In the first of a series of posts here on mayordave.org.uk with suggestions for New Year's Resolutions on the theme of getting out and enjoying the facilities and attractions on offer in Bedford Borough, Mayor Dave Hodgson encourages everyone to use and enjoy their local library.
With many retail stores shut as part of the new national lockdown, Bedford Borough Council is urging everyone to support local businesses by backing BedfordBID's 'Remember November Online' campaign.
Following extensive public consultation, an updated package of Council savings proposals over the next four years has been published. After a remarkable level of participation in the consultation including over 4,000 responses, a number of proposals have been amended, including the retention of additional funds for Youth Services and the services provided by the Home Start Charity.
Yes, I know that often the last thing we want in October is to be told that Christmas is around the corner, especially when shops and advertisers seem to be bombarding us with it for months in advance! However, with dates now confirmed for a couple of important free Christmas events in Bedford, you may want to pencil them into your diary to make sure you and your family are able can join in the fun when they come around.
Last week my latest monthly column for the Times and Citizen Newspaper looked at the savings proposals which were approved for consultation by the all-party Executive last week. Consultation will begin next week, and will be open until late November, so please do have a look at the proposals and give your views. As I said in my column, it is only by working together during these tought times that we can ensure we are making the best decisions for our Borough, now and in the future. Here's the article in full, including a link to the section of the Council's website where you will be able to find out more about the proposals and how to take part in the consultation:
60 and 30 are the key numbers for my 2011 village tour, which gets underway tomorrow with open surgeries at Farndish, Hinwick, Podington and Wymington. This year I will be visiting 60 villages across the Borough in September's 30 days, holding a mobile surgery in each village and talking to rural residents about the issues that matter to them. The village tour is intended to give people the best possible chance to talk to me directly about any issues they want to raise. Clearly it's not easy for everyone to get to Borough Hall for one of my monthly 'by appointment' surgeries, or to one of my monthly 'out and about' sessions, so I hope lots of people take the chance to come and talk to me while I'm in their neighbourhood. For more information about where you can find me or how to arrange to see me, including full dates, times and locations for the village tour, click on the 'Meet Dave' button on the menu on the front page of mayordave.org.
