Today's vote on Higher Education funding was one of the hardest things we have had to do in politics. I know that there are strong and passionately held views on all sides of the debate, which I very much respect.
The footfall counters around the town centre showed a staggering 77% increase in the number of people in town during last weekend's Victorian Christmas Fair, in comparison with last year's figures. We extended the fair this year, with the event featuring, for the first time ever, Christmas market stalls along a temporarily-pedestrianised High Street. While there are improvements which can be made if this is repeated, for example the markets company turning the stalls around on the High Street, it was fantastic to see so many people of all ages there and in other parts of town enjoying Bedford at Christmas time.
This week I signed the document to confirm the launch of the 'Scores on the Doors' food outlet rating scheme in Bedford Borough. Scores on the Doors is a scheme set up by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), involving the publication of a food hygiene rating for restaurants and other food outlets in a local authority area. All inspection gradings and further information is made available online, allowing restaurant-going local residents to make an informed choice about where to go when eating out.
Deputy Prime Minister and Liberal Democrat Leader, Nick Clegg, has confirmed that the Government will end child detention by May next year.
A new Shepway Council website has gone live at www.shepway.gov.uk which is designed to make it easier to find the key information you want from Shepway Council.
A meeting of the borough council approved a Sustainable Community Strategy, but not before the Lib Dems had commented on its failure to put a Residents Parking Scheme as a priority.