Mayor Dave Hodgson has described last night's Full Council meeting at Bedford Borough Council, which saw members of the public introducing 6 different petitions for debate and many more in attendance, as "as it should be - an open council with local residents able to take active part."

Bedford Borough Council operates a petition scheme which has a very low threshold of just 30 signatures required for a petition to be subject to debate at the next Full Council meeting. The intention is to encourage more issues debated at the instigation of residents and more public involvement in Full Council meetings.

The Bedfringe 2019 Festival kicks off with the launch party at the Quarry Theatre in Bedford tonight, Monday 15th July.

Mayor Dave Hodgson will be in attendance, and on his Facebook page this afternoon he shared a link to the festival website and details of all events this afternoon with the comment:

Mayor Dave Hodgson thanked Bedford Foodbank volunteers and supporters for all that they do on behalf of local residents in need during a visit to the charity's storage and sorting centre this week.

Bedford Foodbank trustees Simon Danes and Bill Fradin showed Mayor Dave and Liberal Democrat Councillors around their Murdock Road facility.

Bedford Borough Libraries are calling for children to sign up to read library books this summer as part of Space Chase Summer Reading Challenge 2019.

The 2019 Summer Reading Challenge invites children to borrow and read library books over the summer as part of this year's theme, Space Chase, inspired by the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing.

In his July column for the Bedford Borough Bulletin and Kempston Calling, Mayor Dave Hodgson has written about the disruption caused by Network Rail's closure of Bromham Road Bridge. He notes how it's even harder to stomach because of the downgraded rail service Bedford is set to have following the Government's decision to remove it from the intercity rail network.

Free bandstand concerts are coming back to Mill Meadows on the Embankment this summer.

This 2019 concert series at the Victorian Bandstand is being kindly sponsored by The Longholme, who will be providing seasonal catering and refreshments at each event.

Commenting, Mayor Dave Hodgson said "These bandstand concerts are sure to create a wonderful atmosphere down at Bedford's beautiful Embankment. Our thanks go to this year's sponsors, The Longholme, and to all the bands playing at this summer series. Come along, bring the family, and enjoy these fantastic free concerts."

Mayor Dave Hodgson cut the ribbon as the global software specialist MatsSoft officially opened their new office in Bedford Heights recently.

MatsSoft provides software used by businesses including household name brands like Nationwide Building Society, Vodafone and Thomas Cook to deliver business apps to customers and staff alike.

Next week the Court of Appeal will hear the challenge against the decision to award an environmental permit for the Covanta Incinerator at Rookery South Pit near Stewartby. With the court date just days away on 2nd or 3rd July, the fundraising appeal by local campaign group Bedfordshire Against Covanta Incinerator (BACI) is still over £12,000 short of its £38,000 target.