Dudley Council to hike fees for pest control and cremation
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.
Category : Search result: council announcements
Birmingham bins strike: Council boss on 'difficult' hurdles
Birmingham's bin strike reaches a grim one-year milestone. Council's top officer Joanne Roney speaks out on the 'incredibly difficult' negotiations with Unite, stalled by equal pay and financial constraints. What's next?
Stoke-on-Trent council rent hike of 4.8% proposed
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.
Dudley Council's £15m saving in Ladies Walk deal
Dudley Council nears a surprise deal to buy Sedgley's Ladies Walk centre, saving taxpayers an estimated £15m over 25 years. Discover the full story behind the negotiations.
Walsall Council welcomes major three-year funding settlement
Walsall Council's spending power is set to rise by 28.5% over three years under a new government funding settlement. Leader Mike Bird welcomes the 'good news' but warns of ongoing challenges.
UK School Closures Extended Tuesday Due to Snow
Hundreds of schools across the UK are closed again on Tuesday due to heavy snow and ice. Check the full list of affected areas and the latest Met Office weather warnings.
Martin Lewis reveals how to slash council tax to £0
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.
Council Tax Break: Two-Month Holiday for UK Homes in 2026
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.
Petition calls for council tax exemption for all pensioners
A new parliamentary petition demands the Labour government and local councils exempt all state pensioners from council tax to ease financial pressures. Over 4,000 have signed.
Reform UK's Impact on 2026 Dudley Council Vote
Dudley Council's 2026 elections could see a major shift as Reform UK surges. With 24 wards up for grabs, local political dynamics are set for a dramatic change. Read the full analysis.
Martin Lewis' advice leads to £5,989 council tax refund
A father received a £5,989 council tax refund after acting on Martin Lewis' advice about the Severe Mental Impairment discount for his dad's vascular dementia. Discover if you're eligible.
Birmingham's biggest stories of 2025: January to June
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.
Harborne Day Centre site sold for new food store
Birmingham City Council approves sale of closed Harborne Day Centre to a national retailer for a new supermarket, sparking debate over cuts to vital adult services. Read the full story.
Birmingham Council's 2026 Challenges: Strikes & Finances
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.
Birmingham Council's Four Major Risks Amid Recovery
Government commissioners warn of four critical risks, including the bins strike and equal pay liability, facing Birmingham City Council despite 'positive' steps. Read the latest on the authority's fragile financial future.
Major Council Tax Overhaul Announced for England
Councils in England get a £78bn funding boost with a 3% council tax rise cap. Find out what the new multi-year settlement means for your local services.
Birmingham Council House Wait Times: Holyhead Fastest
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.
Dudley Council's 2026 regeneration plans revealed
Dudley Council outlines major regeneration projects for 2026, including a new bus station and Metro link, while confirming council tax will rise by 4.9%. Explore the key developments.
Reform UK ends Conservative control of Worcestershire Council
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.
£50k investment transforms Erewash bus shelters
Erewash Borough Council invests £50,000 to upgrade bus shelters across the borough, including in Sandiacre and Long Eaton. Report issues via the council website.
Dudley Council's turbulent 2025: Budget, protests & politics
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.
38 councils to double council tax on second homes
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 leader on 'grown up' talks not 'megaphone war'
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.
400,000 homes in wrong council tax band
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.
Scala Theatre renovation costs rise by £590,000
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.
Dudley's most popular 2025 petition debated by council
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 Council hires security for flag removal after threats
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 Council to save £2.67m in efficiency review
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.
Birmingham bin strike chaos: Queues, JCBs and police calls
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.
New Council Tax surcharge rules for £2m+ homes explained
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.
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