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Bedfordshire County
Council had its coat of arms created in 1951 as part of the Festival of Britain celebrations. The coat of arms became the symbol of the county being placed on many public buildings and signs. The council used the banner of arms as a flag until it was abolished in 2009. Description
448:
2000: Long-standing leader, Cllr
Phillip Hendry appointed a CBE for services to local government including instigating the business services outsourcing partnership with Hyder Business Services (HBS) signed in June 2001 (intended to last 12 years) requiring them to deliver a customer contact centre,
465:
2007–2008: Local
Government Review considered proposals for replacing existing county and district councils in Bedfordshire with one county-wide unitary council or smaller unitaries based on individual and amalgamated districts. The Government announced that the County Council would be abolished in
461:
2004–2007: County
Council progressively moved up to 3 stars in the Comprehensive Performance Assessment being judged a ‘good’ council ‘improving strongly by the Audit Commission with progress during that time mentioned in parliament. The Times newspaper described the Count Council as a “remarkable
523:
The division of the field quarterly or and gules is derived from the arms of the
Beauchamps, Constables of Bedford Castle, the leading family in the county after the Norman Conquest. The Beauchamp of 1215 was one of the promoters of Magna Carta, and their last male was killed at Evesham in 1265.
421:
The County
Council's Partnership Programme led to the outsourcing of a wide range of services such as highways maintenance and property (buildings and farms etc.) following the central government requirement for local services to be opened to the private sector through Compulsory Competitive
472:
2009: Council achieved top ratings in children's, environment, and cultural services as well as its use of resources. Final meeting of
Bedfordshire County Council was on 26 March and services were transferred to Bedford Borough Council and Central Bedfordshire Council on 1 April
246:
May 1903: Education
Committee formed. By 1903-4 there were 45 elementary evening schools leading to one school per year on average being built up to 1918. Council started assisting existing secondary schools and giving grants to and in exchange for a restricted number of free
297:
1929 Local
Government Act transferred powers and responsibilities to the Council from The Poor Law Unions, transferred roads maintained by District Councils gave powers to create an overall Regional Plan in conjunction with the district
318:
created new three-tier education system of primary, secondary and further and gave
Bedfordshire County Council power over all state schools (but delegated running of schools in Bedford and Luton to their established Borough Educations
369:
1974: Local Government Act 1972 led to creation of 3 new district councils replacing smaller urban and rural districts, the abolition of ‘county boroughs’ such as Luton County Borough and a new County Council of 83 members (later
527:
The wavy bar denotes the river Ouse. The pale charged with three escallops commemorates the services of the House of Russell to the State, the County and the County Council, and is taken from the arms of that family.
398:
1989 budget £337m. Main responsibilities: Education, Fire Service, Highways (inc.1,400 miles of road), Libraries, Planning, Police, Road Safety, Social Services, Trading Standards, Waste Disposal, Youth
458:
2005: Following a review In August the Council terminated its contract with HBS and agreed a £7.7m pay-of which mainly covered the cost of works undertaken and products purchased for council services
452:
2002: National annual Comprehensive Performance Assessment (with star rating) introduced for councils to assess service delivery. Bedfordshire County Council initially rated ‘poor’ with zero stars.
281:
1926: School meals introduced in Sharnbrook. National Hadrow Report on education recommendation for a three-tier education system for infants, juniors and seniors adopted in the county
256:
1908: Smallholdings and Allotments Act gave the Council the duty to provide allotments if 6 or more people wanted them. By 1918 nearly 6,000 acres (approx. 2400 hectares) were farmed.
341:
1969–1974: Fully comprehensive education system introduced by Bedfordshire County Council including alteration of school buildings, closures and a number of propose built schools
205:
Responsibility for paying for (but not directly controlling) the Poor Law Unions, the police and the Three Counties Lunatic Asylum and nominated committee members to them.
