We have clear and explicit ambitions for Central Bedfordshire, informed by our residents’ views. This document sets out a series of priorities which will help and support our communities to progress and prosper.

The Delivering your Priorities (PDF 207KB) document sets out:

• Our ambitions for Central Bedfordshire
• Central Bedfordshire - key facts and challenges to the area
• Our approach to facing these challenges over the next four years

Our ambitions for Central Bedfordshire - James Jamieson, Leader of the Council

I chose to become a Councillor because I felt passionately about the community in which I lived. I’m not a native Bedfordian, I moved here about 25 years ago with my wife because of its proximity to London. We’ve stayed, raised our family and have enjoyed the advantages of Bedfordshire life. We love it here and I know my friends and neighbours share this view. I was delighted to be elected as the Leader of Central Bedfordshire last year, and since then have been reflecting on how we as a council can make sure that we are able to keep - Central Bedfordshire as a great place to live and work.

We’ve been listening to the public, getting feedback about what matters most and what needs to be improved. We’ve also been reviewing our finances. In the context of cuts in our resources and increasing demands on our services, we’ve been considering how we can balance our spending and savings to maintain critical services without putting additional financial pressures on residents.

This document, together with our medium term financial strategy, represents the culmination of the work we’ve done. We now have clear and explicit ambitions for Central Bedfordshire, informed by residents’ views. We’re committed to a series of priorities, which collectively will help our communities to progress and prosper.

This will not happen without the co-ordinated effort of all of us who work in and for the Council. This document is designed to clarify exactly what we are seeking to achieve, our approach and, crucially, our plan of action.

We will be rightly held to account by the public of Central Bedfordshire if we fail to deliver our priorities, but with our focus and shared commitment, I’m confident we’ll succeed.

James Jamieson, Leader of the Council