News

Household Support Grant Available

1/28/2022 2:14:00 PM

Through the Household Support Grant, Bedford Borough Council is offering a grant to Bedford Borough residents who get 100% Council Tax Support, to help those facing the biggest impact of the growing cost pressures for food, energy and other necessities.

The Council’s Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme provides a Council Tax Support discount of 100% to households on a low income. These households are those most likely to be most vulnerable and in need of additional support duri...

Continue reading...

Restoration and improvement works start on Bedford High Street

1/28/2022 1:30:00 PM

Works have begun on restoring and improving properties on Bedford’s High Street as part of the Borough Council’s High Street Heritage Action Zone, supported by Historic England.

Scaffolding is up and conservation work has begun on the façade, columns and historical features of 19-21 High Street (the Blue Monk building).

Works are also expected to start in February on 58 A, B and C High Street, the buildings on the northern side of Silver Street Square. These improvements wil...

Continue reading...

Residents Asked to Keep Being Cautious With High COVID-19 Rates

1/26/2022 10:49:00 AM

Bedford Borough currently has the third highest COVID-19 case rate in England, at 1,488 cases per 100,000 people in the local population.

To continue to keep local residents safe and protected, the Council is asking people to:

keep doing a lateral flow test before you meet up with people
wear a face covering in indoor places and when using public transport
stay at home if you’re feeling unwell and book a PCR test if you have COVID symptoms

Council Give Away 5,000 Trees

1/25/2022 10:36:00 AM

Next month, Bedford Borough Council is giving away 5,000 trees for local residents, businesses, schools and community groups to collect and plant in their local areas.

This give away will be held on Wednesday 16 February and Saturday 19 February, between 10am-3pm at Oasis Beach Pool. Residents can collect up to five trees, and businesses, community groups and schools can collect up to twenty five trees, with stakes and guards provided if needed.

The trees must be planted on...

Continue reading...

The Higgins Bedford Presents a New Edward Bawden Exhibition: Artist Plantsman

1/21/2022 11:20:00 AM

Artist Plantsman, a new exhibition exploring influential British artist and designer, Edward Bawden (1903-1989), and his lifelong love of plants and gardens, opens at The Higgins Bedford on Saturday 29th January 2022.

Every day Edward Bawden would spend an hour in his garden at his home in Great Bardfield before starting work in his art studio. Plants and gardens were one of the most prominent and constant subjects of not only his work but also his life.

It could be a danger...

Continue reading...

Plant a Tree for Bedford Borough

1/20/2022 9:56:00 AM

Bedford Borough Council and the Forest of Marston Vale (FoMV) are inviting Bedford Borough residents to join our tree planting event at Jackman’s Farm on Saturday 5 February 2022.

The event, which will run from 11am to 3pm, is part of an initiative to plant over 5,000 trees in the neighbouring woodland and country park to help combat the climate emergency.

It is also a part of the Council’s recent commitment to plant over 10,000 trees during the current tree planting season...

Continue reading...

The Higgins Bedford Celebrates LGBTQ+ History Month with the annual OUTing the Past Festival

1/18/2022 10:35:00 AM

To celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month, the OUTing the Past Festival returns to The Higgins Bedford for the fifth year running on Saturday 26th February.

A range of dynamic speakers and presentations will share the hidden histories and stories of the LGBTQ+ community, celebrating its diversity, and raising awareness of the challenges that the community have encountered and continue to face today.

In ‘Britain and the Pink Triangle’, Rainer Schulze shares the hidden and forgotten h...

Continue reading...

“Children are important to the people in charge of Bedford Borough”

1/14/2022 9:43:00 AM

“Children are important to the people in charge of Bedford Borough”, says Ofsted as Bedford Borough Council’s Children’s Services are rated ‘Good’

Bedford Borough Council’s Children’s Services have been rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted following an inspectio...

Continue reading...

Featured News

Businesses Can Apply for a new Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant

1/11/2022 3:14:00 PM

Applications for the new Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant are now open on Bedford Borough Council’s website.

The Government announced that further support will be provided to businesses affected by the Omicron wave through the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant.

The amount eligible local businesses will receive are:

Qualifying businesses with a rateable value of £15,000 or less on 30 December 2021, will receive a one-off grant of £2,667.
Qual...

Continue reading...

Works Begin on Kempston Mill Bridge

1/7/2022 3:17:00 PM

Works to repair and reopen Kempston Mill Bridge will begin on Monday 10 January.

The right of way over this bridge was closed due to rotting p...

Continue reading...