Councillor Carole Hegley

09/09/2026

Delighted to see Blake Stephenson being recognised for this new role, and wish him success. He has been working hard in Mid Beds for his residents, they are lucky to have him.

Since being elected to Parliament, constituents in Mid Bedfordshire have told me repeatedly that they are concerned about the impacts of migration on our country. I’ve worked hard to raise awareness in Parliament of local residents’ concerns, and after extensive research I also published a report in which I exposed the ‘Backdoors to Britain’ and made 30 recommendations to Government.

I’m delighted to have been asked by Kemi Badenoch and Chris Philp to serve as Shadow Home Office Minister, focussed on making our legal migration system work for the country and our economy.

Rest assured that this new role won’t distract me from tackling the many other issues that matter to us here in Mid Bedfordshire. Things like fighting for the upgrade to Junction 13 of the M1 (please sign ✍️ the petition if you haven’t done so already); a proper transport masterplan for the Marston Vale and further south of the Universal Resort; working to get Wixams’ new GP surgery and the long-promised step free access at Flitwick Station built; and campaigning to extend the Forest of Marston Vale and the Chilterns National Landscape, to give more protections to our countryside.

07/09/2026

UPDATE ON BLUE BADGES FOR COMMUNITY TRANSPORT ORGANISATIONS?

APRIL - We previously posted that there had been a full and engaging debate on 16 April at CBC Sustainable Communities Overview & Scrutiny committee, chaired by Cllr Nigel Young. The issue centred around changes in Govt guidance for local authorities and “determining eligibility for organisational applicants”. The outcome was a commitment to investigate organisational Blue Badges further.

MAY - A meeting was arranged between community transport operators, such as Dial-a-Ride, and CBC. With Cllr Young in attendance, a compromise was agreed: community transport operators would receive parking concessions in lieu of being able to use organisational Blue Badges. Problem resolved………..

JUNE - This was subsequently agreed by the Council’s Executive on 2 June. Cllr Young referenced the May meeting and parking concession. Solution confirmed…..
https://centralbedfordshire.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/1093363/start_time/5881000?force_language_code=en_GB
(start webcast at 1:38:01 - item 14 – Cllr John Baker)
(and start webcast at 1:47:56 – item 14 – Cllr Nigel Young)

JULY - The topic was raised again at Full Council as a motion on 16 July, representatives from 2 community transport organisations in the south of Central Beds came to address Council. Although the public speakers were heard, the Agenda item to discuss this by members was not reached due to other pressing items and time restrictions of the meeting.

In response to the two speakers, Cllr John Baker, Executive Member for Finance, gave a lengthy response explaining why community transport organisations' eligibility for organisational Blue Badges had changed under new Government guidance to local authorities.
https://centralbedfordshire.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/1118559/start_time/920000?force_language_code=en_GB (start webcast at 00:15:20 – item 4a)

SEPEMBER - Believing a solution had been agreed IN MAY, the item was then requested yet again at an Extraordinary Council Meeting which was held on 2nd September.
A Member Motion was tabled with a number of speakers sharing different views following an introductory piece by Cllr John Baker, Executive Member for Finance. He outlined a number of facts and points he had shared by email with all members earlier in the day.
Meeting webcast link https://centralbedfordshire.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/1118559/start_time/920000?force_language_code=en_GB (starting 00:15:20)
Cllr Baker also referenced again the work done by officers IN MAY with the community transport organisations to agree a parking concession solution for their vehicles. He also refuted some of the information and claims made in the Member Motion as untrue and made some corrections.

So, CBC had provided a solution in May, despite the ‘confusion’ in Govt guidance.
The CBC solution would NOT affect operational activities or impact blue badge users.
So what were we trying to achieve now? It did appear there was NO outstanding problem. Cllr Baker stated no-one had identified any further problem.

Surely the only outstanding issue was clarification from Government as they had been cited as part of the confusion in terms of their updated guidance on the eligibility of these organisational blue badges. Cllr Baker confirmed he had actioned a letter to Government for their clarification.

COMPLEX? You can understand the pitfalls of sourcing information that may not be current and what is guidance for an individual, an organisation or a local authority, and how guidance can be misinterpreted, and why officers and solicitors are used for advice.!! I found 3 reference points when I searched, from 2020, 2021 and 2025.

Some members voted for this to be returned to the Executive - but I’m not sure anything will change unless the Government response indicates differently. So we wait to see the response from Government, and when.

In the meantime there should be NO adverse impact on the community transport services, for blue badge passengers, which many residents use and value.

24/06/2026

THANK YOU FOR CELEBRATING WITH US was the message at the Priory View Coffee Morning for residents yesterday. It was a VERY warm morning in the restaurant there and those who attended enjoyed an opportunity to chat with other residents, and sample various cakes with their tea or coffee. THANK YOU for coming!

Residents were also invited to take souvenir photo prints of the 10 Year Celebration event recently, with photos taken by our friend John Chatterley - Community, who has been a long standing supporter of residents at Priory View. THANK YOU John.
Residents were also offered a china mug with flowers to take away.

THANKS go to residents who help in making this happen!!

16/06/2026

It was a great day at Priory View on Friday with residents, friends, family members and guests, celebrating the 10th year of moving in to the building. Joined by some of the business owners who also moved in around the same time, the residents and guests enjoyed lunch, entertainment with a singer, magician and a celebration cake.

It was a resident led event, and was busy from early morning with many helpers moving furniture, laying tables, adding decorations in anticipation of a happy day, which it was. It was lovely to see so many smiling faces and the restaurant so colourful and full!

Things have changed in the 10 years, and things are changing again now - new initiatives are coming on board to offer residents new services. There has been a lot of work going on around the building recently which will last for a while yet, and this will impact access to residents' balconies. So work is being done by residents and volunteers to add more plants and colour to the main garden for all residents to enjoy.

Residents were thanked for their help in the various groups in Priory View, as were Housing staff for their help towards the event. There are more social events planned and another Coffee Morning later this month.

A number of the original residents were there, and shared memories of the early days and of course the Royal visit in 2017.
I was delighted to have been invited and support a truly great celebration event.

01/06/2026

In this special week for celebrating volunteers, I'd like to give a big shout out and THANK YOU to all the volunteer school governors . It's a lot of work but very much appreciated!

Volunteers' Week 2026 is here. 🎉

A week for us to celebrate the millions that make a difference to our society, shining a light on the power of kindness, generosity, and community spirit. We can't wait to see what you're all doing to celebrate. Don't forget to tag and let's work together to thank more volunteers than ever before.

29/04/2026

Well done to Ellen Roome and everyone involved in ‘doing the right thing’ - here’s to a safer future for under 16’s!