Dave Hodgson - Mayor of Bedford Borough

Mayor Dave Hodgson has contrasted the £1 billion in extra spending for Northern Ireland the Conservatives have announced to buy the support of the DUP with the ongoing cuts and closures the government is imposing on Bedford Borough and elsewhere.

Commenting, Mayor Dave Hodgson said: "What an utter disgrace. While the government threatens a Bedford Hospital downgrade, underfunds our struggling police force and slashes funding for care for the vulnerable, it can bung £1 billion to Northern Ireland to buy votes under its grubby political deal.'

Mayor Dave Hodgson has thanked Cllr Mohammad Yasin MP for his work as Cabinet Member for Adult Services, after he stood down from the role following his election as MP for Bedford and Kempston in the recent General Election.

Commenting, Mayor Dave said: "I want to thank Cllr Yasin for all of his hard work as Portfolio Holder for Adult Services. I have congratulated him on his election success, and look forward to continuing to work with him, in his capacity as the MP for Bedford and Kempston.'

Mayor Dave Hodgson has unveiled a plaque at Bedford Corn Exchange to commemorate the BBC music broadcasts from Bedford during the Second World War.

In the period 1941-45 there were an incredible 8,000 broadcasts from Bedford, across seven different studios including the Corn Exchange. A long list of internationally-renowned musicians and performers played in Bedford during the period, including Dame Vera Lynn, Sir Henry Wood and perhaps most famously, Glenn Miller and his band. BBC announcements referred to the broadcasts as being from simply 'Somewhere in England.'

In his latest monthly column for the Bedford Bulletin publication, Mayor Dave Hodgson has written of a string of major investment successes for Bedford Town Centre, in defiance of a wider crisis for UK high streets.

With the Harpur Centre owners revealing major upgrade plans, the large BHS store due to be filled shortly and, crucially, the £36 million Riverside Bedford scheme opening this summer, there is good cause for optimism for the town.

Mayor Dave Hodgson has encouraged people to 'come and enjoy the fun' at the Big High Street Showcase, which returns this Saturday, 3rd June, on Bedford High Street.

This special summer festival which celebrates the best of Bedford Borough was introduced by Mayor Dave Hodgson and the Council in 2013 to promote the High Street and Bedford town centre and to expand Bedford's already thriving programme of public events for residents and visitors to enjoy. In its short life it has been hugely successful in attracting extra footfall to the town for the free family-orientated fun on offer.

Harpur Square came to a standstill early on Friday evening as people came together to remember those who so tragically lost their lives in the terror attack in Manchester earlier in the week. Mayor Dave Hodgson was among the speakers at the event, organised by the Bedford Council of Faiths.

He spoke of how we naturally feel helpless at a time such as this, but that one thing we can do is to send a message to the grieving families, to let them know that those who lost their lives will never be forgotten, and that we stand with them always. He highlighted the stories of incredible courage and of kindness in the face of true horror, commenting on how they have reminded us of the very best of humanity as we are forced to confront its very worst.

Writing in his May column for the Bedford Bulletin, Mayor Dave Hodgson looked ahead to an exciting summer of events and attractions in Bedford Borough.

Here's the full text of his piece

At the time of writing the weather has taken a turn for the better. Let's hope it's a sign of a warm, dry and bright summer ahead. While the weather can't be relied upon, however, one thing that is for sure is that there will be no shortage of things to do this summer in Bedford Borough.

After submitting a forceful response to the Environment Agency's consultation on the environmental permit application for the proposed incinerator at Rookery South Pit near Stewartby, Mayor Dave Hodgson has called for local residents who will be affected by the development to be listened to.