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357:
Major building programmes led by ’s Department, building fire stations, ambulance stations, libraries, police stations, schools and made alterations to children’s homes.
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and bodies such as School Boards, Highways Boards and Poor Law Boards. The first elections for 64 members were held on 24 January 1889, with the first meeting held at
455:
New style of leadership and management led to the introduction of the ‘Transforming Bedfordshire’ plan and greater consultation with the public regarding priorities.
534:
The lion supporter is taken from a similar supporter to the Russell coat of arms. The bull supporter stands for the importance of agriculture in the county.
537:
The motto "Constant be" is taken from Bunyan's hymn: |"Who would true valour see, let him come hither, |One here will constant be, come wind, come weather"
325:
1948: Creation of NHS reduced Council's medical responsibilities to little more than the Ambulance Service. Council given oversight of children and welfare.
462:
improver: one of the fastest improving authorities in local government history” and the Municipal Journal said it had achieved ‘Lazarus-style’ proportions.
208:
Powers followed over weights and measures, explosives, river pollution, food and drugs, contagious diseases (animals) and licensing houses for stage plays.
832:
818:
846:
494: : Quarterly Or and Gules a Fess wavy barry way of four Argent and Azure surmounted by a Pale Sable charged with three Escallops of the third.
1048:
389:
Various road schemes completed including sections of the Luton East Circular Road, Kempston Southern Bypass, Bromham Bypass and Ampthill Bypass
1080:
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1952: County Plan produced by County Planning Officer, E. Stearne supported 1937 Council report calling for a bypass of Bedford and Luton
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963:
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1997: As a result of the 1994 Local Government Review Luton became a unitary authority (on its pre1974 boundaries) on 1 April.
1284:
155:
1319:
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1999: Became the first county in the country to introduce the Leader and Cabinet system, overseen by an Executive Committee
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243:
1902: Education Act gave control of all elementary schools (except in boroughs of Bedford and Luton) to the County Council
1155:
384:
948:
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in England. It was established on 24 January 1889 and was abolished on 31 March 2009. The county council was based in
1197:
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732:
707:
682:
640:
615:
590:
978:
1329:
311:
War Agriculture Committee ensured derelict land brought back to farming and more efficient use of existing farmland
920:
Bedfordshire County Council: Our County Past, Present and Future – Official Commemorative Book 120 Years 1889-2009
904:
805:
Bedfordshire County Council: Our County Past, Present and Future – Official Commemorative Book 120 Years 1889-2009
790:
Bedfordshire County Council: Our County Past, Present and Future – Official Commemorative Book 120 Years 1889-2009
775:
Bedfordshire County Council: Our County Past, Present and Future – Official Commemorative Book 120 Years 1889-2009
556:
Bedfordshire County Council: Our County Past, Present and Future – Official Commemorative Book 120 Years 1889-2009
1294:
1150:
1259:
1207:
1115:
250:
1903: Motor Car Act enabled the Council to collect motor vehicle registration fees and issue drivers’ licences
132:
became a unitary authority and in 2009 the remaining county council was divided into two unitary authorities:
1222:
656:
262:
1914–18: Committees established for War Agriculture, War Pensions, War Emergency and Women's War Agriculture.
392:
1983–1987: Council successfully lead campaign to prevent nuclear waste being dumped at Elstow Storage Depot
1217:
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1100:
137:
77:
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259:
1913: GH Fowler established the County Record Office in Shire Hall (first county record office in England)
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1988: Bedfordshire House opened in as headquarters for County Council services in the south of the county
992:
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to bring the delivery of local services under democratic control that were previously overseen by the
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Initial roles: Maintenance of 245 miles of main roads (except in towns) and the county bridges and,
500: : On a Wreath of the Colours issuant from a Wreath of Oak Or a Swan's Head and Neck proper.
