National Apprenticeship Week: Momentum Builds Towards 2016 in 2016

This week is National Apprenticeship Week, with a range of events going on around the Borough to promote the benefits to individuals of seeking apprenticeship opportunities, and to employers of providing those opportunities. In January Mayor Dave Hodgson announced the Apprenticeship Challenge: "2016 in 2016". This followed an apprenticeships summit Mayor Dave convened where the Council, training and education providers and employers sat down and agreed to set an ambitious target to reflect the ambition they all have for increasing high quality apprenticeship opportunities for young people and adults. So, while we have already seen huge growth in apprenticeships in Bedford Borough recently, the Apprenticeship Challenge sets the shared challenge of achieving the annual figure of creating 2016 new apprenticeships in 2016.

Brand New Bus Station for Bedford: Stay Right Up-To-Date with New Webcam

A new webcam trained on the bus station is now available via the Council's website, allowing local residents to keep an eye on this major project for Bedford Town Centre. Still images of the works, which have seen demolition on the main bus station building itself begin this week, are updated every few minutes, meaning even those who do not visit the site frequently are able to stay righ up-to-date with progress on this major development for their town.

Continued Improvement Highlights Scandal of Attempts to Downgrade Bedford Hospital and Cut Key Services

Mayor Dave Hodgson has welcomed the news that Bedford Hospital has had its overall grading increased by the Care Quality Commission under its latest quality and risk review, which was published today. The move into 'Band 5' places Bedford among the best performing hospitals in the country.

Women's Tour Route Unveiled: World Class Cycling Coming to the Streets of Bedford Borough

Mayor Dave Hodgson yesterday joined Bedfordshire resident and leading cyclist Helen Wyman, Women's Tour organiser Guy Elliott and sponsors University of Bedfordshire, the Harpur Trust and BedfordBID to officially unveil the race route through Bedford for the culmination of stage two of the inaugural Women's Tour Elite International Cycle Race in May.

Mayor Dave - Investing in our Schools and Scrapping Temporary Classrooms

Mayor Dave Hodgson on BBC Radio 1's 'Mayor of Where' Feature - Catch it While You Can!

Last Thursday, Mayor Dave Hodgson was BBC Radio 1's 'Mayor of Where', a feature on the station's drivetime show, presented by Greg James. The format of the feature sees a Mayor quizzed by newsreader Chris Smith in an attempt to identify the town, city or Borough led by the Mayor. Mayor Dave was invited by the BBC to take part on the day, and the live interview saw Dave answering a variety of questions including famous sons and daughters of the area and any foods for which it is welll known. As you would expect, the Bedfordshire clanger was discussed!