weeks at www.DaveForMayor.org.uk, or follow him on twitter @daveformayor or on facebook: Dave for Mayor.
Liberal Democrats are calling Bedford Pilgrims Housing Association to account over their failure to maintain garages in Brickhill. Local residents have complained that some of the garages are an extreme safety hazard with dangerous roof structures and burned out cars. Residents have also complained of the garages being used for rough sleeping and drug taking, with fires being lit in the abandoned garages next to their homes.
Latest figures uncovered by the Liberal Democrats show that Bedford Borough Council paid out nearly £50,000 in three years in compensation to people who tripped on pavements. The large figure represents only a fraction of the overall compensation bill for local taxpayers, as it does not include payments made by the former County Council. The County Council was responsible for maintaining most heavily-used pavements, and the Borough Council's bill could rocket after it took on responsibility for these in April this year. County councils and unitary authorities have paid out an average of nearly £1m each in compensation for pavement trips in the last five years.
I was grateful today for the opportunity to visit Guru Nanak Gurdwara, Sikh Temple in Queens Park. The magnificent Gurdwara is one of those serving the large and vibrant local Sikh community.
Out and about today I came across a real gem. Caffe Piccolo and Bakery (little cafe) is situated in the parade of shops in Clapham High Street.
I visited Bletsoe today, along with members of my campaign team. We met many local residents who were keen to raise a variety of issues with us, including travellers' sites, education and consideration for the rural areas.
