Solihull councillors clash over potential council tax increases, with a 4.99% rise this year and warnings of up to 9.99% hikes in 2027/28 and 2028/29. The Conservative-led council faces budget challenges amid national funding reforms.
Tamworth Borough Council proposes hiking Assembly Rooms wedding hire fees by up to 220%, while reducing 3G pitch costs for community groups. The changes aim to align with market rates and generate revenue.
Solihull planners have unanimously approved a 145-home development on green belt land between Solihull and Knowle, despite opposition from MP Saqib Bhatti and local residents over concerns about loss of green space and infrastructure strain.
Birmingham City Council has recommended approval for plans to demolish the former Harborne Police Station and construct new townhouses and apartments on the site, citing brownfield land use and economic benefits.
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Dudley Council planners will consider two HMO applications, including converting Regent House into a 34-bedroom HMO, amid police concerns over parking and crime rates.
Warwick District Council leader criticizes Aldi and developers for misleading residents over store access changes in Leamington Spa, as safety concerns delay planning decision.
Solihull Council has granted planning permission to transform a vacant office building on Warwick Road into an 81-bedroom hotel, addressing local accommodation needs.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves' decision to freeze tax bands could drag more households into higher tax brackets as wages rise, impacting those earning around £35,000 and above.
Several West Midlands councils, including Shropshire and Worcestershire, have received government approval to raise council tax by up to 9%, potentially impacting residents in towns like Bromsgrove and Telford.
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Chancellor Rachel Reeves calls on Unite union to halt Birmingham bins strike, citing damage to city's reputation and disruption for residents and businesses.
A High Court judge has reserved his decision on Birmingham City Council's bid for an injunction to stop protesters blocking bin lorries, with a verdict expected within three months.
Prominent entrepreneur Sacha Lord vows to withhold donations from the Labour Party until Keir Starmer steps down, citing betrayal and criticizing the government's handling of hospitality and national issues.
An independent investigation reveals multiple failings in Cardiff Capital Region's procurement process for a £30m Aberthaw Power Station demolition contract, including accepting a late bid and scoring inconsistencies.
Rossendale Borough Council has registered new planning applications, including a nursery in Bacup and residential conversions in Crawshawbooth, with decisions pending on various extensions and developments.
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Ed Cox has been officially appointed as the permanent Chief Executive of the West Midlands Combined Authority after serving as interim since June 2025. The appointment was confirmed at a Board meeting on February 13, 2026.
ExpressVPN, Surfshark, NordVPN, and Windscribe express willingness to participate in government consultation on banning VPNs for under-18s, emphasizing privacy concerns.
A multi-million-pound motorway service area near Catterick faces delays after the High Court quashed planning permission following a rival's legal challenge over flood risks.
Dual British citizens face entry denial to the UK from February 25, 2026, unless they present a valid British passport or pay £589 for a certificate of entitlement.
Shropshire, Worcestershire, and North Somerset councils have been authorized to increase council tax by up to 9%. County Councils Network warns of a challenging three-year period ahead with significant funding gaps.
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A government planning inspector has approved 115 homes on Walsall's green belt, overturning the local council's refusal. The decision came after a seven-day hearing in December, despite objections from 235 residents and local officials.
Royal Mail has issued a warning to customers in 146 postcode areas across the UK, including Dundee, Hull, and Glasgow, that mail deliveries may be delayed due to staffing shortages and operational pressures.
Birmingham City Council seeks court injunction to prohibit solidarity protests at bin depots during ongoing strike, drawing condemnation from unions and politicians who label the move 'cowardly'.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has clarified that individuals whose sole income is the state pension will not be subject to income tax, addressing concerns over frozen tax bands and rising pension rates under the triple lock system.
The Department for Work and Pensions will begin accessing bank accounts after February 27, with up to 100,000 benefit claimants identified for potential overpayment recovery.
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Major redevelopment plans to demolish the former Harborne Police Station and build new homes have been recommended for approval by Birmingham City Council.
Birmingham City Council is in court today seeking an injunction to prevent bin strike supporters from blocking trucks and delaying waste collections across the city.
Labour MP Neil Duncan-Jordan calls on the Department for Work and Pensions to address the unfair difference between Basic and New State Pension rates, highlighting how 8.3 million older people are affected by unequal uprating mechanisms.
The Department for Work and Pensions is considering extending bank account surveillance powers to include households not receiving benefits, as part of efforts to combat welfare fraud and error.
Staffordshire County Council remains without a permanent leader after a heated meeting where members accused each other of racism and 'hurtful' social media comments. Reform UK administration faces internal turmoil.
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The Department for Work and Pensions is set to enforce strict daily £300 penalties for non-compliance on Universal Credit, ESA, and Pension Credit claimants as part of a Labour-led crackdown on benefit fraud and error.
