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Council & Politics
City Hall, borough councils, the Mayor and London democracy.
183 stories · page 10 of 10
Council & Politics · BrentWembley shop fined £9,233 for selling banned oral tobacco
Namkeen Pan House in Wembley was prosecuted after Brent Council found banned oral tobacco hidden behind the counter. The shop faces a £9,233 fine, including penalties for the director and company, following a magistrates' ruling that called the offence a serious breach of regulations.
Brent3 min readTrust 68 · Craft 73 · Hype 20
Council & Politics · HackneyOfsted praises Hackney’s care leaver support after two-year turnaround
Hackney’s support for young people leaving care has improved substantially, Ofsted found, with warm relationships and a dedicated hub praised. However, inspectors identified inconsistencies in supervision and health summaries, while housing progress remains partial.
Hackney5 min readTrust 74 · Craft 83 · Hype 10
Council & Politics · WestminsterWestminster Council launches budget survey as funding halves by 2029
Westminster City Council will ask 200,000 residents to rank services as it faces a £160m budget gap by 2029. Government funding falls from £219m to £119m over four years, forcing cuts or tax rises beyond the 4.99% cap.
Westminster5 min readTrust 50 · Craft 72 · Hype 30
Council & Politics · LondonLed By Donkeys wins £27,000 over seized Gaza banner
Led By Donkeys has received £27,216 in compensation after a massive protest banner was destroyed. The banner, which featured a message regarding the situation in Gaza, was seized by Greater London Authority officials in Parliament Square in December 2024 and subsequently disposed of by Veolia.
London3 min readTrust 74 · Craft 83 · Hype 21
Council & Politics · BarnetBarnet Council rejects Khan’s Green Belt plans for seven stations
Barnet Council has told Sadiq Khan he cannot change Green Belt boundaries after the mayor’s draft London Plan identified seven train stations in the borough as potential development sites. The council says no direct talks have taken place with City Hall on the proposals.
Barnet4 min readTrust 62 · Craft 73 · Hype 20
Council & Politics · BarnetBarnet launches 10-year youth strategy consultation
Barnet Council has opened a public consultation on its draft youth strategy, aiming to address gaps in social and employment opportunities for young people post-pandemic. The 10-year plan follows new government guidance but faces criticism for omitting work experience references.
Barnet5 min readTrust 74 · Craft 83 · Hype 10
Council & Politics · LambethLambeth Mayor honours school staff at annual awards on 28 July 2026
Lambeth Council recognised outstanding school staff at the Mayor’s annual awards on 28 July 2026. Nicola Harris of Allen Edwards Primary School won Senior Leader of the Year, while retiring headteachers, including Linda Adams, were also honoured.
Lambeth5 min readTrust 50 · Craft 52 · Hype 15
Council & Politics · LambethLambeth Council expands Buddy Bags for children escaping domestic abuse
Lambeth Council has extended its Buddy Bags programme, offering essential items to children fleeing domestic abuse. The initiative, distributed by the Homeless Prevention team, supports families during upheaval while the council retains its DAHA Gold Accreditation for domestic abuse housing support.
Lambeth4 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 35
Council & Politics · WandsworthWandsworth Council launches Sustainable September with free events and Car-Free Day
Wandsworth Council’s Sustainable September 2026 offers free activities across the borough, including litter picks, repair cafés, and nature walks. Car-Free Day on 22 September allows street parties with waived fees, but applications must be submitted by 4 September.
Wandsworth4 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 35
Council & Politics · HackneyGovernment cuts business rates for 32,000 pubs and venues but excludes large music spaces
A 20% business rates cut for nearly 32,000 pubs, clubs and live music venues in England has been announced by the government. Hackney Council’s cabinet member for nightlife, Cllr Sam Mathys, said the measure is overdue but leaves key issues unresolved, including the exclusion of larger venues and delayed savings until next year.
Hackney5 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 50
Council & Politics · LondonFly-tipping in Barnet rises as London sees 8% annual increase
Barnet residents face growing fly-tipping problems as London records 481,088 incidents in 2024/25, an 8% rise. Experts cite high disposal costs, inadequate housing, and organised crime as key factors, while ministers allocate £45m to tackle waste crime.
London5 min readTrust 68 · Craft 95 · Hype 30
Council & Politics · LewishamLewisham ozone breaches triple UK limit as council issues nine July alerts
Lewisham Council issued nine air pollution warnings in July 2026 after ozone levels at Honor Oak Park breached UK targets 26 times. The monitor, one of only three in south London, shows pollution linked to traffic and heatwaves, affecting vulnerable residents.
Lewisham5 min readTrust 56 · Craft 79 · Hype 30