While the past few months have brought significant demand-led challenges in Children’s Services, Adult Social Care, and Temporary Accommodation, it’s important to recognise and celebrate the many positive developments unfolding across our Borough both today and in the months ahead.
Celebrating these achievements reflects our resilience and our shared commitment to building a brighter future for everyone in our community.
Bedford International Athletics Stadium Refurb
The newly refurbished Bedford International Athletics Stadium successfully hosted a major international athletics event last week, demonstrating that the Borough can deliver high quality sporting facilities capable of attracting large scale competitions and inspiring the next generation of athletes.
And it’s not just sport. There’s a renewed sense of confidence and momentum across the Borough, with more good news on the way.
Coming Back Bigger and Better
The River Festival returns this year bigger and better than ever. It is not only Bedford’s, but one of the region’s biggest and best loved events, bringing the community together and attracting visitors into the town.
With more to see and do from cultural showcases and family activities, the festival will bring residents and visitors together to give a real boost to local shops and cafes in the Town Centre.
I am really looking forward to it.
Centre of the Universe
Momentum is also building around the Universal development, with the organisation now taking the top floor in the Council building. This gives them a strong presence in the Borough that will help to speed up engagement with local partners.
It’s a clear vote of confidence in Bedford as a destination for investment, jobs and long-term opportunity.
GP surgeries on the way
New GP surgeries are a clear and non-negotiable priority for us. We have already approved the plan for new purpose-built surgery’s in Wixams and Wootton and set aside funding for it in our capital programme.
My mission is a simple one, to make it easier for residents to get a GP appointment and ensure local services keep pace as our communities grow.
A Town Centre on the up swing
The Town Centre is showing clear signs of recovery.
There is a strong sense of “buzz” in our Town Centre as footfall continues to rise with more and more people choosing to shop, work and enjoy their free time locally - supported by events and renewed business activity.
Encouragingly, crime in the Town Centre has fallen, reflecting the impact of targeted enforcement (new anti-social behaviour officers), partnership working and visible presence on the streets.
A positive future on the horizon
Bedford Borough is demonstrating what can be achieved when communities, businesses and public services pull in the same direction. The focus remains on delivering tangible improvements that residents can see and feel in their daily lives, from safer streets to stronger services and a thriving local economy.
This is a Borough on the up, confident, ambitious and determined to build an even brighter future.
