Council News

Bedford Borough launches a Summer of SEND

Bedford Borough Council, The Parent Carer Forum and BLMK CCG are hosting The Summer of SEND.

For 2021, organisers have been hard at work, looking at the best way to engage with as many children, young people, parents and carers as possible in Bedford Borough and so, The Summer of SEND was born.

As part of The Summer of SEND, there are a whole a host of events, webinars, activities, training and much more for everyone. So far you can book to engage with specialist SEND parenting sessions, attend dedicated training sessions on Dyslexia and ADHD, and learn about the brand new disability employment information page.

If you have any topic ideas or would like to put on an event and be part of Bedford Borough’s Summer of SEND, there is still time. Please get in touch Local. Offer@bedford.gov.uk.

Follow the Local Offer social media and use the hashtag #SummerOfSEND

Success as Bedford Borough wins £22.6m for Town Deal

In October 2020, Bedford Borough Council and the Bedford Town Deal Board submitted their Town Investment Plan as part of their bid for up to £25million from Central Government. The Town Investment Plan put forward a clear vision and strategy for how the money will be used in Bedford and identifi es value for money projects that will have a positive impact on the town.

The projects submitted in the plan include regeneration of the Station Quarter and Midland Road, public realm improvements to St. Paul’s Square, improvements to town centre junctions and local pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, and investment in Health, Science and Digital Skills and Full Fibre broadband.

The regeneration of the Station Quarter and Midland Road will bring important investment to these spaces as key gateways to the town centre for visitors in Bedford. The regeneration projects will also see investment in walking and cycling infrastructure, which connects the two areas and creates a vibrant corridor to the town centre. shoppers and visitors, increasing the vibrancy of the centre of Bedford and promoting the town as a place to meet friends and family and have fun.

The proposed investment in our roads, pedestrian and cycling network will promote greater accessibility and mobility for residents, while relieving pinch points across the town centre, reducing congestion and creating a safer environment for cyclists and pedestrians.

The Town Investment Plan also includes a scheme for funding investment in Health, Science and Digital Skills, through expanding the current offer from Bedford College to allow them to offer spaces to an additional 250 learners each year and improve the learning environment for current students.

The plan also includes a project to support the rollout of full fi bre infrastructure across the urban areas of Bedford by a private provider, helping to attract investment from private sector businesses.

Bedford Town Deal projects are required to be completed by March 2026.