Today is Bedfordshire Day and we are, of course, be flying the Bedfordshire Flag at Borough Hall.

Bedfordshire Day takes place on the anniversary of John Bunyan's Birth. You can find out more about John Bunyan and the world-famous Pilgrim's Progress at the John Bunyan Museum's website at https://www.bunyanmeeting.co.uk/all-about-bunyan.

Bedford Borough Council have announced that they've now received funding through both public and corporate sponsorships and grant funding for over 110 street and celebration trees through their partnership with Trees for Streets.

Residents and businesses from across the local area have been taking part in the programme both individually and by coming together with neighbours, friends and family to sponsor either a tree on their street or a celebration tree in one of Bedford Borough's award winning parks.

Museum Shop Sunday returns to The Higgins Bedford on Sunday 28th November, inviting the public to join in some festive shopping and free family Christmas crafts.

Museum Shop Sunday is a great way for shoppers to support their local museum this Christmas. The Higgins Bedford joins over 1,600 cultural venues worldwide to celebrate Museum Shop Sunday and highlight the vital role of shops in sustaining arts, culture and heritage attractions.

At a meeting of the Executive last night, several new project proposals were announced to enhance the local environment. The proposals set out funding for a pavement cleaning machine, protective measures for parks, a major play area refurbishment programme, tree planting, footway renewal and verge protection.

In the recent Budget announcement, it was revealed that the government have failed to grant any of the £15 million of Levelling Up funding to Kempston that Bedford Borough Council had bid for. Commenting on this announcement, Mayor Dave Hodgson said "I am very disappointed with this outcome. The funds could've been used to greatly boost the economic vitality of the town centre, by regenerating the existing spaces and improving the walking and cycling infrastructure. The Saxon Centre is one of the focal points of Kempston Town Centre and it is disappointing we were not granted the funds to regenerate the area."

14,273 low income households in Bedford Borough are paying too much for their broadband because the Government has not exercised the power it has to force providers to offer cheaper tariffs, an analysis by the Liberal Democrats has found.

So-called 'social tariffs', which typically offer broadband access between £10 and £20 a month, are only currently offered by some providers. But changes to the law that came into force last year mean that the Government now has the ability to force broadband providers to offer these cheaper deals to low income households.

This week is Bedfordshire Flood Preparedness Week, where local partners including Bedford Borough Council, Central Bedfordshire Council, Bedfordshire Police and Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue will be giving out advice to help people get ready for, and stay safe during a flood.

This week coincides with the Environment Agency's national Flood Action Week.

Bedford Borough Council's Sports Development team has won a Mental Health and Wellbeing Award in the "Support During the Pandemic" category.

The award, which is administered by The Mental Health and Wellbeing Awards, is for the work that the Council's team has done to keep residents active during the pandemic, alongside bringing together isolated and vulnerable members of the community.