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59 stories from and about Wandsworth, mostly council & politics, crime & safety, property & planning. The most recent ran on 29 October 2026. Page 3 of 3.
Borough-wide and national stories that name Wandsworth or bear directly on it.
Leaders of Wandsworth, Richmond, Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea councils handed revised funding proposals to the Treasury on Thursday. The Fair Funding Review 2.0 could cut their central grants by 40‑58% by 2029, prompting Wandsworth to propose a 94% tax rise and the closure of its cost‑of‑living reserve.
Four London boroughs will lose between 40 and 58 percent of central funding by 2030. Leaders of Wandsworth, Richmond, Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster handed alternative proposals to the Treasury on 22 October 2026, outlining tax rises and service cuts to meet the shortfall.
Albert Bridge in Chelsea has been closed to motor vehicles since February 2026 due to a structural crack. Repairs are estimated to cost up to £8.5 million and could extend the closure until 2027, causing significant disruption for residents and businesses.
A prolific shoplifter committed further offences at two north-west London supermarkets within 24 hours of being released from HMP Wandsworth. The incident has prompted a senior police officer to question the impact of the government's early release scheme on communities and police resources.
Kensington and Chelsea Council has ended a £1.14 million contract for domestic abuse training for school staff. The decision, part of £108 million in expected funding cuts over four years, has drawn criticism for potentially endangering vulnerable children.
Robert Sabat has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 17 years and one month for the murder of Dickiesha Nurse. He killed Ms Nurse at her Tulse Hill flat just days after being released from prison.
More than 5,500 children across London have signed up for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library since the singer's death. The free book-gifting scheme is now available in seven London boroughs, aiming to provide age-appropriate books to children from birth to age five.
The London Ambulance Service is offering free cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training sessions throughout October as part of the Restart a Heart campaign. These sessions aim to empower Londoners with the skills to respond to cardiac arrests, which often occur at home.
A burst water main in West Molesey, Surrey, caused a significant outage affecting thousands of homes and several schools across five London boroughs and parts of Surrey. Thames Water engineers isolated the pipe, and a bottled water station was set up.
London's schools have seen a notable reduction in pupil absenteeism, suspensions, and permanent exclusions following the implementation of the Inclusion Charter. The initiative, launched in 2024, has led to rates falling to half the national average, with specific boroughs reporting substantial decreases.
Former DJ Tim Westwood has been charged with two additional sexual offences, relating to alleged incidents in 1991 and 2004. The new charges bring the total number of offences he faces to 17, involving nine women. Westwood denies all charges and is due to stand trial in January 2027.
Wandsworth Council announced a 94% rise in council tax for the 2026‑27 financial year, the largest jump in recent history. The Independent noted that legal action may be taken against the government over the decision. Residents can now lodge objections through the usual pre‑consultation process.
Lambeth Council has approved a £2 billion development in Vauxhall, featuring 1,097 flats and 1,164 co-living units across seven buildings. The decision follows concerns over reduced affordable housing and high carbon emissions, with developers contributing £79.9 million off-site.
Seven London boroughs have written to Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander to oppose the draft Heathrow expansion policy. They argue the proposed 3,500‑metre runway would increase noise, pollution and traffic, and a decision on the scheme is not expected until 2029.
Council leaders from Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea and Wandsworth sent a letter to the Prime Minister on 20 August, warning that the Fairer Funding Review will strip £108 million, £100 million and £84 million respectively over four years. They intend to use legal powers to contest the cuts, while residents face possible tax hikes and service reductions.
Influencer Abdel El Habchi, 30, denies robbing entrepreneur Catalin Botezatu of a designer watch worth over £137,000. He claims a co-defendant threatened to harm his children if he reported the incident to police. A third man has pleaded guilty to the robbery.
On 20 August Sutton Council reported that 43.0 per cent of GCSE entries achieved grade 7 or above, ranking the borough third in England. The figure, up from 41.9 per cent in 2025, was hailed by councillors as evidence of strong schools and teachers.
Four young men admitted to destroying four Hatzola ambulances in Golders Green in March, causing roughly £1 million of damage. They were remanded in custody and will be sentenced in spring 2027, while a fifth defendant remains on trial.
The Guardian says robotaxi pilots will not start this year, Ealing Council will purchase 95 new‑build flats in Acton for its tenants, and Wandsworth Council together with the Conservative Party plan to appeal a proposed 160% council‑tax rise, according to Politics Home.
Wandsworth and Waltham Forest have been identified as leading areas for first-time buyer activity in the UK. Dartford in Kent was named the top commuter hotspot overall, with London boroughs showing strong performance despite higher property prices.
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