What we do
It is not always clear which public authority is responsible for which service. The lists below provide a guide to what services the BedsVoice partner organisations cover.
Central Bedfordshire Council
Central Bedfordshire Council is responsible for providing the following services across the whole of Bedfordshire (excluding Luton):
- Abandoned Vehicles
- Adult education
- Archives and Records
- Council Tax collection and benefits
- Country parks and public rights of way
- Elections
- Environmental Health
- Historic environment records and archaeology
- Household Waste Recycling Centres (formerly called Tidy Tips)
- Housing Support
- Leisure centres and parks
- Libraries
- Maintaining and repairing the roads and pavements
- Nursery education
- Planning
- Registrations (birth, deaths and marriages)
- Road salting in the winter
- School transport
- Schools
- Social Services (adults, elderly and children)
- Social Services transport
- Some bus services (i.e. some of the rural, late evening and Sunday buses that need financial support to
continue) - Taxi and alcohol licensing
- Trading Standards
- University student grants
- Waste collection
- Waste disposal (including recycling household rubbish that is collected in your area)
- Welfare Rights
- Youth Service
For more information please visit Central Bedfordshire home page
Town and Parish councils
Town and Parish Councils provide the following services:
- Allotments
- Bus shelters
- Cemeteries
- Footpaths and bridleways (small works with agreement of Central Bedfordshire Council)
- Litter bins
- Parks and gardens
- Play areas
- Special events
Bedfordshire Police Authority
Bedfordshire Police Authority is an independent body responsible for overseeing local policing. It has several specific responsibilities:
- It is responsible for appointing the Chief Constable and the Assistant Chief Constables and is the disciplinary authority for those ranks
- The Authority is dedicated to maintaining an efficient and effective Police Service for Bedfordshire
- It is responsible for consultation with the community to help determine priorities for future policing
- The Authority sets the budget for the Police Service
- It sets local objectives and monitors performance against targets set in consultation with the Chief Constable and the local community
- The Authority is responsible for reviewing efficiency and effectiveness through the five year Best Value Programme.
Bedfordshire Police Authority is NOT the Police Service for Bedfordshire. It does not deal with any operational issues. If you have any operational queries please contact Bedfordshire Police Service on 01234 841212, or visit the Bedfordshire Police Service website (new window).
Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service
Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service is responsible for the provision of fire and rescue across Bedfordshire (including Luton). In addition the Fire and Rescue Service also provides:
- Fire safety and enforcement - The majority of workplaces are required to conform to 'The Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations (as amended) 1997 (WPR)'. On 1st October 2006 new legislation 'The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order' came into force, introducing significant changes.
- Prevention by education - Service staff work with schools, vulnerable community groups and partner organisations to provide fire safety demonstrations and talks.
- Prevention by action - We provide home fire safety checks and install smoke detectors. We work with local authorities to reduce arson by removing potential fire hazards including dumped cars and rubbish.
For more information please visit the Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service website (new window).