We are very pleased to share our Bedford Civic Agreement. It sets out a shared commitment to the people and places of Bedford Borough, and a new way of working together for long-term local change.

The University of Bedfordshire and Bedford Borough Council are proud to be working in partnership to support the Borough’s future, from Kempston to Wixams, from established neighbourhoods to fast growing communities.

The University of Bedfordshire has a heritage of providing quality education in Bedford going back more than 100 years. We have embedded employability at the core of our offer, delivering Career-Powered Education for our students to become educated, employable, and entrepreneurial citizens. The University has been identified as one of England’s top 25 universities contributing to social mobility amongst disadvantaged young people. Research at the University contributes to inclusive economic growth and a healthy society in Bedford and the surrounding region.

Bedford Borough is entering a decisive period of transformation. With a growing population and major developments on the horizon, including East West Rail, Universal Studios and the Ox Cam Arc, now is the time to act. Bold, strategic collaboration will help ensure this growth benefits local people and strengthens the Borough’s identity. That means shaping development in ways that reflect what makes Bedford Borough distinctive, support existing communities, and extend opportunity.

This Civic Agreement provides a framework for action for mutual benefit. It guides how we work together, align our efforts, and secure wider backing for the Borough.

Titled Harnessing Culture, Growth and Opportunity, the Agreement sets out a joint vision for Bedford Borough’s cultural life, employment pathways, and visitor economy. At its heart is a shared aim: embedding opportunity across the Borough for residents, businesses, charities, and public services.

We already benefit from reciprocal collaboration across a range of areas and with many other partners, including the Bedford College Group, the NHS and the Chamber of Commerce. National bodies also play a vital role in shaping the Borough’s future, from Visit Britain and Arts Council England to Sport England, National Lottery Heritage Fund, and Historic England.

Through this Civic Agreement, we will deepen our collaboration, strengthen partnerships and do more to deliver opportunity across every part of the Borough.

Together, we are committed to making Bedford Borough a place where opportunity grows, culture is celebrated, and every community can help shape the future.

Our Four Priorities

Our partnership work with Bedford Borough Council will be driven by four priorities:

The values of this Civic Agreement reflect the shared principles that guide how the University and the Council will work together in service of Bedford Borough. They describe not just what we aim to achieve, but how we commit to doing it.

We will work together with a shared commitment to:

• Nurturing aspiration - creating the conditions for people, places and organisations to grow and succeed
• Community first - placing residents, relationships and local strengths at the heart of all we do
• Strategic collaboration - aligning our resources and effort to deliver more than we could alone
• Inclusive growth - supporting opportunity and investment that reaches every part of the Borough
• Forward thinking - staying ambitious, evidence-led and focused on Bedford Borough's long-term success
  
  

Download a copy of our Civic Agreement:

Harnessing Culture, Growth, and Opportunity: A Civic Agreement for Bedford [PDF]