Democracy and elections

Urban Community Councils

Cauldwell and Kingsbrook and Queens Park Urban Community Councils

The Cauldwell and Kingsbrook and Queens Park Urban Community Councils (UCCs) were established jointly by Bedford Borough and Bedfordshire County Councils in the mid 1990s.
Their role is:

“To represent the interests of all sectors of the community, without distinction of sex, sexual orientation, race or political, religious or other opinions, of the UCCs area in relation to proposals of the Local authorities and other statutory bodies which affect the areas, and in relation to applications for statutory consents affecting property within the area in respect of which Local Authorities have a power to give approvals or to comment, and in particular:

(a) To improve awareness of County and Borough Council services within the local area;

(b) To inform County and Borough strategy, service plans and overall priorities;

(c) To improve the quality (including the responsiveness) of County and Borough Council services to the needs of local service users;

(d) To secure better co-ordination and integration of both County and Borough Council services within the local areas;

(e) To improve links with other public/voluntary/private sector bodies in the local areas;

(f) To provide a forum for the development and expression of views on all matters affecting the local area."

Each UCC consists of 12 elected, voting, members who are able to co-opt a further six non voting members with the aim of ensuring that there is at least one non-voting member to represent each of the following areas of interest:

religious bodies within the area
schools within the area
community hall committees or youth organisations in the area
business/commerce in the area
voluntary bodies which have a general interest in the area as part of an interest in the town of Bedford

UCC meetings are open to the public and are held in the evening at venues within their areas.

Each UCC receives a small grant of £5,000 p.a. to cover their administrative costs and to fund any local initiatives they wish to undertake.

To stand for the Queens Park UCC you must be at least 18, live or work in the Queens Park Ward and otherwise be qualified to stand for election as a Councillor.

To stand for the Cauldwell or Kingsbrook UCC you must be at least 18, live or work in the Cauldwell or Kingsbrook Wards or live in Granville Street, 21 – 41 Kempston Road, Riverside Close, Stafford Road or Whitbread Avenue, Bedford and otherwise be qualified to stand for election as a Councillor.

Queens Park Urban Community Council Annual Report 2006 ( 85 Kb ) - DOWNLOAD

Queens Park UCC Annual Report 2008 - DOWNLOAD

UCC Results June 2006 ( 75 Kb ) - DOWNLOAD

UCC Local Government Act ( 12 Kb ) - DOWNLOAD

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