The latest weekly coronavirus statistics for Bedford Borough have been published. The figures show that in the seven days up to February 28th:

• 1,308 people have been tested (20 fewer than the previous week)
• There were 162 Covid-19 cases (79 fewer than the previous week)
• The weekly positive cases per 100,000 population was 93.5 (down from 45.6 in the previous week)
• 46,083 adults have now recieved at least one dose of vaccination

Bedford Borough will this year bring you a Summer of SEND.

In 2019 Bedford Borough Council, The Parent Carer Forum and BLMK CCG launched the SEND services website with Local Offer Live. The event included workshops, panel discussions, 'speed dating' style sessions with services, performances from local theatrical groups and even a magician. The innovative event was designed specifically for children and young people with special educational needs and their parents / carers.

From next Monday, 8 March, schools and colleges in Bedford Borough will be open for all students.

The government has confirmed that twice-weekly testing using rapid lateral flow tests will be available for free to all households with primary, secondary school and college aged children and young people, including their childcare and support bubbles. This will help to find more COVID-19 cases, break chains of transmission and help keep educational settings as safe as possible.

Today, 4th March is World Book Day and Liberal Democrats in Bedford Borough have been marking the occasion.

Goldington Liberal Democrats posted on Facebook here about Councillors Tim Caswell (pictured) and Christine McHugh's reading - and writing: "It's World Book Day today - what are you reading or writing? Tim (Caswell, pictured) has contibuted to this book on 'The Future of Social Democracy' and has a great selection of children's books. Christine (M will be reading Kamal Harris' 'The Truths We Hold' and recommends 'Kind' a book for children with pictures from 38 leading illustrators. Enjoy!"

Bedford Borough Council is consulting on the extension of LibraryPlus to Kempston and Putnoe libraries.

LibraryPlus has been successfully running at Bedford Central, Bromham and Wootton libraries since 2017. In that time, over 12,000 library users have registered for LibraryPlus, taking advantage of a more flexible and convenient service with increased overall opening hours, including Sunday and Bank Holiday opening at Bedford Central Library.

At tonight's Executive Meeting, Mayor Dave Hodgson and Councillors will adopt a short term action plan and support the development of a 'whole system' long term Food Strategy.

The Food Strategy will champion access to healthy food, with a focus on children and young people and those from socially excluded and deprived communities.

Commuter rail fares rise today by an inflation-busting 2.6%, thanks to the government's decision to break its own formula to increase them by even more than expected. The move is 'yet another betrayal of local rail users', say Bedford Borough Borough Liberal Democrats.

Commenting at the time of the announcement of the inflation-busting rise, Bedford Borough Liberal Democrat Environment Committee Spokesperson Councillor Tim Hill said: "This news is a kick in the teeth for all rail users and it is particularly unjustifiable for local commuters, who have suffered so much in recent years. Following on from the prolonged chaos over new Thameslink timetables alongside the ongoing loss of intercity peak time trains and much more, an inflation-busting fare rise is yet another betrayal suffered by Bedford Borough rail users."