Dunstable Independents

19/05/2026

19/05/2026

Thank-you so much to all those that attended my Mayor making ceremony last night. It really is such an honour and privilege to become Mayor of Dunstable. I can’t express how proud I am, I will do my best to serve the town and residents to the best of my ability and look forward to making many more friendships throughout my Mayoral year. Kind regards and best wishes to you all.

Cllr Richard Attwell (Mayor of Dunstable 2026/27).

16/05/2026

Deputy Mayor Councillor Richard Attwell at today's Round the World event at Priory Gardens, researching Dunstable's history with Freeman of the Town Mr. John Buckledee.
The event is on until 4pm and has plenty for all ages. There is also an extensive market on the Square.

16/05/2026

A very popular annual event.

15/05/2026

Yesterday's by-election in Dunstable East ward resulted in a win for the Reform party. A party that has extensive resources . However, we were impressed by our candidate Leona Sydney, who was drafted in at short notice, had minimal social media content but put in a lot of leg work not withstanding she is a working wife and mum of three. As a result she polled higher than the ex-mayor and outgoing ex-councillor who was disqualified for not attending meetings for 6 months. Perhaps her supporters had decided that they were not being properly represented at council meetings, even though they had extensive social media content.

With a year to the end of the current term for Town Councillors, Dunstable Independents councillors will continue to support their constituents and the Town. On that note Cllr Nicholas Kotarski will be off to the MUGA off Jardine Way this weekend with basketballs for use by the residents of Dunstable.

Thanks to all those who assisted Leona and those that cast their vote in her favour.

15/05/2026

Just in case any Dunstable residents start getting similar messages.

⚠️ A resident has reported receiving an email claiming they will have a home visit to check smoke alarms, with a £500 charge for homes without a working alarm.
This is a scam and we would never charge to carry out a home fire safety visit.

🔗 If you receive similar messages, please let us know by visiting https://orlo.uk/HsUtp
🔗 You can also use our free home fire safety self-check to get a personalised action plan and see whether you need a home visit https://orlo.uk/DO0yk

07/05/2026

Families invited free to drop-in sessions

Our Early Years and Childcare team will be visiting local libraries to help families understand their eligibility for funded places for 2-year-olds, apply for childcare funding, and find suitable childcare.

12/03/2026

Invitation to Dunstable’s Annual Town Meeting
Monday 23 March 2026
Central Bedfordshire College, Dunstable Campus, Kingsway, Dunstable Beds, LU5 4HG

Every year the Town Mayor of Dunstable hosts the Annual Town Meeting. This gives a chance for anyone who lives in the town to raise any issue and to hear about work to improve the town. This year the Annual Town Meeting is being held at Central Bedfordshire College, Kingsway Campus, Beds, LU5 4HG (Front Restaurant area) on Monday 23 March at 7 pm.

Whilst the meeting will include the opportunity to ask questions about anything relating to Dunstable, the theme will be Volunteering.

The Community Services Team of Dunstable Town Council will showcase how the Town Council collaborates with voluntary organisations and the benefits they offer to the community.

Speakers from Community Volunteering Service and Dunstable in Bloom will also be present to summarise how they support the community in Dunstable.

The meeting will be streamed live on YouTube: www.youtube.com/

Members of the public and businesses who are unable to attend, are welcome to raise questions one week prior to the meeting. Please email [email protected].

We hope to see you there,

Yours faithfully

Jackie Carrington

Democratic Services Manager

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20/02/2026

Great news for Dunstable!!
Dunstable Independents Initiative Helps Secure Funding Success for Vital Town Centre Services.

An initiative led by Dunstable Independents Councillor Richard Attwell has helped secure a vital win for our town and residents in preventing funding cuts to essential local services in Dunstable.

"After attending the Town and Parish Council Draft Budget meeting at Central Bedfordshire Council Chicksands, where I personally lobbied executive members, and encouraged as many residents and councillors to respond to the budget consultation questionnaire with the clear aim to demonstrate strong public support for withdrawing the proposed funding cuts from the final agreed budget, I am delighted to confirm that the proposed reduction in funding for Citizens Advice has now been removed from the final budget. In addition, the potential cut to Grove Theatre funding has, at the very least, been deferred until next year for further consideration.

This is hugely important and extremely positive news for our town. The proposed 10% cut would have been devastating for Citizens Advice, particularly given the short notice and especially during the on-going cost-of-living crisis, where so many local residents rely so heavily on Citizens Advice for vital support, even a modest reduction could have seriously undermined its ability to operate effectively.

🙏 A huge thank you - I would like to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who took the time to respond to the consultation - your voices truly made a difference in protecting these crucial services for our community. Your efforts were essential and clearly pivotal in helping to protect funding for this crucial service, delivered by many who give their time selflessly on a voluntary basis.

A further encouraging outcome from the meeting was the strong support expressed for earlier and closer collaboration between Central Bedfordshire Council and town and parish councils in future. I raised the view that improved joint working could deliver significant efficiencies and mutual benefits in managing costs. This position was widely supported, and it was acknowledged that there is real scope for improvement in this area in future. Importantly, a clear willingness to strengthen engagement, collaboration and partnership going forward was expressed — an opportunity that can only benefit Dunstable.

Thank-you for all your fabulous support.

Together, we can continue standing up for Dunstable. 💙

Cllr Richard Attwell

Deputy Mayor 2025-26
Councillor Dunstable West Ward & Leader of Dunstable Independents"

Please note Citizens Advice are still looking for volunteers to deliver their services. Please contact them for further details.

17/02/2026

Dunstable Independents Cllr Nicholas Kotarski was asked by residents of Downside attending St Augustine's church coffee mornings if there was any chance of getting a bench put in near the church and Mayfield Road shops. After some research he found there was a sum of money being held by Dunstable Joint Committee for town projects. After assistance from DTC and CBC a proposal was put to the committee for 2 benches, 1 at the green by the church and 1 by Mayfield Road shops. The project has come to fruition this week although with a slight hiccup. Both benches have been installed at the green. CBC have also indicated they are going to use this opportunity to plant bulbs in the area of the benches to improve the look of the area. A further proposal will be submitted to hopefully get a bench installed at the shops as per the original plan.
Author Cllr Nicholas Kotarski
Dunstable Independents