Mayor Dave Hodgson has slammed today's Government announcement of regulated rail fare rises of up to 3.6% from January 2018 as adding 'insult to injury' for local rail users worried about the loss of peak-time intercity fast services from Bedford.
Under government plans to impose new housebuilding targets on local areas, Bedford Borough Council will be required to plan for the building of 25,600 new homes, an increase of more than a third on current plans.
Mayor Dave Hodgson's Cabinet's budget has been approved with unanimous support from all councillors, of all parties plus independents.
The full, final list of council tax rises across the country has revealed that just 3 out of 56 unitary councils have a lower increase than Bedford Borough for 2018/19.
Commenting on the news that the Government has put Bedford Prison into special measures, and done so with no announcement to the public or local representatives, Mayor Dave Hodgson has slammed the government over its failure to address safety and standards issues at the facility.
Govia Thameslink Railway's Additional Industry Compensation scheme, established in addition to existing compensation schemes due to the extensive disruption suffered by travellers following the timetable changes in May, is to be extended.
