Credit Unions and the Council

• encourage its members to save regularly;
• provide loans to members at very low rates of interest; and
• provide members with help and support on managing their financial affairs (if required).

The benefits of a Credit Union are:

• it is an easy and convenient way to save and borrow;
• it offers very low cost loans;
• insurance at no direct cost; and
• it is a way to learn new skills.

The Enterprise and Regeneration Team (part of the Economic Growth Service within the County Council) supports the Bedford Credit Union and a Service Level Agreement is in place.

Bedford Credit Union whose common bond (extended in 2005) includes those parts of the Borough up to about 6 miles from the town centre - offers services to people living and or working in: Bedford, Kempston (urban and rural), Great Barford, Willington, Cardington, Cople, Eastcotts, Elstow, Shortstown, Wilstead, Wootton, Stewartby, Bromham, Oakley, Clapham, Ravensden, Renhold, Wilden. 

The common bond to include people who work or live in Mid Bedfordshire has now been extended - please see the Press Release of 21 May 2008| (new window).

Support for the Credit Union is a key element of the Councils improvement priorities and forms part of our efforts to tackle poverty and disadvantage and encourage social inclusion.  We also support community regeneration and neighbourhood renewal in the inner urban areas and priority estates, parish planning in the rural areas, training, enterprise and business start up and pathways to employment helping to revive the local economy by keeping money in the community is a key element.

Community Credit Unions in the area

Bedford Credit Union
6, St Pauls Square
Bedford MK40 1SQ
Tel.(01234) 346352


Other Credit Union sites

UK Credit Unions Ltd| (new window)
National Association of Credit Union Workers| (new window)
More information is available from sarah.hughes@bedscc.gov.uk|

Regeneration projects

There are areas and sections of the community that experience significant disadvantages typically in terms of high unemployment, low incomes, high benefit dependency, high crime and low educational attainment.

Bedfordshire has 4 Super Output Areas which are in the top 10% most deprived areas in England and eleven in the top 20% most deprived.

In Bedford the most deprived Super Output Area that are in top 10% most deprived wards in the East of England are Cauldwell and Kingsbrook, Castle, Harper.

In Dunstable and Houghton Regis regeneration activity has targeted communities in Manshead, and Houghton wards.

The Council seeks to enable disadvantaged communities to share the benefits of sustainable economic growth to offer a pleasant and safe place to live and work for residents. The Council tackles deprivation directly through specific and dedicated partnerships set up, developed and supported to administer regeneration schemes targeting the most deprived communities. The Council, with its partners, has been successful in bidding for central government regeneration money in the form of yearly grants under the Single Regeneration Budget. A series of projects and services have been delivered making a real difference to the lives and opportunities of residents and communities in derpived areas of Bedford Dunstable and Houghton Regis.

Tackling area deprivation and disadvantage remains a significant challenge for the Council and its partners. A more integrated approach through Local Strategic Partnerships and greater understanding coupled with better corporate co-ordination of our mainstream service impact in the most deprived areas is planned.