Mayor Dave Hodgson has outlined the Council's ambitions for economic development in Bedford Borough in the new Economic Prosperity Plan. The plan will focus on three key areas: supporting sustainable business growth, promoting the vitality of our town centres and encouraging education and skills development for all ages.
The government has failed to inject money and support local communities in Kempston in last week's Levelling Up funding announcement. It comes despite Rishi Sunak's own constituency of Richmond in Yorkshire receiving £19m of levelling up funding. If the bid had been successful, it would have provided funding to restore the Saxon Centre and invest in public space, walking and cycling infrastructure.
Independents' Day is a campaign that exists to support and promote independent retail businesses across the UK all year round, but with an annual focus on July 4th: 'Independents' Day' itself, however as this falls on a Sunday this year it is being celebrated all weekend.
Latest unemployment figures for Bedford Borough have revealed that the dramatic fall in the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) is continuing. The figures show that a further 126 people came off JSA in November 2014, meaning the number of claimants has fallen by a massive 49% since the early part of last year. The proportion of claimants now stands at 2.2%, having fallen for nine consecutive months.
One of the things that has bothered me for a number of years, and I know it bothers many local residents too is the absence of Bedford on the television weather maps.
Bedford Borough Council is launching its new Apprenticeship Strategy and it may be surprising to some people that it is not just focused on young people and school leavers. The Strategy will offer apprenticeships for those just starting out, those starting later in life and those who are retraining to take up better paid opportunities. This strategy aims to promote new skills development for people across the Borough, increasing employment and growth.
