At a time when Bedford Borough is facing intense financial and political scrutiny, it’s more important than ever that residents hear an honest message: yes, the challenges are real, but so is the progress we’ve made together.

Over the last decade, communities like Wixams and Great Barford grew rapidly, but lacked the essential services to support the families who moved in. GP appointments became harder to access, and infrastructure simply did not keep up.

That is why securing modern, high-quality healthcare facilities has been one of my top priorities from day one. And after years of pressing the case with unwavering determination, we are now seeing the results.

NHS England has confirmed £6.9 million for a brand-new GP surgery in Wixams, a milestone residents have waited far too long to reach.

Meanwhile, the Great Barford project has received an increased NHS contribution, now between £600,000 and £750,000, pushing it closer to delivery.

These are not small wins; they are the product of persistence, partnership, hard work from our local Ward Cllrs, and a shared belief that our communities deserve better.

ASB officers

Equally, I know people are worried about safety and want to see anti-social behaviour tackled head-on. Residents and local businesses have told me this clearly, and we have acted.

Building on support from Bedfordshire Police, who fund two ASB officers, the Council has now added two additional roaming officers to strengthen our presence across the borough, from the town centre to Queens Park, Shortstown, Wixams and wherever the need is greatest.

But people have also rightly said that they want the town centre to feel cleaner, better cared for and more welcoming. That is why we are backing this up with extra investment in the town centre, including additional Sunday cleaning and more regular cleaning of public toilets.

A safer town centre is not just about enforcement. It is also about creating an environment that supports local businesses and encourages more people to spend time there.

CIPFA review

These frontline improvements sit alongside deeper work to restore financial discipline and rebuild trust in the Council’s operations. The independent CIPFA review made clear the seriousness of the financial position we inherited.

But leadership means taking responsibility, not making excuses, and that is why I established the new Finance and Improvement Committee: a cross-party, regularly meeting, publicly visible body designed to ensure strong governance, early risk management, and proper oversight of the Improvement Plan.

Progress is happening. It may not always make the headlines, and there is still a long road ahead, but we cannot lose sight of what has been achieved.

Modern GP surgeries moving forward after years of delay, stronger action on anti-social behaviour, and a Council with a tougher, more responsible grip on its finances

None of this happens by accident. It happens because when Bedford Borough comes together with determination, we get results.

So yes, we face serious challenges. But progress is real, momentum is growing, and our commitment to delivering for residents has never been stronger. That is what leadership looks like, and that is what we will continue to deliver for our borough.