Plymouth Council Seeks £25.7m to Plug £17m Budget Shortfall
Plymouth City Council is petitioning the Government for £25.7m in extra funding to cover soaring social care costs, as it faces a £17m budget shortfall. Read the full story.
Category : Search result: council budget shortfall
Millions to get £975 pay rise from April
Chancellor Rachel Reeves' Autumn Budget confirms a National Minimum Wage rise. Find out the exact date and how much you'll get based on your age.
Pension savers face £26,000 yearly shortfall
Experts warn of a stark mismatch between retirement expectations and reality, with a typical pension pot falling £26,000 short annually of a comfortable income. Discover the urgent calls for reform.
Coventry Council to debate four-day working week
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.
Fury over new parking charges at Worcester beauty spots
Worcestershire County Council plans to introduce car park charges at beauty spots like Worcester Woods to bridge a £72m funding gap, sparking anger from residents and visitors. Read the full story.
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.
New parking charges planned for Worcestershire beauty spots
Worcestershire County Council plans to introduce parking fees at popular country parks to help fill a £70 million budget shortfall. Find out which sites are affected and the local reaction.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
New parking fees for Sutton Park, Lickey Hills, and Sheldon
Birmingham City Council confirms new parking charges at Sutton Park, Lickey Hills, and Sheldon Country Park from 2026. Find out the costs and the political backlash.
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.
Make Your December Wage Stretch to January
Struggling with the long gap to January payday? Financial expert Aseem Munshi shares four practical budgeting and saving strategies to help Brits manage their finances through the festive hangover.
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 Park Parking Charges Row for 2026
Birmingham City Council plans new parking fees at three major parks in 2026 to raise funds, sparking fierce opposition from residents and political parties. Find out the details and what it means for visitors.
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.
Warwickshire Council Leader Defies Vote on School Transport
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's Harborne Day Centre to become food store
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.
West Midlands Police faces £41m cuts, officer losses
West Midlands Police could lose £41.1m in funding by 2026, risking 520 officers and neighbourhood policing. Commissioner warns of a 'postcode lottery' and urges government action.
Birmingham's 2026 leaders face strict financial controls
Future Birmingham council leaders elected in 2026 will lack full autonomy, bound by a government-imposed action plan to ensure financial stability. Discover the binding roadmap for recovery.
Calls to reverse Dudley's grit bin policy
Campaigners demand Dudley Council reinstates 500 removed grit bins, warning the cost-cutting move risks safety on icy hills. Read the full story and see the petition.
Birmingham's new council leaders will have limited freedom
Government commissioners will oversee Birmingham City Council after the 2026 elections, restricting new leaders' autonomy with a strict action plan. Discover the roadmap for recovery.
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