Lloyds Bank and Orbit Group have agreed a £195 million finance package to upgrade thousands of social homes across England, targeting warmer, safer, and more energy-efficient living conditions by 2030.
Dudley Council tenants will see rents rise by the maximum 4.8% from April, generating £3.9m for housing services, though most service charges will fall. Read the full details.
Council leader Karen Grinsell insists Solihull will meet its legal duty to set a balanced budget despite a forecast £2.7m deficit. Opposition raises concerns over service cuts.
Dudley Council's finance chief launches a blistering attack on Labour MPs, dismissing claims of a £76m funding boost as 'financial gaslighting'. Read the full budget clash details.
Walsall Council reveals only 5,000 homes can be built on brownfield land, meeting just four years of housing targets. Green belt development is now deemed essential.
First Choice Homes Oldham secures a £110 million finance deal with Santander UK to build over 600 affordable homes and upgrade thousands more for energy efficiency. Discover the plans.
Birmingham City Council plans a 4.8% rent rise for social housing to fund repairs and meet government standards. The increase, set for discussion on January 20, aims to tackle a backlog of maintenance issues.
Labour opposition in Dudley calls for more preventative road spending as residents face two-month waits for pothole repairs. Council defends its maintenance strategy.
Southway Housing Trust's largest ever affordable rent and shared ownership scheme in Trafford is now open, helping families move out of temporary accommodation.
Scotland introduces two new council tax bands for properties over £1m from April 2028. Experts warn of market distortion and limited revenue gains. Read the full analysis.
A Sandwell Council project to build 18 flats and bungalows in Tipton has exceeded its budget by £929,449 due to unforeseen regulatory and site challenges. Read the full breakdown.
A new report reveals over 6,000 complaints about crime and poor conditions in Birmingham's 'exempt' supported housing. The council has reclaimed £8.7m in benefits, but campaigners warn the crisis is deepening.
Plymouth City Council is petitioning the Government for £25.7m in extra funding to cover soaring social care costs, as it faces a £17m budget shortfall. Read the full story.
Walsall Council's first 2026 meeting will tackle seven key issues, including costs for a dormant 'super tip', school walking distances, and housing targets. Read the full agenda.
Worcestershire County Council plans to introduce car park charges at beauty spots like Worcester Woods to bridge a £72m funding gap, sparking anger from residents and visitors. Read the full story.
Staffordshire County Council, led by Reform UK, proposes a 3.99% council tax rise for 2026/27, below the 4.99% cap. Plan includes £21.5m savings and £5.5m investment in children's services.
From a bitter bins strike to Labour resignations, Birmingham City Council faced a tumultuous 2025. Explore the key moments and the reasons for optimism as the city looks ahead to crucial local elections and major regeneration projects.
Worcestershire County Council plans to introduce parking fees at popular country parks to help fill a £70 million budget shortfall. Find out which sites are affected and the local reaction.
Dudley Council proposes fee increases for services like pest control and cremation to add £2.5m to its budget. Key votes set for January and February 2026.
Walsall Council leaders will be questioned on housing targets, green belt development, and securing funding for affordable homes. Meeting set for January 12, 2026.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council plans a 4.8% rent increase from April 2026, adding £4.29 weekly for tenants. Read the full details and impact on housing services.
Millions of UK households will get a two-month council tax break in 2026 ahead of new property bands. Find out if you're eligible and how the new high-value surcharge will work.
Local Housing Allowance rates are frozen until 2026, creating an average £2,214 annual shortfall for renters. Discover the impact of this DWP policy.
A month-by-month look at the major political and community stories that shaped Birmingham in the first half of 2025, from the bin strike crisis to council bankruptcy fallout.
Birmingham City Council faces a critical year with ongoing strikes and financial fragility. Commissioners see progress but warn of major risks ahead. Read the full analysis.
A mother-of-three pleads for help after builders left a vital extension for her disabled son unfinished and 'riddled with damp' for two years. Read her story.
New data reveals the shortest and longest council house waiting times across Birmingham wards, with Holyhead at 30 weeks and Quinton at 250 weeks. Discover the full list and council advice.
Reform UK seized minority control of Worcestershire County Council in 2025, ending two decades of Conservative rule. Discover the key events, financial crises, and political defections that reshaped the Midlands.
Dudley Council battled a £42m financial crisis, political defections, and protests over asylum seeker housing in a tumultuous 2025. Explore the key events shaping the borough's future.
Soaring bungalow prices are driving over-55s towards park homes, a £144,748 housing alternative offering single-storey living and community. Discover the growing trend.