351:
to be designed by Deputy County Architect, Douglas Chalk overseen by County Architect, John Barker
1264:
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73:
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Bedfordshire County Council became a founding partner in the Marston Vale Community Forest (now
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348:
129:
98:
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1908: Licences for dogs and horse-drawn carriages introduced and administered by the council
8:
1244:
1189:
360:
July 1969: Records Office and Library relocated to the Riverside Building at County Hall
187:
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32:
753:
728:
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41:
449:
investment in council buildings and ICT systems and support services to schools.
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1313:
506: : On the dexter side a Lion Gules and on the sinister side a Bull Or.
118:
425:
Greater independence given to schools through Local Management of Schools
140:(formed from Mid Bedfordshire and South Bedfordshire District Councils).
347:
May 1963: County Council voted by 46 votes to 6 for a new purpose-built
90:
750:
Bedfordshire County Council: A hundred years at your service! 1889-1989
725:
Bedfordshire County Council: A hundred years at your service! 1889-1989
700:
Bedfordshire County Council: A hundred years at your service! 1889-1989
675:
Bedfordshire County Council: A hundred years at your service! 1889-1989
633:
Bedfordshire County Council: A hundred years at your service! 1889-1989
608:
Bedfordshire County Council: A hundred years at your service! 1889-1989
583:
Bedfordshire County Council: A hundred years at your service! 1889-1989
354:
By 1964 twelve new residential care homes for the elderly were opened
568:
The Bedfordshire (Structural Changes) Order 2008, SI 2008/907, art 5
531:
The crest is a swan's head and neck and again refers to the Ouse.
366:
October 1970: County Hall officially opened by the Duchess of Kent
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1922: Council's first female councillor, Amy Walmley elected
363:
November 1969: Council staff moved into the new County Hall.
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772:
748:
Bedfordshire County Council, Public Relations Unit (1989).
747:
723:
Public Relations Unit, Bedfordshire County Council (1989).
698:
Public Relations Unit, Bedfordshire County Council (1989).
673:
Public Relations Unit, Bedfordshire County Council (1989).
631:
Public Relations Unit, Bedfordshire County Council (1989).
606:
Public Relations Unit, Bedfordshire County Council (1989).
581:
Public Relations Unit, Bedfordshire County Council (1989).
553:
190:(shared with the law courts), Bedford on 7 February 1889.
993:"Minutes of Final Meeting of Bedfordshire County Council"
752:. Bedford: Bedfordshire County Council. pp. 12–13.
727:. Bedford: Bedfordshire County Council. pp. 10–11.
922:. Bedford: Bedfordshire County Council. pp. 28–29.
918:
Bedfordshire County Council, Creative Services (2009).
807:. Bedford: Bedfordshire County Council. pp. 26–27.
803:
Bedfordshire County Council, Creative Services (2009).
792:. Bedford: Bedfordshire County Council. pp. 24–25.
788:
Bedfordshire County Council, Creative Services (2009).
773:
Bedfordshire County Council, Creative Services (2009).
554:
Bedfordshire County Council, Creative Services (2009).
635:. Bedford: Bedfordshire County Council. pp. 5–7.
610:. Bedford: Bedfordshire County Council. pp. 3–4.
585:. Bedford: Bedfordshire County Council. pp. 1–2.
415:
1996: Arlesey/Stotfold bypass opened at a cost of £12m
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657:"House of Commons Standard Note: Allotments SN/SC887"
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905:"Memorandum by Bedfordshire county Council (LAG12)"
777:. Bedford: Bedfordshire County Council. p. 23.
702:. Bedford: Bedfordshire County Council. p. 9.
677:. Bedford: Bedfordshire County Council. p. 8.
520:The arms were officially granted on 12 April 1951.
1010:"The Bedfordshire (Structural Changes) Order 2008"
949:"UK council pays £7.7m to escape outsourcing deal"
877:Dixon, Rob (1991). "Local Management of Schools".
558:. Bedford: Bedfordshire County Council. p. 6.
