Parliament approves Bedfordshire unitaries

Following debate and approval in both Houses of Parliament, the Bedfordshire (Structural Changes) Order was made on 27 March and comes into force on 28 March.

This decision gives the formal green light for work on planning and creating the two new all-purpose unitary authorities in Bedfordshire, already underway, to be stepped up. The new Central Bedfordshire and the new Bedford unitary councils will formally start providing efficient, effective public services from the beginning of April 2009.

The first meeting of the new Shadow Authority for Central Bedfordshire will be on 10 April at 7.00 p.m. at Priory House, Chicksands. The meeting is open to the public.