Almost 1,000 burglaries went unattended in Bedfordshire last year, stark figures uncovered by the Liberal Democrats, in a Freedom of Information request to Bedfordshire Police, have shown. Of the 1,620 burglaries reported, police only arrived at the scene in 627 instances - accounting for just 38.7% of cases. This places Bedfordshire Police Force 19th out of 19 police forces that responded to the FOI for arrival rate in 2022.
The Kingsbrook Liberal Democrat FOCUS Team has taken action to make Kingsbrook a cleaner, greener and safer ward for residents. Since being elected, Councillor Dean Crofts and the late Councillor Patrick Solomon have worked with Bedford Borough Council to install new streetlights, reduce speed limits to 20mph and plant hundreds of trees.
The £2 Bus fare scheme has been extended to June 2023. The scheme sees all adult single fares capped at £2 and all return fares capped at £4 on bus services operated by participating operators.
Full Council agreed to submit Bedford Borough's Local Plan 2040 earlier this year and it sets out a number of new planning policies that will minimise carbon emissions from new developments. The policies include contributing to more walkable and cycle-able neighbourhoods, incorporating renewable and low carbon energy infrastructure, and retrofitting existing buildings with measures to reduce energy consumption.
In March 2023, Bedford Borough Council held a celebration event at Borough Hall to recognise the achievements of learners who have been through the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) advice service.
Since Mayor Dave Hodgson was elected in 2009, he has helped to attract hundreds of companies to the Borough, as well as helping local business to thrive. It is estimated that this has helped to create and protect over 8,000 new jobs for Bedford Borough residents. Through proactive discussions and the Council's strong business support offer, companies such as the Money and Pension Services, B&M Distribution and Vison Modular Systems have all relocated to Bedford Borough.
