Latest news with #PujaBedi
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Councillor who faced intimidation 'won't be cowed'
A councillor who faced aggressive and threatening behaviour from a colleague said she "won't be cowed by fear and intimidation". A Slough Borough Council investigation found Puja Bedi was made to feel "horrendous fear for her safety" by fellow Conservative councillor Iftakhar Ahmed in October 2023. She told colleagues at a meeting on Thursday that she had been driven to talk about what happened by the "wider story of women and girls in this borough and across our country who have suffered any form of abuse or intimidation". Ahmed defended his behaviour and accused the council's standards committee, which found against him, of trying "to suppress my democratic voice". Councillor Bedi also told councillors how she had been diagnosed with bowel cancer late last year – "a profoundly shocking and life-altering discovery". But she said she was now "beyond grateful to stand here cancer-free". She said: "Everything I have faced has only strengthened my resolve to focus on what truly matters." She was speaking during a discussion on a new "members' pledge" committing councillors to "respectful debate" in "safe and welcoming spaces". Liberal Democrat councillor Sabia Akram said she approached the council about introducing the pledge – an idea she said was "driven by personal experience". She said women in the council "have felt often like there isn't a safe place to speak or speak out" and "have experienced sexism and misogyny, discrimination". Ahmed was found to have made "aggressive and threatening gestures" towards Bedi at a meeting about traffic measures. The investigation found onlookers were "legitimately fearful of what [Ahmed] might do" and that two people had to "interpose themselves" between him and Bedi. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, and X. Censured councillor will not apologise Councillor censured after 'threatening' behaviour Slough Borough Council
BBC News
19-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Slough councillor who faced intimidation 'won't be cowed'
A councillor who faced aggressive and threatening behaviour from a colleague said she "won't be cowed by fear and intimidation".A Slough Borough Council investigation found Puja Bedi was made to feel "horrendous fear for her safety" by fellow Conservative councillor Iftakhar Ahmed in October told colleagues at a meeting on Thursday that she had been driven to talk about what happened by the "wider story of women and girls in this borough and across our country who have suffered any form of abuse or intimidation". Ahmed defended his behaviour and accused the council's standards committee, which found against him, of trying "to suppress my democratic voice". Councillor Bedi also told councillors how she had been diagnosed with bowel cancer late last year – "a profoundly shocking and life-altering discovery".But she said she was now "beyond grateful to stand here cancer-free".She said: "Everything I have faced has only strengthened my resolve to focus on what truly matters."She was speaking during a discussion on a new "members' pledge" committing councillors to "respectful debate" in "safe and welcoming spaces". Liberal Democrat councillor Sabia Akram said she approached the council about introducing the pledge – an idea she said was "driven by personal experience".She said women in the council "have felt often like there isn't a safe place to speak or speak out" and "have experienced sexism and misogyny, discrimination".Ahmed was found to have made "aggressive and threatening gestures" towards Bedi at a meeting about traffic measures. The investigation found onlookers were "legitimately fearful of what [Ahmed] might do" and that two people had to "interpose themselves" between him and Bedi. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, and X.
BBC News
16-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Cippenham and Langley libraries will not close
Two libraries that were under threat of closure will now be kept open, a council has Borough Council announced plans to close Cippenham and Langley libraries in December, prompting a petition against the proposals that was signed by 2,000 council ran a consultation on the plans, which residents used to share their "passion for libraries and communities", according to lead member of education and children's services Puja said the council had "already started scoping ideas" for how all four of Slough's libraries could stay open. 'Huge response' "The consultation was undertaken because there was a concern the library service was not fit for purpose and this needed to be reviewed," she said."We had such a huge response to the consultation... we have listened to residents' views and will not be closing any libraries."She said the consultation had shown the libraries were used for more than just borrowing books - they were also social meeting places and educational environments. Chandra Kondepudi, who led the campaign to save the libraries, welcomed the news and said he was "grateful" for the support from the community."They made it clear the libraries are essential for learning and connection," he said there was no community centre in Langley, which was why the library was so are four libraries in Slough - The Curve, Britwell, Langley and Cippenham - but only Langley and Cippenham were under threat of council said it was considering continuing with the current model, but was considering moving to a family hub model in Cippenham.A meeting on Cippenham's future delivery model will take place on 19 May. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
