Bedfordshire

Work continues to review flooding problems in Central Bedfordshire and establish how widespread water damage can be prevented in future, a meeting heard.

Your weekly what’s on guide for Bedford and the surrounding area from The Bedford Clanger. Never miss a thing in Bedford ever again. From theatre to film, live music to art exhibitions, The Bedford...

Bedford Borough Council says irresponsible dog owners who don't pick up after their dogs, and therefore put children at risk from blindness, are getting away with it because...

Two men have been arrested after a woman was raped in Bedford earlier this week – and police are still urgently searching for more witnesses.

It says an "experienced team from the Ministry of Housing and Homes England will work across government and with local councils to accelerate the buildout of housing schemes delayed by planning and red tape to drive economic growth across every part of the country."

Councillor Adam Zerny, Leader of Central Bedfordshire Council, said:

It's encouraging to see a government eager to take action in its first 100 days, and delays with big housing sites are common occurrences. However, I would caution that slow delivery is caused by a range issues, the complex nature of co-ordinating vast numbers of factors which are often outside of the control of councils, and it will be interesting to see if this approach will be able to tackle all the issues which affect delivery.

Wherever this council needs to work in concert with developers, it will do so, and any help from the government, if needed, is welcome.

If the government wants to assist developers, and it's not going to cost much public money, and it's not going to be to the detriment of residents, arguably, it's not any of my business.

And I would caution the government that any kind of 'planning speed-up' should not risk proper controls over planning and remind the government that the planning process is just one factor in the delivery of new homes.

The planning process needs to work at an appropriate speed to allow the public to comment on what might happen, to influence decisions, and take an active part in the development of their community.

The government must work with local authorities to ensure appropriate infrastructure accompanies ALL new development. It's no good just building houses; we need the schools, parks, doctor surgeries, roads and public transport that will turn these from being housing estates into communities. We must also ensure this infrastructure benefits the existing communities and takes account of what THEY need now such as healthcare and leisure which is particularly noticeable in places like Biggleswade and Leighton Buzzard.

And with big developments, the government needs to think seriously about how to change the current system to provide the 'forward funding' which allows the infrastructure to be in place when the development is built, not years later.

Bedfordshire Police say they have made two further arrests as part of an investigation into a report of a rape in Shortstown rape earlier this week. Detectives from the force’s...

A national wildlife conservation charity is asking 'citizen scientists' to identify priority ponds that could be home to plants and animals vital to a healthy ecosystem. It hopes this will...

The criminal case against a Bedfordshire Police chief inspector charged with several offences, including multiple rapes, has been discontinued. Chief Inspector Mo Aziz, suspended from...

The criminal case against an officer charged with several offences, including multiples rapes, has been discontinued.

The Bedford School trio of Finlay Rennie, Jack Peters and Freddie Tucker secured a second national title of the season in the world of school-grade golf in winning the first ever English Schools Scratch Team Championships at Woodhall...

The Bedford School trio of Finlay Rennie, Jack Peters and Freddie Tucker secured a second national title of the season in the world of school-grade golf in winning the first ever English Schools Scratch Team Championships at Woodhall...

The Bedford School trio of Finlay Rennie, Jack Peters and Freddie Tucker secured a second national title of the season in the world of school-grade golf in winning the first ever English Schools Scratch Team Championships at Woodhall...

Most people who escape a fine for not picking up after their dog get away with it because there’s no witness statement says Bedford Borough Council.

Charges to use Central Bedfordshire Council’s tidy tips could be introduced next year if plans are given the go-ahead.

The programme aims to help parents and carers increase their understanding of their children’s feelings and needs. It’s designed to help them understand why children behave as they do and recognise the feelings behind the behaviour, as well as explore different approaches to discipline and build positive relationships.

Parents can choose to attend either a ten-week programme – which provides a creche facility – or a four-week programme made up of four workshops. Attendees will also have access to free Parenting Puzzle resources, which support the programme.

We have launched six more courses, all starting before the end of 2024. There are two new four-week courses running at:

• Sandy Children’s Centre starting on Wednesday 25 September and running every Wednesday from 6pm to 8pm
• Cranfield School starting on Wednesday 6 November and running every Wednesday from 10am to midday

The following ten-week courses are also running at:

• Leighton Buzzard Children’s Centre, starting on Thursday 26 September and running on Thursday afternoons from 12:45pm to 2:45pm
• Houghton Regis Children’s Centre (Tithe Farm site) starting on Wednesday 25 September and running every Wednesday from 9:30am to 11:30am
• Shefford Children’s Centre, starting on Wednesday 25 September and running every Wednesday from 6pm to 8pm
• Dunstable Children’s Centre starting on Tuesday 1 October and running every Tuesday from 12:45pm to 2:45pm

To book, people should contact the relevant children’s centre directly. More information, including contact details, is available at Parenting Puzzle course information

Councillor Steve Owen, Executive Member for Children's Services, said:

We’re pleased to offer new dates for the Parenting Puzzle Programme, giving more parents and carers the opportunity to build strong, positive relationships with their children. Raising a child can be challenging, and this programme provides valuable support and practical tools to help families navigate those early years with confidence. We’re committed to helping families thrive, and I would urge people to make the most of this fantastic free resource.

A Telegraph journalist and author has named Bedfordshire as his favourite county.

Winter Wonderland is returning to Bedford Park this year, but Bedford Borough Council has said “no decisions” have been made for future years. Harpur Ward councillors have also...

Fewer asylum seekers were being housed in hotels in Bedford this summer than a year earlier, new figures show.

A man has been attacked in what police are describing as a violent robbery in Kempston.

Bedfordshire Police must “up its game” to protect women and children from violence says the police and crime commissioner.

Winter Wonderland is returning to Bedford Park this year, but “no decisions” have been made for future years, Bedford Borough Council has said.

Stay safe folks! 🚨

A man has been attacked in what police are describing as a violent robbery in Kempston.

After fourteen years of austerity, our public services are underfunded and too many of them are broken. This is very much the case with the criminal justice system. Telling a victim...

Two men and one teenager have been arrested after they were caught in Luton with nearly £500 of stolen goods from Silsoe Co-op.