Following on from the government's failure to address the cost of living crisis in the Queen's Speech, over 300 Conservatives voted against a Liberal Democrat amendment to cut VAT - preventing families from receiving a £600 tax cut to help with the cost of living crisis. This most recent case of Conservative Party betrayal comes as families across Bedford Borough face 9% inflation, soaring energy bills and a real terms fall in wages.
The Community Volunteering Team at Bedford Borough Council is holding the annual Rivercare Clean Up once again this coming Saturday (28th May), between 10am-12pm.
The registration point will be at the Butterfly Bridge on The Embankment, where volunteers can collect the necessary equipment and receive a briefing before heading off to help tidy up the surrounding riverside.
Do you create waste in your business? Do you know if you are meeting the current regulations, let alone what's coming up?
The government has just published a raft of new laws on waste, recycling and packaging. Do you know how that will affect your business and long-term planning?
Have you got the time to go through it all and find out?
Earlier this week, Mayor Dave Hodgson offically opened M&J Group's new training cente at Elm Farm Industrial Estate in Bedford.
Mayor Dave said "It's a real pleasure and honour to be asked from time to time to open events and venues. I would like to thank Jack Henrickson the CEO of M&J Group for the invitation not to only attend today but to officially open M&J Group's Training Centre. M&J have provided employment and training opportunities to the local community for a significant number of years. With the incredible level of continuous funding M&J have promised, which equates to £250, 000 per annum, they have now developed an approved CITB training organisation."
Following a motion from Liberal Democrat councillors, Herts County Council has revealed that it will cost somewhere between £275 million and £500 million to make the county's schools carbon neutral. This figure only includes schools that are the responsibility of the council. Costs for schools which are academies will be on top of this as will any carbon offsetting that may be required.
We are delighted that our Council Group Leader, Carole Mulroney, has been appointed as Deputy Leader of Southend-on-Sea City Council, maintaining her responsibility for Environment (inc Planning), Culture & Tourism.
Once again, we have formed a Joint Administration (the Southend City Partnership) with Labour and the Independents and, after our successes in the recent local elections, we have a much stronger majority in the Council and can now see our way to moving forward taking the City to a brighter future.
All pictures from last year's Halloween parade in Southend
A spectacular family fun day is planned for Southend seafront as the Southend Halloween Parade returns to the city this autumn.
Thousands flocked to the seafront last year to enjoy the town's first ever Halloween parade. Spectators enjoyed a procession, street theatre drummers, dancing and a lights display. The inaugural parade ended with a spectacular fireworks display and was hailed a success.
Now the free event will return to the city on Saturday, October 29.
It is being organised by Southend City Council with the Southend Tourism Partnership, and they want the community to get involved and join the parade again.
Jacqui Dallimore, chair of Southend Tourism Partnership, said: "The Southend Tourism Partnership are delighted to see the return the Halloween Parade, as last year's event was hugely popular with both residents and visitors. We're looking forward to showcasing the community's artistic flare with amazing professional looking entries that will be a fitting celebration of Southend's City status."
Cllr Carole Mulroney, cabinet member for environment, culture, tourism and planning, said: "I am delighted that the Southend Halloween Parade has become a permanent fixture on the Southend City calendar, and we want it to be bigger and better each year. Involvement from local businesses and community groups will bring us together and put the parade on the map and become vital for our economic recovery. We are aiming to attract visitors from far and wide to jump on the train and arrive early to enjoy everything Southend has to offer before they join with us in a magical evening of spookiness and an amazing Halloween Parade."
Mayor Dave Hodgson recently visited The Waterfront Hotel, Spa & Golf at Wyboston Lakes Resort which has undergone a £1.5m makeover adding a modern and stylish design, plus many new feature areas.
The transformational project included a major renovation of the four-star hotel's reception, Y Spa Bistro, and outdoor terrace, as well as the re-branding and refurbishment of the brasserie and bar. Three new event spaces were also added, which can be booked either separately or together, for corporate events, private functions, events, and social gatherings.
Richard Foord will be our Liberal Democrat candidate for the upcoming Tiverton & Honiton by-election.
I was proud to serve my country in the Armed Forces for ten years and now want to serve my community in Westminster.
Richard Foord
Richard lives in Uffculme with his wife and family. He grew up in the West Country and served for ten years in the army after graduating from Sandhurst, reaching the rank of Major and receiving three campaign medals for service in Iraq and the Balkans.
Following the remarkable success for both parties nationally in the recent set of local elections on the 5th May*, Liberal Democrat and Green councillors on Uttlesford District Council have agreed to formalise their close working relationship by forming a Liberal Democrat and Green Alliance voting group.
