£137 Per Household: The Ongoing Cost of the Former County Council's Debt Legacy

Emerging Plans For Foxgloves Could be a Fantastic Result of Genuine Consultation

New plans are emerging for the future provision of respite care for children with disabilities which involve keeping Foxgloves open. These plans will presented to the Council's Executive on 8th December, with the details to be confirmed nearer the time. These are very exciting developments, however, which could prove to be a fantastic result of genuine, open-minded partnership working between Portfolio Holder for Children's Services Cllr David Sawyer, Council officers and the parents of children who use the respite services offered at Foxgloves.

Climate Change Fund Update: Pavenham Village Hall Set to Soak Up the Sun!

I am delighted that, following the Sustainability Committee's decision this week to award it over £8,000 of funding from the Mayor's Climate Change Fund, Pavenham Village Hall and Playing Field Charity's excellent project to install loft insulation and solar panels will be going ahead. The scheme will see 16 photovoltaic panels generating 2,722 kWh of electricity from a fossil-free source and will save 1.55 tonnes of CO2 and £1,448 per year. It is a genuine community project, and exactly the sort of scheme I had in mind when we set up the Climate Change Fund. It will provide ongoing savings for the Charity, help protect the environment and provide an excellent example to other organisations who may consider pursuing similar projects. I wish the Charity the very best of luck with the project and look forward to seeing the panels in place when it is completed.

All Set for a Meeting with the Secretary of State for Education

Tomorrow I will join other representatives from the Borough including the MP for Bedford & Kempston and the sponsor organisations of the Bedford Academy for a meeting with Secretary of state for education Michael Gove. The meeting is being held in the wake of the Government's cancellation of the Building Schools for the Future project. It provides an opportunity to make Mr Gove aware of the circumstances in Bedford Borough following the removal of all Borough Schools from the BSF programme bar the Bedford Academy, which is 'for discussion,' and comes as the Government embarks on a review of capital investment in schools.

Get Down to the Athletics Stadium Tomorrow and 'Run with the Stars!'

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity presents itself tomorrow, as the world class Kenyan athletes who have been here in Bedford this week taking part in a range of community activities give local residents the chance to 'Run With the Stars.'

Bedford Mayor Count underway

The count is underway for the Mayor of Bedford. We will bring you the result as soon as it is announced.