Midland Councils Ask to Delay May Local Elections
Redditch and Rugby are among 16 authorities requesting to postpone May's local elections due to a major government reorganisation. Critics claim Labour is 'running scared'.
Redditch and Rugby are among 16 authorities requesting to postpone May's local elections due to a major government reorganisation. Critics claim Labour is 'running scared'.
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.
Households in the UK could see their council tax bills reduced to zero if a resident has a severe mental impairment and receives certain DWP benefits. Find out if you qualify.
A Coventry councillor will urge the authority to explore a four-day week for staff to boost morale and save money. The motion will be debated next week.
A retired businessman slams Greene King for ignoring his fully-funded plan to save The Oddfellows Arms in Redditch, a historic pub closed since 2023. Read his story.
A Rugby Borough Council panel will decide whether to ask the government to cancel May's local elections, citing a £160k saving and upcoming council reorganisation. Read the full story.
Attwell Farm Park near Redditch closes for 11 days for a major indoor play barn expansion, adding new facilities. The popular family attraction reopens on January 17.
Solihull Council has significantly reduced its workforce by 158 posts, saving £2m via a paid-resignation scheme. Agency worker costs also fell by over 36%. Read the full financial scrutiny report.
A former West Mercia Police PCSO faces misconduct charges over alleged inappropriate relationships with three people. He has resigned and will appear in Crown Court.
West Mercia Police issue alert after homes in Kenneth Vincent Close and Dark Lane, Astwood Bank, are targeted by burglars using force to break locks. Officers appeal for witnesses.
Police warn residents after two break-in attempts in Astwood Bank and Redditch. Intruders used force to break locks, targeting vehicles. Call 101 with information.
Martin Lewis highlights the Severe Mental Impairment council tax discount, which can cut bills to zero for eligible households. Learn if you qualify and how to claim.
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.
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.
Kevin Beresford, 73, creates a 2026 calendar celebrating Redditch's 'Karens'. The quirky project aims to challenge stereotypes while honouring the name. Discover the story behind the 'Karendar'.
Kevin Beresford, 73, has compiled a hilarious 2026 calendar featuring Redditch's most formidable 'Karens'. The £12.99 'Karendar' aims to both celebrate and poke fun at the infamous stereotype.
Up to 12,300 second-home owners face a 100% council tax surcharge as 38 more English councils activate new powers from April. See the full list of affected areas.
Birmingham City Council leader John Cotton explains his 'practical' approach to tackling child poverty, defending his relationship with government ministers. Read his full Q&A.
Up to 400,000 UK homes may be in the wrong council tax band due to flawed 1991 valuations. Check your band now and challenge it to potentially claim thousands in backdated refunds.
Worcester City Council approves extra funding for the Scala Theatre renovation, citing fire safety and National Insurance costs. The £16.2m project remains on track for its 2026 opening.
A petition on housing asylum seekers in Dudley, gaining over 3,000 signatures, triggered a full council debate. Discover the other local issues that mobilised residents in 2025.
Derby City Council has spent £1,400 on security guards to protect workers removing England and Union flags following 'threatening behaviour'. Full details on the council's U-turn and costs revealed.
Staffordshire County Council's Reform UK-led efficiency review identifies £2.67 million in savings, impacting mobile libraries, voluntary sector contracts, and concessionary fares. Details of the financial strategy to be published in January.
As Birmingham's 2025 bin strike dragged on, mobile waste centres were swamped. We revisit the chaos, fly-tipping and the community efforts that followed. Read the full story.
The Valuation Office clarifies how the new High Value Council Tax Surcharge will work for properties over £2 million from 2028. Learn about the targeted valuations and how it aims to create a fairer system.
A 19-year-old man has been charged with the murder of a 24-year-old woman in Oldbury. Police remain at the Barncroft Road scene as the community leaves tributes.
Three individuals have been sentenced for their roles in a Redditch drug gang shooting where a bullet struck a child's car seat. Discover the full court outcome and police response.
Warwickshire's Reform UK leader vows to ignore council vote demanding he withdraw a letter to government seeking powers to cut school transport costs. Opposition unites against the move.
Birmingham City Council approves sale of former Harborne Day Centre site for a new food store, part of property sales to tackle financial crisis. Read the full story.
Birmingham City Council approves the sale of the Grade II listed Alpha Tower to aid its financial recovery. The move follows the council's effective bankruptcy declaration in 2023. Read the full story.