Waltham Forest Council's £19m Loan: Last Resort Only
Waltham Forest Council plans to request a £19m government loan but will only use it if absolutely necessary. The council also approves a 4.99% tax hike amid budget challenges.
Category : Local Councils
Ealing Council Polling Station Changes Impact 5,000 Voters
Ealing Council will temporarily relocate four polling stations for May's local elections, affecting approximately 5,000 voters across South Acton, Perivale, Northolt Mandeville, and Dormers Wells.
Waltham Forest Council Pays £275k Over Ombudsman Complaints
Waltham Forest Council compensated residents £274,850 in 2024/25 after ombudsman investigations found injustices in housing, social care, and education cases.
Businessman Slapped with £2,800 Bill for Lamppost Flags
A Scarborough businessman was charged nearly £3,000 by North Yorkshire Council for putting up dozens of British flags on lampposts, sparking debate over community spirit versus regulations.
Havering Council Leader Steps Down Ahead of May Elections
Councillor Ray Morgon announces he will not stand in May's elections after 24 years in local politics, citing health concerns and plans to retire in Dorset.
Greenwich Play Centre Plans Face Scrutiny Over Safety
Greenwich Council's decision to convert two adventure play centres to unsupervised operation faces formal scrutiny after criticism from campaigners and opposition councillors who cite safety risks for children.
Hillingdon Council Cuts and Fee Increases to Avoid Bankruptcy
Hillingdon Council announces £21 million in cuts and savings, with rent, tax, and parking fees rising. SEND transport budgets are reduced while housing investments are prioritized to stabilize finances.
1,000+ Councillors Sign Palestine Pledge, Sparking Debate
More than 1,000 local councillors have pledged solidarity with Palestine, raising concerns over political opportunism and its impact on upcoming elections.
Croydon Council Axes Bridge Lighting Project
Croydon Council has withdrawn support for a lighting project at Portland Road bridge, leaving residents shocked. The scheme aimed to improve safety and aesthetics in South Norwood.
Southwark Council Tax to Rise 4.99% from April 2026
Southwark residents face a 4.99% council tax increase from April 2026, with Band D households paying nearly £2,000 annually. The Labour-run council cites social care pressures and government grant reductions as key factors driving the hike.
Wandsworth Council Approves £52.3M Investment for Borough Projects
Wandsworth Council has green-lit an additional £52.3 million in capital projects over five years, raising its total programme to £470.6 million. Key initiatives include refurbishing Pear Tree Café's roof, new community hubs, and improved leisure facilitie
Pensioners Threatened with Fines for Charity Bag Donations
Two elderly women in Tonbridge and Malling were threatened with hefty fines for leaving charity clothing bags outside their homes, sparking outrage and an apology from the council.
Wiltshire Council Scandal: Reporter's Face on Punchbag
A shocking discovery in Wiltshire Council's town hall reveals a punchbag bearing a local reporter's face, sparking outrage and raising serious questions about conduct and transparency in local government.
Brent Council's £10m Deficit Persists Despite Funding Boost
Brent Council reveals a £10.4m budget shortfall for 2025/26 despite a £67.9m funding increase and maximum council tax rise, citing structural challenges in adult social care and housing services.
Councils Push for Means Testing in SEND Transport
Local authorities across England are urging the government to implement means testing for school transport for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to address funding pressures and ensure equitable resource allocation.
Brockwell Park Festivals Face Opposition But Set for Approval
Lambeth Council's planning committee is expected to approve a series of 2026 music festivals in Brockwell Park despite receiving 395 objections from residents concerned about park access and environmental impact.
Fulham Premises Investigated for Late Night Trading Breaches
Hammersmith and Fulham Council is investigating multiple premises on North End Road, including Morley's and Popeyes, for allegedly operating beyond licensed hours, with potential criminal penalties.
Barking and Dagenham Council Faces £82m Funding Gap by 2031
Barking and Dagenham Council warns of a projected £82.4 million funding gap by 2031, driven by rising poverty and service demands despite recent government funding increases.
Council Accused of No Accountability Over Missing Meeting Notes
Hammersmith and Fulham Council faces criticism for failing to produce minutes from over 35 meetings with developers including Chelsea FC and QPR, despite claiming transparency leadership.
Woking Council Gets £500m Bailout After Election U-Turn
Labour's reversal on delaying local elections sparks controversy as Woking council receives a £500m bailout. The move raises questions about democratic integrity and local government reform in Surrey.
Lambeth Council Tax to Rise 4.99%, Band D Over £2,000
Lambeth residents face a 4.99% council tax increase from April 2026, pushing Band D bills above £2,000 annually. The Labour-run council cites funding pressures for essential services and temporary accommodation costs nearing £105 million.
Greggs Thief 'Hamster' Stole £2,000 in Food Over 38 Visits
A serial thief nicknamed 'Hamster' by staff stole nearly £2,000 worth of food from a West London Greggs over six weeks, targeting the store 38 times before being caught.
London Council Leadership Praised, Housing Issues Raised
The City of London Corporation receives praise for leadership and climate action in a peer review, while facing criticism over social housing backlogs and financial pressures.
Westminster Council Freezes Main Council Tax to Help Residents
Westminster City Council freezes its main council tax for 2026/27, using £19.7m in reserves to balance the budget and proposing £59m in savings by 2029 to address financial pressures.
Hartlepool Labour Councillors Threaten Quit Over Care Budget
Hartlepool's Labour councillors are considering a mass resignation, accusing the government of betrayal over insufficient funding for children's social care, which has ballooned in one of England's poorest areas.
Croydon Council Moves Coroners Court to Optimize Property Use
Croydon Council plans to move the South London Coroners Court from Davis House to its headquarters, citing outdated facilities and financial strain, with costs shared among four boroughs.
Merton Council Tax Rise: 4% Hike, Lower Than Neighbors
Merton Council plans a 4% council tax increase for 2026/27, citing government funding changes. Band D bills to rise by £64 yearly, with cuts and savings over £7.2 million.
Bristol Bench Facing Wall Sparks Urban Seating Debate
Bristol council defends a new bench installed facing a brick wall, promising future shade from a planned tree. This sparks a broader discussion about poorly placed benches in cities like York, where many overlook unlovely views or turn away from scenic vi
North London Men Fined £1,160 for Blue Badge Fraud
Two men from Enfield and Palmers Green have been fined a combined £1,160 for Blue Badge fraud after using stolen and cancelled badges in Lodge Drive Car Park.
McDonald's Loses Court Appeal Over Late Opening Hours
A West London McDonald's has failed in its court appeal against Hammersmith and Fulham Council's decision to deny extended operating hours, with magistrates ruling the refusal was 'proportionate and necessary'.
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