Following a two-tier conversion from Middle to Secondary, building works at Castle Newnham School, in Polhill Avenue, have started on a brand new Music Hub.

Cllr Henry Vann, Portfolio Holder for Education at Bedford Borough Council, said: "This is hugely exciting for pupils at Castle Newnham and for children and young people across the whole of Bedford Borough. Music can make a real difference to children's lives and putting the Music Service in a permanent home, and collaborating alongside the new teacher-led Bedford Music Co-operative will help to put the future of music in the Borough on a permanent footing. I look forward to seeing pupils at Castle Newnham and from across the Borough thriving once this fantastic facility is completed."

Bedford Borough Council is set to decide on a new £multi-million savings programme which will make services more accessible and provide over £10million of savings to help fill the shortfall caused by cuts in government funding.

Despite already delivering annual savings of over £90million, further cuts in government funding mean that the Council needs to change the way it works to meet the challenge presented by less money and a growing need for services. The proposals will involve the whole of the Council and provide savings across the board by redesigning the services currently provided by the authority. In particular it is proposed that savings will run alongside opportunities to make more services available online, providing an expected saving of £10million every year while ensuring services are as effective and efficient as possible.

The Budget proposed by Mayor Dave Hodgson and his Cabinet was passed with overwhelming cross-party support, with 39 votes for and just 1 against.

The context for the budget is a combination of a massive cut in government funding and a sharp rise in the need for services, especially social care for the growing elderly population. The Council's main government grant is falling from over £30 million in 2015 to just £5.8 million in 2019. By 2020/21, the authority faces a funding gap of £27.5 million.

Revised GCSE and equivalent results for 2015-2016 have been released this month by the Department for Education (DfE) - and Bedford Borough has come out as top of the region for Progress 8 GCSE results.

Cllr Henry Vann, Portfolio Holder for Education at Bedford Borough Council, said: "A huge well done to every young person - and all their teachers - who worked so hard for these results. Bedford Borough being ranked as 1st in the region for Progress 8 is great news."

In 2016 The Higgins Bedford welcomed over 42,500 visitors, representing a 24% increase on the previous year and making it the museum's busiest calendar year ever.

Popular exhibitions during 2016 included Bedford's War Machines, which marked the centenary of the Battle of the Somme; The Harpur Trust 450^th Anniversary Art Competition Exhibition which displayed artworks by school children from across Bedford Borough; and Picasso and the Masters of Print which continues until April.

This New Year Bedford i-lab, based in the successful Priory Business Park, is pleased to welcome a number of new businesses, taking occupancy to record levels post-recession at over 90%.

Operated by Bedford Borough Council, Bedford i-lab provides flexible and affordable office accommodation tailored towards innovative and exciting businesses including start-ups.

There was a celebratory event this month to mark the completion of the 'Townscape Heritage Initiative' (THI) Project. The project launched in September 2011 with an aim to offer grants to improve traditional properties that were either derelict, in poor repair and/or vacant.

The project has made vast improvements to 16 properties in total within the High Street and St Paul's Square area and this, along with town centre events, has helped to further increased footfall figures; with this year's October numbers being the highest for 6 years.

Bedford Borough Council has been announced as National Champion for sustainability at the Public Sector Energy & Sustainability Awards 2016. The award recognises major investment in green energy production including, solar energy, hydro power and biomass.

Mayor of Bedford Borough Dave Hodgson said: "Through targeted investment and a commitment to sustainability we have slashed our carbon emissions and have turned the council into a flagship for green energy and environmental good practice. I would like to congratulate everybody across the council who has helped contribute to this national success."