322:1947: Fire Service became a Council responsibility
224:1891: Technical Instruction Committee established.
344:1960 Home Helps and Chiropody Service established
1311:
435:) with Forest Centre and Millennium Country Park
964:"Bedfordshire County Council Three Star Status"
469:2008: Ridgmont Bypass opened at cost of £15.5m
227:1893: Appointment of part-time Medical Officer
1049:
412:1992: Stagsden bypass opened at cost of £3.7m
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1042:
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31:
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385:Bedfordshire College of Higher Education
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150:History of local government in England
1037:
979:"Relief for Ridgmont as Bypass Opens"
876:
156:Bedfordshire County Council elections
576:
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13:
486:
117:of the non-metropolitan county of
14:
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1340:2009 disestablishments in England
1325:Former county councils of England
1065:Former county councils of England
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16:Former local authority in England
275:1921: Adult education introduced
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483:from heraldry-wiki.com states:
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1335:1889 establishments in England
1081:Cambridgeshire and Isle of Ely
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230:1898: Records Committee formed
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879:Public Money & Management
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408:Events that took place were:
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138:Central Bedfordshire Council
78:Central Bedfordshire Council
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1320:Bedfordshire County Council
1111:Huntingdon and Peterborough
1024:"Bedfordshire coat of arms"
977:Bedford Times and Citizen.
934:"Bedford Times and Citizen"
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111:Bedfordshire County Council
25:Bedfordshire County Council
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184:Court of Quarter Sessions
176:Local Government Act 1888
167:Local Government Act 1888
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1330:History of Bedfordshire
134:Bedford Borough Council
74:Bedford Borough Council
1285:Hereford and Worcester
433:Forest of Marston Vale
165:Further information:
148:Further information:
130:Luton Borough Council
1156:Soke of Peterborough
861:"CCT On The Record"
833:"Construction News"
819:"Stagsden Timeline"
1198:Greater Manchester
962:Early Day Motion.
847:"Arlesey Timeline"
383:1976: Creation of
316:Education Act 1944
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70:Succeeded by
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512:: 'CONSTANT BE'
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57:24 January 1889
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65:31 March 2009
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38:
34:
29:
22:
19:
1250:Bedfordshire
1249:
1190:Metropolitan
1171:West Suffolk
1146:North Riding
1096:East Suffolk
1018:
1004:
987:
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885:(3): 47–52.
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478:Coat of arms
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336:
319:Departments)
306:
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127:
119:Bedfordshire
110:
109:
18:
1166:West Riding
1161:Westmorland
1121:Isle of Ely
1091:East Riding
399:Employment.
349:County Hall
99:County Hall
1314:Categories
1290:Humberside
1203:Merseyside
1086:Cumberland
541:References
504:Supporters
422:Tendering.
314:1944: The
188:Shire Hall
154:See also:
1270:Cleveland
1255:Berkshire
1181:Post-1974
1141:Middlesex
440:1999–2009
404:1989–1999
375:1979–1989
333:1950–1974
303:1939–1949
289:1929–1939
267:1919–1929
235:1902–1919
216:1889–1902
194:1888–1899
62:Disbanded
1265:Cheshire
1126:Kesteven
1073:Pre-1974
298:councils
178:created
161:Creation
128:In 1997
113:was the
1275:Cumbria
1151:Rutland
1131:Lindsey
1106:Holland
247:places.
144:History
123:Bedford
103:Bedford
54:Founded
49:History
1280:Dorset
1136:London
756:
731:
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681:
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614:
589:
996:(PDF)
864:(PDF)
660:(PDF)
510:Motto
498:Crest
473:2009.
466:2009.
1245:Avon
754:ISBN
729:ISBN
704:ISBN
679:ISBN
637:ISBN
612:ISBN
587:ISBN
492:Arms
370:73).
174:The
136:and
887:doi
1316::
883:11
881:.
573:^
125:.
101:,
1057:e
1050:t
1043:v
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