Elite International Cycle Race Coming to the Streets of Bedford Borough in 2014

This week saw the announcement that elite international cycle race The 2014 Women's Tour will be coming to the streets of Bedford Borough next May. The announcement confirmed that the second day of racing will conclude in Bedford. This is an elite level race, having recently been awarded the highest possible status by the international Cycling authority the UCI, meaning that the very best international cyclists are likely to feature.

Mayor Hails Local Schools' Excellent Showing in Ofsted Annual Report

Mayor Dave Hodgson has praised the work of local schools in driving up and maintaining high standards, following Ofsted's ranking of the Bedford Borough local authority area as the second best place in the country for a child to attend lower or primary school. Since the figures were compiled, a further school has moved into Ofsted's good or outstanding categories, meaning Bedford Borough would rank joint first in the national table, based on the proportion of children attending a good or outstanding school. Currently, an extraordinary 97% of children attend a good or outstanding primary or lower school.

New Figures Confirm Bedford Borough Students Bucked National GCSE Trend in Stunning Fashion

Mayor Dave Hodgson has repeated his congratulations to students and school staff after national figures published by the Department for Education confirmed the dramatic rise in 2013 in attainment at GCSE level across Bedford Borough Schools. In a year which saw the proportion of young people achieving five A* - C grades falling nationally, here in Bedford Borough this figure rose by a massive 6.3%, from 53.4% to 59.7%. This was by far the biggest improvement in performance across the Eastern region, and places Bedford Borough schools' GCSE performance above the national average.

Council Tax Freeze Confirmed as Council Budget Wins Unanimous Support

Women's Tour to Provide a Superb Spectacle of Sport on Streets of Bedford Borough

The inaugural Women's Tour Cycle race is coming to Bedford Borough in just over a week's time, and Mayor Dave Hodgson has predicted that it will provide a 'stunning, free spectacle of world class sport.'

Mayor's £1 million Commitment Confirms Bedford Borough Will Again Receive Full Benefit of Government Broadband Rollout

Following on from Bedford Borough's successful inclusion in the Government's 'Rural Broadband Programme' to roll out Superfast to 90% of premises and at least basic broadband to all, Mayor Dave Hodgson has confirmed the Council's commitment to provide the £1 million required to ensure the Borough benefits in full from the Superfast Extension Programme to expand superfast access to at least 95% of properties by 2017.