Council to refund second home tax after legal error
Warwick District Council must repay double council tax charged on second homes after admitting it 'acted outside the law'. A procedural mistake forces a costly U-turn.
Warwick District Council must repay double council tax charged on second homes after admitting it 'acted outside the law'. A procedural mistake forces a costly U-turn.
A Dudley councillor reveals residents wait up to six months for help with potholes and home repairs due to staffing issues, not technology. Read the full investigation.
Norton Group Holdings, parent of The Range, leads Devon's 150 largest private firms. The list reveals £7.7bn turnover and 48,000 jobs. Discover the county's economic powerhouses.
Birmingham City Council's new Local Plan proposes 15 Green Belt sites in Sutton Coldfield for housing, with over 8,200 potential homes. Public consultation extended to December 19.
Millions more electric vehicle drivers can save £3,750 as Labour adds four new models to the Electric Car Grant scheme, backed by £1.3bn in Autumn Budget funding. See the full list.
A row erupts in Dudley as a £8,000 consultation for a new Cradley parish council is overwhelmingly rejected by residents. Calls for apologies over 'waste' of taxpayer cash. Full story.
Drivers in England can now save £3,750 on four new electric models, including the MINI Countryman and Renault 5. The grant scheme now supports 40 vehicles.
Labour demands apology after £8,000 survey on Cradley parish council, funded as part of a Tory-Lib Dem budget deal, is overwhelmingly rejected by residents. Read the full story.
Gloucester City Council faces a 'financial black hole' and is applying for up to £17.5m in emergency government loans to avoid effective bankruptcy, with severe cuts to services planned.
Labour councillor Jack Deakin resigns from Birmingham City Council after attending just two meetings in a year. Residents left without representation for six months.
Greenwich Council launches new Household Support Grant with £250 payments for vulnerable residents this Christmas. Find out if you qualify for the financial support.
Government commissioners will oversee Birmingham City Council until at least 2028. The ongoing bins strike and equal pay liabilities are key challenges slowing the council's recovery.
Dudley Council faces a £56m SEND funding black hole despite a national budget change. Discover the local crisis and what the future holds for special needs provision.
Dudley Council awaits answers on a £56m SEND funding deficit despite a new national policy. The financial 'bomb' could still push the authority towards effective bankruptcy. Read the latest.
Facing a £2.7m debt, Solihull Council is investing over £630,000 in an AI programme to generate significant savings, following the lead of other local authorities.
From a controversial 24/7 casino approval to a rejected 'battery farm' HMO and a UK-first robotic pharmacy. Get the full update on Sandwell Council's major decisions this week.
Solihull Council sees complaints soar to a three-year peak while making crucial decisions on parish mergers, historic building conversions, and the Mell Square redevelopment. Discover the full story.
This week in Walsall: a rooftop food court shuts over safety, tenants face quadrupled energy bills, and a new £50m school's location sparks debate. Get the full local update.
UK households in council tax band D can get 100% discounts, leading to £0 bills before a 5% rise to £2,394. Learn how to apply for Council Tax Support.
Millions of UK households face a 5% council tax hike in 2026. Discover expert tips on how to legally reduce your bill and save money with discounts and payment plans.
Dudley taxpayers foot an £8,000 bill for a feasibility study, with over 80% of Cradley residents voting against a new parish council. Discover the political fallout.
Complaints against Solihull Council have surged to a three-year peak, driven by issues with waste collections and highway maintenance. Discover the key findings and the council's response.
Kent communities welcome a new council funding model based on current need, ending the outdated system that left areas like Dover and Deal struggling. Discover how this change will impact local services.
West Midlands Police spent an estimated £2 million on policing the Aston Villa vs Maccabi Tel Aviv match. The PCC is now demanding a government refund. Discover the full story.
Plans to merge Balsall and Berkswell Parish Councils are progressing to a second consultation. Despite 80% of respondents backing the move, concerns remain over low public engagement and the proposed number of councillors.
John Ward, 76, says his Stirchley greengrocer J&H Ward beats supermarkets on price and quality. He warns the community must support him now or the shop will close for good.
UK's EV network expands with a charger installed every 33 minutes. Over 15,979 new chargepoints added since October 2024. Discover how drivers benefit from grants and rapid charging.
Worcestershire County Council paid PwC £325,000 to devise 'One Worcestershire' unitary authority plans. The controversial cost was revealed during a scrutiny panel meeting.
The new Nissan Leaf, built in Sunderland, now qualifies for the £3,750 government EV grant. Boasting a 386-mile range, it offers an accessible route to electric motoring. Discover the benefits.
Millions of UK households face council tax hikes of up to 10% as Labour considers removing the referendum requirement. Discover how this affects you.