New outdoor gym coming to Priory Country Park
A new outdoor gym featuring seven pieces of equipment and a calisthenics centre is being installed in Priory Country Park.
15 May 2022
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End for Council Magazine in further £45,000 Saving from Council PR
One of my early decisions as mayor was to cut the cost of the Council magazine 'Borough News,' halving the number of editions to 6 a year and making delivery cheaper and wider-reaching across the whole borough. This produced a major saving for the taxpayer, while improving the design, content and reach of the magazine in order to make it more useful for local residents. I hear a range of views about Borough News from residents, some from people who like to receive it, others who feel it is a waste of money. Personally, while I can see its purpose and have worked to make it more useful and cost effective, in the current climate resources must be directed to the front line to protect services while keeping tax down. We are therefore now going further and stopping the magazine altogether in order to communicate with residents in more cost effective ways.
26 Jan 2011
Pay-by-phone to park in Bedford
Residents in Bedford and visitors to town may have noticed the new signage on the pay and display parking ticket machines advertising the facility now available to enable you to pay by phone for parking. I launched the 'RinGo' scheme at Melbourne Street Car Park last week, and have had some good feedback so far from residents who have used the service. The purpose of this is simply to make paying for parking easier and more convenient, whether you are using one of the Council-run car parks or on-street parking. Payment can even be made via an iPhone app (other smartphones are available!).
3 Nov 2010
Consulting on the Very Difficult Decisions Ahead
You may have seen in the press or on the local TV news that this week we published proposals to achieve the £10 million-plus savings required for Bedford Borough Council's budget to balance next year. There are a number of very difficult decisions involved, and that is why we are publishing these proposals so early (the measures ultimately agreed will not take effect until April 2011) in order to enable a genuine, full and open consultation. These potential savings have been identified in order that the Council can continue to provide the services which match residents' priorities, and to ensure that the shortage of funds for Councils are not passed on to local taxpayers as we continue our drive to freeze Council tax next year.
10 Sep 2010
River Festival 2010 is here!
After a huge amount of preparation, including by numerous volunteers, River Festival 2010 is upon us! We should be very proud that the celebration first held in 1978 to mark the opening of a navigable route from Bedford to the wash has grown to become one of the most popular free events in the country. Around 300,000 people are estimated to be heading to our town this weekend, and I cannot wait to join with the vast numbers of volunteers, community groups, sponsors and local performers in showcasing the best of what Bedford has to offer.
17 Jul 2010
Kite Festival a Great Success
The Bedford Kite Festival was visited by over 40,000 people last weekend - a record turnout. I was there on Saturday and spent time talking to kite flyers, stall holders and residents who had come down to enjoy the wonderful array of kites. Unfortunately the conditions on Saturday were not helpful to kite-flying, but that didn't seem to be hampering anyone's ability to enjoy themselves.
10 Jun 2010