Bedford i-Kan, a destination of choice for entrepreneurs and businesses in Bedford, celebrated its 10 year birthday this September. The centre was a pioneering project by Bedford Borough Council to provide flexible and affordable office accommodation tailored towards business start-ups and small businesses.
Mayor Dave Hodgson described Alistair Cook's century in his final test innings as a 'fitting end to a wonderful England career' as he wished the former Bedford schoolboy congratulations on his fairytale farewell during England's fifth and final test versus India at the Oval last week.
From September 2017, 30 hours funded childcare has been available for eligible 3 and 4 year olds. 1,337 children across Bedford Borough currently have access to 30 hours childcare, the highest number in the region.
Over 7,500 people have signed up to become members of Bedford Borough Council's LibraryPlus scheme which gives increased access to council libraries.
Mayor Dave Hodgson has echoed the Chief Inspector of Prisons' call for the Government to take 'immediate and decisive action' to improve the situation at Bedford Prison after an inspection revealed more shocking details of disorder and an absence of control. The extraordinary findings come after the Government took the prison into special measures back in May. The Chief Inspector of Prisons has issued an 'Urgent Notification', giving the Government 28 days to respond with the measures it will take to improve matters at the facility.
Commenting on this week's report from the Public Accounts Committee into skills shortages within the armed forces, Bedford Borough Liberal Democrat Councillor Sarah Gallagher said "The findings of our inquiry are really shocking. Despite a huge shortfall in staff and skills, the Government hasn't got a grip on what needs to be done to recruit more skilled specialists into the armed forces and Ministry of Defence, and to keep the ones we already have.
