Bedford Borough Council continues to update its coronavirus webpage with all changes to council services and other important information. Updates on Saturday 21st March included the closure of all libraries, barring the limited exception of Bedford Central Library, which will be open today, Sunday 22nd March, from midday - 2pm for the use of public computers by library users only.
This week is National Gardening Week, and Bedford Borough Liberal Democrats are backing the campaign to help people get gardening and to grow a new generation of gardeners.
Bedford Borough Council welcomes today's government announcement for proposals to stop children in care being placed in unregulated accommodation.
195 businesses in Bedford Borough are facing a huge £840,000 energy bill increase once Government support is slashed in April, new analysis from the Liberal Democrats has revealed.The average bill increase is likely to be around £4,317, putting pubs, restaurants and cafes at risk.
Commenting on the Government's COVID winter plan Liberal Democrat Group Leader Councillor Christine McHugh reminded last week's Local Outbreak Engagement Board that "The national Government's response has been behind the curve throughout the pandemic, reacting too late to trends that were in fact obvious. Despite the success of the vaccines and vaccine rollout, the latest figures show there are over 10 times the number of cases, 16 times the number of hospitalisations and 3 times as many deaths now compared with the same time last year. In addition, national commentators are saying hospitals are currently operating close to winter-level pressures before winter has even begun."
Commenting on this week's Local Government Finance Settlement, which confirmed the severe ongoing Government cuts for local services, Mayor Dave Hodgson said that contrary to the Prime Minister's claims, 'austerity is most definitely not over for local services.'
