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.
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.
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.
Chester's Lord Mayor opens the Town Hall for Brew Monday on 19 Jan 2026, offering free tea, chat & history tours to support Samaritans. Join from 1-4pm.
Essex County Council invites residents to share views on the new Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2026-2029. Consultation focuses on jobs, housing, and community health. Have your say by February 3.
A new convenience store on a pub car park in Neston looks set for approval, a move developers say will slash the pub's rent and ensure its long-term survival. Read the full story.
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.
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.
A prolific burglary gang that plotted in a Birmingham coffee shop has been convicted after footprints from Primark trainers linked them to 44 raids across the UK. Read how police cracked the case.
Sevenoaks District Council has published a new list of planning applications. Residents have until January 15, 2026, to submit comments on proposals ranging from house extensions to a Gypsy and Traveller site variation.
East Cheshire Hospice's annual Christmas tree collection is back, aiming to top last year's £160,000 haul. Volunteers will navigate Macclesfield traffic, including FA Cup crowds, to recycle trees and fund patient care.
Birmingham's pilot scheme for negotiated Traveller stopping points faces further delays, missing its June and October start dates. Councillors slam the 'glacial pace' of progress. Read the latest.
Discover the 13 highest-rated fish and chip shops in Birmingham for 2026, based on customer reviews. Is your local favourite on the list?
A dedicated knitting group in Macclesfield creates woollen hearts for hospice patients and hats for charity sales. Their weekly sessions combat loneliness while supporting vital local causes.
A heart-warming community campaign in Tarporley concludes as Reggie the Radfield Teddy finds a new home, raising £735 for OPAL to combat isolation among older people. Discover how this furry friend united the community.
Plans to transform Wolverhampton's empty Marks & Spencer into over 70 apartments get green light. The historic Dudley Street store closed last year after nearly a century.
A Birmingham nurse with a 45-year career has been removed from the register after sharing anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant content on Facebook. Read the full NMC ruling details.
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.
Dudley Council's taxi committee has stripped licences from private hire drivers for serious offences including driving bans and failing to declare convictions. Read the full report on the crackdown.
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.
A nostalgic journey through Macclesfield's history with rare archive photos from the 1900s to 1960s, showing Mill Street, Gawsworth Hall, and more. Discover the stories behind the images.
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.
East Cheshire Hospice thanks its community for funding 16 new beds. The 2026 Starlight Walk date is announced after a year of successful fundraising events. Discover how you can get involved.
MAFS UK 2025 bride Leisha hints at explosive drama in the upcoming second reunion episode, airing in February. Only one couple remains together.
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.
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.
Pharmacists warn that common foods like grapefruit and leafy greens can weaken drugs or increase side effects. Learn how to make your treatment safer and more effective.
A captivating collection of historical images from Macclesfield, Bosley, and Poynton showcases local pubs, libraries, and community events from the 1910s to 1970s. Explore Cheshire's heritage.
Dean Valley Primary School pupils ran a festive Jingle Bell Jog to raise money for East Cheshire Hospice. The school community rallies around the vital local charity as it prepares for its annual Christmas tree collection.
North West construction companies joined forces to assemble festive gift packs for families supported by Cheshire charity MyCWA, bringing hope during the holidays.