Six Councils Can Raise Tax Over 5% Without Referendum
Six affluent London and South East authorities can increase council tax by more than 5% for two years without a local vote. Residents face steep hikes as funding shifts to deprived areas.
Category : Search result: local council powers
Reform-led Council Proposes 3.99% Council Tax Increase
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.
Rugby Council may ask to cancel May 2026 elections
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.
Birmingham Council's 2025: Strikes, Resignations & Hope
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.
Extra Police Powers at Sutton Coldfield Asylum Hotel Protests
West Midlands Police deploy Section 60 powers after racist abuse and assaults at protests outside a Sutton Coldfield hotel housing asylum seekers. Stay informed on community safety.
£100 Pavement Parking Fines Extended in England
Local councils gain new powers to issue £100 fines for pavement parking. The move aims to improve safety for pedestrians, wheelchair users, and parents with pushchairs. Find out how this affects your area.
Solihull Council reduces staff by 158 in cost-cutting drive
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.
Birmingham to ban pavement parking with new powers
Birmingham City Council gets new powers to ban dangerous pavement parking from 2026. Residents with pushchairs and mobility scooters welcome the crackdown.
Birmingham Council's £171m IT project faces new delay
Birmingham City Council's troubled Oracle IT system faces another major setback, pushing its launch to summer 2026. The project, now four years late, has cost £171m. Read the exclusive details.
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.
New DVLA powers to seize cars with illegal number plates
The government launches a consultation on tougher penalties, including vehicle seizure, for drivers using illegal 'ghost plates' designed to evade ANPR cameras. Have your say by March 31.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Drivers fail roadside eye tests, lose licences under Cassie's Law
UK police can now revoke driving licences on the spot if motorists fail a simple roadside vision test. Experts urge drivers to get regular eye checks to stay safe and legal.
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.
Police crackdown on nitrous oxide with new powers
Police in the Midlands begin a major crackdown on nitrous oxide, with new powers to seize canisters and arrest offenders. Learn about the health risks and legal consequences.
DWP can now access bank accounts to seize cash
New DWP powers allow direct access to bank accounts to recover benefit overpayments and fraud. The law change aims to save £1.5bn. Find out what it means.
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.
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.
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.
Avoid £80 Christmas bin fines: Key rules
UK households risk £80 fines for bin collection errors over Christmas. Learn the festive schedule changes, how to avoid penalties, and protect your property value.
Will Byers' Powers in Stranger Things 5 Explained
A full breakdown of Will Byers' new powers in Stranger Things 5, including how they work, their connection to Vecna, and why they manifested now. Spoilers ahead!
Birmingham landlord's Christmas plea to save local pubs
A Birmingham landlord urges locals to support their pub this Christmas as closures hit 'unprecedented rate' and business rates threaten a 15% hike. Protect your local.
Page 1 of 4