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Council & Politics
City Hall, borough councils, the Mayor and London democracy.
319 stories · page 13 of 17
Council & Politics · HackneyMossbourne Victoria Park Academy found to use shouting as routine practice
A December 2025 review of Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy in Hackney found shouting at pupils was a routine practice, not an exception. The report, led by Sir Alan Wood, described it as a cultural issue, with evidence spanning 15 years. Staff surveys and testimony revealed pressure to adopt harsh methods, including public reprimands.
Hackney5 min readTrust 74 · Craft 87 · Hype 30
Council & Politics · WestminsterWestminster Council proposes Soho pub rules to curb standing drinkers
Westminster Council has proposed new licensing rules for Soho pubs to limit standing drinkers, citing safety concerns. The draft policy includes stricter opening times and a Cumulative Impact Zone for the West End. The council claims the Met Police’s objections are the biggest barrier to nightlife in the area.
Westminster5 min readTrust 74 · Craft 83 · Hype 21
Council & Politics · BarnetKemi Badenoch keeps far-right convict as adviser despite Barnet Labour call
Barnet Labour has called on Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch to drop Joshua Bonehill-Paine as an adviser after his selection as a council candidate in Somerset. Barnet Tories refused to condemn the decision, citing rehabilitation. Bonehill-Paine was jailed for antisemitic offences, including plans to burn the Talmud in Golders Green.
Barnet5 min readTrust 78 · Craft 61 · Hype 50
Council & Politics · CamdenCamden may revoke Kentish Town sex shop licence over illegal pill sales
Camden Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee will decide on 6 August whether to revoke the Blue Rose adult shop’s licence after Metropolitan Police found unlicensed staff selling erectile dysfunction pills at double the recommended dose. One resident has also complained about the shop’s signage near schools.
Camden5 min readTrust 74 · Craft 83 · Hype 21
Council & Politics · WestminsterWestminster pubs face capacity cuts under new licensing rules
Westminster City Council’s draft licensing policy could force pubs in Soho, Covent Garden and Leicester Square to cut operating capacity by reducing standing areas. Pubs warn the changes threaten jobs and the area’s nightlife, while the Mayor of London and Downing Street oppose the plans. Consultation closes 9 August.
Westminster5 min readTrust 74 · Craft 83 · Hype 21
Council & Politics · LondonLondon funeral costs highest in UK as regulation lags behind Scotland
Londoners face the UK’s highest funeral costs, with basic services averaging £4,897 and burial plots £4,863. Yet England lacks statutory regulation, leaving families without recourse if services fail. The government has pledged action, but no new laws are in force.
London5 min readTrust 74 · Craft 95 · Hype 35
Council & Politics · CroydonCroydon fly-tipping fines rise to £5,000 but enforcement remains low
The UK government has raised the maximum fine for fly-tipping to £5,000, aiming to tackle Croydon’s record 53,000 incidents in 2024-2025. However, Croydon Council issued only 310 fixed-penalty notices in the past 10 months, raising questions about enforcement.
Croydon5 min readTrust 68 · Craft 79 · Hype 65
Council & Politics · LondonWest Ham agree London Stadium use for 2029 World Athletics Championships
West Ham United have reached an agreement to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships at London Stadium, securing London’s bid backed by the UK government and Mayor Sadiq Khan. The club says the deal protects its supporters, with any fixture changes confirmed only after its 2029-30 competition status is known.
London5 min readTrust 66 · Craft 95 · Hype 70
Council & Politics · LondonReform UK pledges jail for CEOs hiring illegal workers under 'Deliveroo Law'
Reform UK has announced plans to imprison company executives and fine firms 10% of global revenue if they hire illegal workers. The policy targets food delivery firms, citing Home Office data showing 42% of riders stopped in 2023 lacked proper paperwork.
London5 min readTrust 74 · Craft 64 · Hype 35
Council & Politics · LambethLambeth Council to defy EHRC guidance on single-sex spaces
Lambeth Council has voted to proceed with non-implementation of the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s new guidance on single-sex spaces, citing concerns over dignity and access to healthcare. The policy, effective 4 September, requires facilities to be used based on birth sex.
