Taxpayers will fork out £3,400 per day for a best value inspection of Bedford Borough Council, run by elected Conservative mayor, Tom Wootton.

Bedford Borough Green councillor Doug McMurdo says budget is reckless. Finance portfolio holder Marc Frost says it is “controlled and transparent”.

I’m at the Bedford Borough full council Meeting where the budget will be debated later. A motion opposing an East West Rail multi-storey car park in Queen’s Park has just been passed.

The Hertfordshire CC cabinet panel split 6-all on closure of Albury Primary School so chair used his casting vote to recommend shutting the school.

I am with parents from two schools earmarked for closure at Herts County Council - the meeting is starting 45 mins late because they’re struggling with technology.

Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council has become the second authority in Hertfordshire to decide to ask for this year’s elections to be cancelled.

At the Blue Light Hub in Milton Keynes for a meeting on plans to shut 2 fire stations (including Stokenchurch - pictured) and remove 8 fire engines. Updates later.

Will Central Bedfordshire Council scrap the “café tax” - a charge for putting tables outside - tomorrow? Cafés in Leighton Buzzard don’t want it.

Stevenage borough councillor Mason Humberstone has defected from Labour to Reform UK. I have been chasing him for comment throughout today.

Tuesday is decision day for people like Thomas Howe, whose mother is trying to save his day centre in Buckinghamshire.

Congratulations to a brave woman who started rowing at the University of Northampton and went on to win Olympic gold. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crg4…

Will Kettering finally get its new hospital? bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c51y…

Local scout joins 6,000 scouts for jamboree in Norway bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cw0y…

Unmarked lorry cab helps detect 89 driving offences bbc.com/news/articles/cd10kg…