With the crucial mayoral election approaching on Thursday 7th May, this is the first of a short series here setting out the facts on a number of key issues and looking at the remarkable record of Mayor Dave Hodgson in getting the best for Bedford Borough.
Despite the council's unprecedented financial pressures, Mayor Dave Hodgson has a remarkable record of getting things done for Bedford Borough, with key transport projects promised for decades turned into a reality. Meanwhile, roads maintenance, local bus services and cycle provision have all been improved. Here are the facts:
Since the day he was first elected as Mayor in October 2009, Mayor Dave Hodgson has prioritised economic growth and jobs for Bedford Borough. He has retained the Economic Development portfolio personally throughout his time as Mayor, and has worked tirelessly to attract new investment and create a supportive environment in which existing businesses can succeed. Here are the facts on jobs and the local economy:
In the face of unprecedented reductions in the council's funding from government and massive financial pressures, Mayor Dave Hodgson has a striking record on saving local services in Bedford Borough, with no libraries, leisure centres or children's centres closed, with weekly collections protected and with bus services maintained and expanded. Here are the facts:
I support a humane and sustainable farming system with high standards of animal welfare, and I want to see further development of the laws we have in place to protect the wellbeing of farm animals.
The NHS is a public service that we need to support and protect as much as possible. That's why I'm delighted that Liberal Democrats have committed to increasing spending on our NHS funding by £8 billion a year by 2020, which is the funding the NHS needs to cope with our aging population.