Lambeth6 min readTrust 68 · Craft 95 · Hype 55
Council & Politics · WestminsterWestminster Council Proposes Ban on Standing in Soho and West End Pubs
Westminster Council has published a draft licensing policy that would ban standing in pubs, require table service only, and refuse new pub and bar applications in Soho and parts of the West End. The mayor of London has criticised the plans as anti-growth, while local groups and businesses warn of damage to nightlife culture.
Westminster6 min readTrust 74 · Craft 83 · Hype 21
Council & Politics · CamdenOG Anunoby and Camden Council to refurbish Argyle Square basketball court
Argyle Square Gardens in Camden will be refurbished as a basketball hub in a collaboration between Camden Council, the Greater London Authority, NBA player OG Anunoby and the NBPA Foundation. The court serves local community group Argyle Kings and aims to boost grassroots basketball in London.
Camden4 min readTrust 50 · Craft 72 · Hype 55
Council & Politics · All LondonSutton leisure centres reopen after £1.35m refurbishment by Everyone Active
Four Sutton leisure centres are being refurbished in a £1.35m investment by Everyone Active for Sutton Council. The Phoenix Centre and Cheam Leisure Centre have reopened, while David Weir and Westcroft will close temporarily from 6 August for upgrades.
All London4 min readTrust 64 · Craft 80 · Hype 12
Council & Politics · CroydonCatalyst Care directors fined £92,400 for running unregistered children’s homes in Kent
Catalyst Care Ltd and its directors were fined £92,400 for operating three unregistered children’s homes in Kent between October 2022 and April 2025. The company received over £1.8m from local authorities while providing accommodation for nine children without Ofsted registration.
Croydon5 min readTrust 74 · Craft 95 · Hype 35
Council & Politics · LondonSPEAR urges Prime Minister to adopt housing first model nationwide
SPEAR, Richmond’s leading homelessness charity, has signed a joint letter to Prime Minister Andy Burnham demanding nationwide adoption of the housing first model. The charity, which has housed over 100 rough sleepers locally, argues the approach could transform homelessness support across the UK.
London5 min readTrust 60 · Craft 56 · Hype 15
Council & Politics · City of LondonCity of London Corporation’s children’s services rated outstanding by Ofsted
Ofsted has rated the City of London Corporation’s children’s services as ‘outstanding’ following a November 2024 inspection. Inspectors highlighted progress in addressing domestic abuse and exploitation risks, with Deputy Chair Steve Goodman calling the rating a recognition of high-quality support for families.
City of London5 min readTrust 66 · Craft 72 · Hype 12
Council & Politics · CroydonCroydon Council sees 31% rise in upheld complaints under Mayor Perry
Croydon Council had 42 complaints upheld by the Local Government Ombudsman in 2025-2026, a 31% increase on the previous year. Total complaints rose to 281, with housing and SEND support the most common issues. Mayor Jason Perry’s administration faces calls for reform.
Croydon5 min readTrust 68 · Craft 53 · Hype 55
Council & Politics · London£500,000 al fresco plan expands to 13 London boroughs including Brent
Thirteen London boroughs, including Brent, have received a share of £500,000 to expand al fresco dining and street events this summer. Deputy Mayor for Business Howard Dawber said demand from councils exceeded the funding, while footfall rose by up to 85% in some areas last year.
London5 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 58
Council & Politics · IslingtonIslington waste fires cost £1m as battery disposal rules stall in Lords
Islington’s Hornsey Street Waste Transfer Station suffered its fourth fire in 14 months on 28 July 2026, causing at least £1 million in damage. Officials say improper disposal of rechargeable batteries is driving the blazes, while the Lithium-ion Battery Safety Bill remains stuck in Parliament.
Islington5 min readTrust 55 · Craft 60 · Hype 50
Council & Politics · SouthwarkSouthwark Council to shut off heating and hot water on North Peckham Estate for 8 hours
Southwark Council has announced an 8-hour shutdown of heating and hot water services on the North Peckham Estate on 18 August 2026. The outage, starting at 9 am, affects 22 residential blocks while essential maintenance work is carried out.
Southwark4 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 15