You may have noticed this website has been a bit quiet in the last 10 days or so. Apologies for that - following the update of the site during the weekend before last, it was not possible to update it for a while. It's all up, running and fully functional now, allowing me a belated chance to offer everyone a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
The latest 'Pints in the Parishes' event is taking place tonight, at Corner 5 in Kempston Rural from around 7.30pm. If you're in the area, please come along and let me know about any issues or concerns you have about your local area, Council services or anything at all you want to discuss.
One of my early decisions as mayor was to cut the cost of the Council magazine 'Borough News,' halving the number of editions to 6 a year and making delivery cheaper and wider-reaching across the whole borough. This produced a major saving for the taxpayer, while improving the design, content and reach of the magazine in order to make it more useful for local residents. I hear a range of views about Borough News from residents, some from people who like to receive it, others who feel it is a waste of money. Personally, while I can see its purpose and have worked to make it more useful and cost effective, in the current climate resources must be directed to the front line to protect services while keeping tax down. We are therefore now going further and stopping the magazine altogether in order to communicate with residents in more cost effective ways.
During the budget-setting process some information emerged about the full, eye-watering extent of the debt left by the former...
You may have read the excellent news that the ever-popular Proms in the Park event is returning to Bedford Park this year. In the last few years it had moved out to Twinwoods in Clapham and, while I am told that the event was enjoyed by all as always, many people have told me how much they miss enjoying the concert in the beautiful surroundings of Bedford Park, not to mention the easier access to central Bedford for the vast majority of concert-goers. We were therefore very keen to strike a deal with the promoters, the Full Effect, and I am very pleased we reached agreement which will see many local residents and visitors come into Bedford over that weekend to enjoy some great music and another exciting event for Bedford.
The latest 'Pints in the Parishes' event is taking place tonight, at the Jackal in Thurleigh from around 7.30pm. If you're in the area, please come along and let me know about any issues or concerns you have about your local area, Council services or anything at all you want to discuss. Here's the link to The Jackal's website: www.thejackalpub.co.uk
