The Council's Community Hub has, this week, started issuing emergency basic food parcels.
Mayor Dave Hodgson said "I would like to thank all the volunteers who have helped us put these food parcels together and delivered them to those residents that need them."
Government must provide resources so councils can house all rough sleepers
Responding to reports that the Government has written to all local councils asking them to find homes for all rough sleepers by the weekend to protect them from the coronavirus outbreak, Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran said:
"It is right that the Government is taking urgent action to find secure accommodation for rough sleepers, as Liberal Democrats have called for since this crisis began.
"The Government must also equip local authorities with the financial resources to provide sufficient secure emergency accommodation to meet demand. Ministers must also make specialist support available to those who struggle with addiction or other mental health issues, as is the case for so many people sleeping rough right across the UK."
Bedford Borough Council is working to offer local residents help with their Council Tax, for those who are struggling financially because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Council has a 100% Council Tax Reduction Scheme in place; this means that those with the lowest incomes already do not pay any Council Tax.
As I'm sure you've all heard by now, the local elections we were expecting in May have been postponed until 2021. For many of us, this is disappointing news - especially after months of hard work - but it is absolutely the right call to keep us and our communities safe.
In addition, any by-election that comes up and would be due before May 2021 will also be held off until then. Depending on the public health situation by-elections may restart sooner than May next year.
To enable the Council to prioritise staff on essential duties at this extraordinary time, all of the Council's multi-storey car parks apart from Queens Street will be closed, until further notice.
With updated Government guidance around staying at home and increased pressure on Council services, the decision has now been made to completely close Lurke Street, River Street and Allhallows car parks until further notice.
Not only are we going through what could become the country's biggest crisis since 1945, but we're also entering a very new world that will persist once the immediate crisis is over.
I'm proud of what we have achieved so far by championing NHS workers and pressing the Government on issues such as offering a better deal to the self-employed.
Shielding constituents - new HCC phone line for care needs
If you are a vulnerable 'shielding' resident you should receive a letter from the NHS this week with details on how to access help.
In addition, if you need help with care (or if you know someone who does), you can contact Hertfordshire County Council Adult Care Services on this new helpline: 0300 123 7577
The NHS takes care of us and keeps us safe every day.
Coronavirus is affecting every part of our lives and is already putting a huge strain on the NHS and NHS workers. We want to say thank you to the people working so hard to keep us all safe.
We are so lucky to live in a country where we have access to such high-quality healthcare that's free at the point of use. It's saved countless lives and, over the coming weeks and months, it's going to save many, many more.
