7th Mar 2008
Mid Bedfordshire and South Bedfordshire District Councils will merge to form a new authority and Bedford Borough Council will be given unitary status. The councils will control former county departments such as education, transport and social services.
Local government minister John Healey made the announcement, which will split the county's powers between the district councils.
Commenting on the government's announcement, South Bedfordshire District Council leader Norman Costin said the decision was what the council and Mid-Beds District Council had been working for.
"Throughout this whole process. Our aim has always been to construct a strong basis for the work of delivering improved services and value for money for all our residents," he said.
Mayor of Bedford, Frank Branston, said:
"This decision sees the final piece of the jigsaw for local government in Bedfordshire fall into place. "We will now be able to focus on delivering the high levels of service that borough residents expect when the new authority is created in 2009."
