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A senior Bedfordshire Police officer has responded to a warning by Bedford businessman Peter McCormack earlier this week (Monday) which told them to ‘tackle crime or we’ll do it ourselves’...

Welcome to our weekly what’s on guide for Bedford and the surrounding area from the Bedford Clanger. Never miss a thing in Bedford ever again. From theatre to film, live music to art exhibitions, The Bedford Clanger what’s on guide lands every Wednesday and is the only guide you need to find out what’s on […]

Over 100 empty homes brought back into use by our team

Empty homes can have a negative impact on communities

We have brought 103 empty homes back into use over the past year, helping to provide much-needed housing for residents. Empty homes can lead to issues such as anti-social behaviour, vandalism and can affect the value of nearby homes.

A home can become empty for any number of reasons including if the owner has passed away with no next of kin, has moved away or is unable to afford renovation costs. But we can help owners of empty homes bring their properties back into use, offering financial assistance and advice to help renovations.

The process to bring an empty home back into use can sometimes take years, as some are owned by vulnerable residents, including those struggling with hoarding.

Where owners refuse to engage and tackle an empty property, we can use enforcement action to bring properties back into use. This year we acquired a property that remained empty for 14 years and which had become a target for vandalism.

Every home that remains empty is a missed opportunity to provide someone with a safe and secure place to live. Report an empty home, or find out more.

Important information regarding your rent increase and Universal Credit claim

You should soon receive a letter which notifies you of this year’s rent increase, which comes into effect on Monday 7 April.

If you claim Universal Credit (be it full or part housing costs), you are required to tell the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) of this increase so that records can be updated.

Please wait until after Monday 7 April to provide this information to the DWP. It cannot accept rent increase updates until they come into effect.

How do you provide an update to the DWP?

From April, people claiming Universal Credit will be sent a ‘to do’ action by the DWP within their Universal Credit journal called ‘confirm your housing costs’. Please complete this to report your annual rent increase and any increase in service charges set out in your rent increase letter.

Please make sure you do this by the due date on your journal to avoid any issues with your future payments. If you attempt to update Universal Credit journals before Monday 7 April, the rent increase will not be actioned and will be sent back to you.

If you don't have an online account, call the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644. Remember to have your rent letter to hand.

If you have any questions about your rent increase letter or advice on updating Universal Credit, please contact us on 0300 300 8042.

Join our new repairs panel

Have a say in how we deliver the service

Do you want to have a say in how repairs and maintenance services are delivered? We're inviting our tenants to join our repairs panel, where you’ll play an important role in helping to improve our service. Your input and feedback will help shape the future of housing services in your area.

We value your time and commitment, and being a part of the panel requires between one and two hours of your time every two months. You can attend meetings either online or in person, making it convenient for everyone to get involved.

By joining the repairs panel, you’ll receive some great benefits, including:

• gift vouchers as a token of appreciation for your contributions
• new skills and insights into the housing sector and repairs services
• opportunities to meet new people and work alongside like-minded individuals who care about improving services for the community

If you’re interested in becoming a member of the repairs panel, don’t miss this opportunity! Contact us before Friday 28 March 2025 to find out more and apply. Email us on: [email protected]

Access free education and employment support

Find out how Bedfordshire Employment and Skills Academy can support you into work and learning

Bedfordshire Employment and Skills Academy (BESA) helps residents access education and training to build skills that will improve employability, support career opportunities and enhance wellbeing. You can access a range of funded short courses, accredited qualifications, apprenticeships, and employability support.

Free employment support

BESA can support you to find employment or start a course, with free one to one appointments and group workshops. Appointments are tailored to meet your needs and can be carried out online or face-to-face. This is available for residents who are over 16 years old.

Funded maths, English and ESOL qualifications

Achieve your accredited maths, English or ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) qualifications up to Level 2. Classroom, virtual classroom and online self-study options are available, alongside morning, afternoon and evening sessions. These qualifications are available for residents aged who are over 19 years old.

Earn while you learn with an apprenticeship

Are you interested in pursuing a career in an office-based role, working with children in a nursery or preschool, or as a teaching assistant in a school, but lack the experience or qualifications needed to land the job?

Whether you're just starting your career or making a career change later in life, apprenticeships offer the perfect opportunity to earn while you learn. Gain valuable hands-on experience in your chosen field, all while working towards a recognised qualification. Apprenticeships are open to residents who are over 16 years old.

Fully funded online qualifications

Achieve an accredited Level 2 qualification online in just 3 months, with a choice of topics such as autism, equality and diversity, early brain development (neuroscience), challenging behaviour, safeguarding, mental health in children and young people, specific learning difficulties, and awareness of bullying in children, amongst others.

Anyone who is over 19 with an interest can enrol. There’s no need to have any prior knowledge or experience, nor be working in a relevant role.

Contact BESA

To enquire about a course or service, please complete a short online form and one of BESA’s friendly advisors will contact you. You must be a resident of Central Bedfordshire to be eligible for funding.

For more information, visit BESA’s website.

Bedford Borough Council’s unaudited accounts will be published a month later this year following a change to clear a national backlog. Last night’s Audit Committee (Tuesday) heard...

Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner John Tizard has written to the Home Secretary asking for an urgent review into firearms licensing after hearing how triple killer Nicholas Prosper was able to buy a shotgun.

Have your say on plans to help tackle anti-social behaviour in Bedford town centre – from begging to littering.

Bedfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) John Tizard has urged the Home Secretary to launch an urgent review of firearms licensing laws following the ease with which...

Ray Halford, Senior Social Work and Social Care Workforce Development Manager at the Council, was recognised for his contribution to supporting social workers and professionals who help people in need. For nearly 30 years, he has been dedicated to creating better training and job opportunities for residents across Bedfordshire.

Ray has supported a range of professional courses, ensuring that students benefit from high-quality placements and practical learning, and helping to bridge the gap between academic study and frontline practice.

On a national level, Ray has influenced workforce development policies, contributed to research, and played a key role in shaping professional training standards. He has also been a driving force behind the social work apprenticeship and ‘Step Up to Social Work’ programme; a fast-track training course for people who already have a degree in another subject and want to become social workers.

Ray said:

To be recognised for the work I have done is both humbling and unexpected. I have been fortunate to be involved in many exciting initiatives that have helped deliver great social work to our residents, as well as supporting people to progress in their careers. It’s fair to say that I would not be receiving this award without the hard work of my colleagues both at Central Bedfordshire Council, and at the partner organisations we work so closely with.

Councillor Steve Owen, Executive Member for Children’s Services, said:

Ray’s contributions to social work have not only supported our local workforce, but have also influenced social work training and practice at a national level. Ensuring that our communities receive high-quality social care starts with developing highly skilled professionals, and Ray has been at the heart of this.

Find out more about becoming a social worker. 

 

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Bedford borough communities are being encouraged to establish flood resilience groups to help mitigate the impact of severe weather events, following successful initiatives in areas such as Stevington and Marina Court...

Bedford borough communities are being encouraged to establish flood resilience groups to help mitigate the impact of severe weather events, following successful initiatives in areas such as Stevington and Marina Court, Kempston, a meeting heard.

Blocked access to electric vehicle charging gullies could lead to “fisticuffs at dawn”, a Bedford borough councillor has suggested.