Bedford Borough Council has announced ambitious plans for another record year of tree planting across the Borough. Last year the council planted over 30,000 trees and this year the target is even bigger with an expectation that over 35,000 trees will be planted.
Work to ensure that Bedford continues to be a safe and welcoming place to visit sees District Enforcement Ltd awarded a contract to deter those from spoiling our parks and open spaces and Bedford town centre from environmental offences.
It was a very constructive meeting with Michael Gove this morning. Clearly we didn't expect to get any answers on how much capital funding will be forthcoming for schools in the Borough this morning, but we were very glad of the opportunity to make the case for investment in our schools. We discussed the context of the cancelled Building Schools for the Future programme and what that has meant in Bedford Borough, the specific case of the Bedford Academy (which will be replacing John Bunyan Upper School from September) and its plans, the current accommodation for our special schools and the wider issues around education in the Borough.
The new Coronavirus walk-in testing centre, located at the Polhill Campus Car Park, on Polhill Avenue, is operating on a walk-in basis, for anybody in the borough who needs a test. It will be open every day providing testing for students at the University and local residents. It expands on the local testing availability currently provided at Borough Hall and Prebend Street car parks in the town.
Over the last few months, Mayor Dave Hodgson has announced a number of schemes and grants aimed at supporting Bedford Borough residents through the cost of living crisis. Some of the actions taken include helping to create a network of Warm Spaces, providing grants to a number of charities and organisations, as well as continuing to offer 100% Council Tax support to the most vulnerable residents. The key schemes are outlined below:
Do you sing in the shower? Do you think singing is only for the rugby ground or church? Think Again. Bedford Sings is a bold new initiative to celebrate those who sing in choirs in and around Bedford and takes place for the first time this year from 11-17 February.
