Two major new regional distribution centres are to be built in Bedford Borough for popular nationwide retailers which will create an estimated 1,400 new jobs for the area.
Bedford Borough Council worked closely with land owners Gallagher Estates in developing the opportunity, sourcing and facilitating their investment to the employment area of Wixams, off the A6 to the south of the Borough.
The full, final list of council tax rises across the country has revealed that just 3 out of 56 unitary councils have a lower increase than Bedford Borough for 2018/19.
The list confirms that in addition to being a lower rise than all of its neighbouring authorities, Bedford Borough's increase under Mayor Dave Hodgson is amongst the lowest in the country.
Mayor Dave Hodgson has welcomed the rapid progress being made at St Mary's Car Park, the new public surface car park being built on the south side of the river in Bedford town centre.
The new car park is accessed between Borough Hall and Bedford College on Cauldwell Street in Bedford, and is just a short walk over the new pedestrian bridge from Riverside Bedford and the town centre. It is due to open in the summer, providing another parking option and giving those travelling by car from the south an alternative which means they will not need to cross the river and add to the traffic in the town centre.
Bedford Borough Council is installing a cashless payment system at St Peter's Street Car Park following a string of vandalism attempts on pay and display machines.
At St Peter's Street Car Park, several attempts were made to break into the machine in February. The first attempt to break into the machine was on 2nd February, with a subsequent attempt on 4th February. Bedford Borough Council has since replaced the broken machine.
In his latest monthly column for the Bedfordshire Midweek newspaper, Mayor Dave Hodgson thanked Council staff and everyone who had worked so hard, and in often appalling conditions, to keep people safe and keep the Borough moving during the 'Beast from the East'.
He also highlighted that this month has also seen a major step forward in the support available locally to vulnerable homeless people, with the recent opening of the Clarence House complex needs centre.
The Sunday Times has given a ringing endorsement of Bedford, naming it as the second best place to live in the East in its 'Best Places to Live 2018' guide. It describes Bedford as unfairly overlooked, and in particular focuses on the Castle Quarter area of the town.
Commenting, Mayor Dave Hodgson said: "Bedford is increasingly appearing in lists like these, with The Sunday Times the latest to recognise that Bedford is a fantastic place to live.'
Bedford Borough Council and Charles Wells Ltd have submitted a planning application for an exciting new employment and leisure development at Fairhill, adjacent to the Great Ouse Way (the newest section of the Bedford Western Bypass), on the north side of Bedford off the Clapham/A6 roundabout.
A detailed application by Charles Wells has been submitted for a new four-acre brewery and visitor centre which forms part of a wider development of the land by Bedford Borough Council. Meanwhile, The Council is in negotiations with David Lloyd to take the 5 acres for his new multi-activity centre, Adrenalin World, in conjunction with his funding partners, UK Adventure Parks Ltd and Burleigh Estates Ltd, subject to planning.
Mayor Dave Hodgson today visited the Council's brand new facility for rough sleepers with complex needs, and spoke of the 'major, exciting advance' it represents in the support th Council can provide for vulnerable local homeless people
The 29 bed Clarence House in Bedford will provide 24-hour specialist, intensive support to some of Bedford's most vulnerable people so they can they break the cycle of homelessness.
