Dave Delivers - a Record of Action

The Mayoral election is now under a month away, and Mayor Dave Hodgson has written about how he is fighting a positive campaign based on his record of action and the promise of more.

In his latest email update, Mayor Dave writes:

With the Mayoral and Council elections now in full swing, I'm campaigning on my record of action for Bedford Borough, and a promise to keep getting the best for our communities.

From the day I was first elected in 2009, I prioritised jobs and the local economy. Since then, the proportion of people in employment in Bedford Borough has increased at a much higher rate than it has both regionally and nationally, with 16,000 more people now in work.

In the face of massive government funding cuts I've fought successfully to save key services and ensure no closures of libraries, children's centres or leisure centres. I've done so while keeping a firm grip on the Council's finances and kept council tax down.

That marks a stark contrast with next-door Northamptonshire, for instance where financial collapse has combined with sweeping service cuts and inflation-busting tax bills.

I've stood up for our communities, helping win the fight against repeated efforts by government and NHS bosses for a major downgrade of Bedford Hospital.

I've also delivered key projects such as the completion of the Bedford Western Bypass, the popular Riverside Bedford development, new schools school classrooms, all while cutting the Council's carbon emissions by half.

That's my record of action, and it comes with a promise of more if I'm re-elected. More local jobs, more standing up for our areas and more success in saving local services in tough times.

Best wishes

Dave