Hello from Bedford!

Occasional newsletter - mainly for expats

Decision time soon!

From the emails I have been receiving, readers seem to be in two camps. Some find the whole Unitary issue a big yawn, others are eagerly awaiting the result. I am led to believe that the final decision will be made this month.

Actually, the decision regarding the local government structure is an important one not only for people in Bedford but also for the county at large. The Borough, though it has an excellent record in terms of its services and its prudent use of money, has always been treated rather shoddily by the County Council, whose headquarters are just south of the river. Some years ago it made a bid for unitary status, but surprisingly was turned down. The Borough has had the thankless task of collecting the rates - rates are always a cause of anger! - whilst then having to forward nearly all of the money to the County!

As I have suggested before, the record of the County has been dismal in many areas, and only in the past few months has begun to pull up its socks. When reorganization of local government was mooted, I understand that they spent a considerable sum of money employing agencies to lobby at government level, and probably had thought that they would succeed. But their record evidently counted against them, and unless something dramatic happens in the next few weeks, The County Council of Bedfordshire will cease to exist.

Not surprisingly, this has led to a measure of panic and, I would suggest, deceitful misrepresentation. Quite outlandish figureshave been bandied about, the "Save our services" petition has been going great guns, and the county went as far as to state categorically that Shaun Field, the Chief Executive at the Borough, had supported their petition! All rather sad.

Up till yesterday I had not experienced personally any of this deception, but as I wandered round town yesterday (more about this later) whilst roaming around in town I was approached twice (by different people) seeking signatures.

Pretending to be ignorant, I asked the first canvasser what the petition was for. She asked me if I wanted  to ensure that our local services were maintained, so I replied in the affirmative. Who wouldn't! So would I sign? So what evidence was there that services would be cut, I asked. Because if the county council disappeared, that is what would happen, I was informed.

Before the other lady approached me, I hovered nearby, and heard precisely the same misleading information. One person who was approached said "I'm not quite clear about what this is all about, but if it saves important services, I'll sign."

I also met my daughter in town, and she and her husband said that they too had been approached,  and at the end were unclear as to what it was all about.

Such a collection of signatures, in these circumstances, can hardly have any validity, and I guess that the powers-that-be will not be fooled! One hopes that the county council, despite its disappointment, will then co-operate, and do it with urgency, as this protracted delay is doing no good for trade.

May I also draw your attention to the blog by Frank Branston who as you will know, is the Mayor. One cannot fail but note his frustration.

Videos depicting Bedford

In my last newsletter I gave readers the addresses of several video-clips on Bedford, and this was evidently appreciated by a number of expats. I only recently discovered that my camera could also take movie pictures, so yesterday I took a few shots of the embankment, the market place and the main shopping area, the recently installed water feature in Pigeon Square, and a Peruvian busker performing. I have put the clips together, and hope that, despite the jerkiness in places, it may bring back some memories. I had on several occasions suggested that the Borough put up a web-camera in the shopping area, which would show just what a thriving town we have, but I gave up when Frank Branston made me feel that I was a raving lunatic! Interestingly, the local ITV news broadcast shows (live!) the main bridge over the river.

Anyway, click below and tell me what you think ! (You may have to click twice)

Best wishes!

More soon!

Robert