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Council & Politics
City Hall, borough councils, the Mayor and London democracy.
183 stories · page 7 of 10
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
Council & Politics · SouthwarkSouthwark’s new Green leader plans to make driving harder in the borough
Southwark Council’s new Green leader, James McAsh, has announced plans to make driving more difficult in the borough. The measures include blocking rat runs and expanding low-traffic neighbourhoods to improve air quality and road safety for children.
Southwark5 min readTrust 64 · Craft 87 · Hype 30
Council & Politics · LondonKhan pledges £1.5m for Barnet youth as social media ban looms
Barnet children under 16 will be banned from TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram next year. Mayor Sadiq Khan has announced £1.5 million for summer activities, including football sessions with 11 London clubs, to reduce youth crime during the holidays.
London5 min readTrust 50 · Craft 72 · Hype 30
Council & Politics · LondonBarnet parks enforce fire ban as London heatwave hits 33 days over 30°C
Barnet’s parks, including Hampstead Heath and Walthamstow Marshes, have joined a London-wide ban on barbecues and open fires after temperatures exceeded 30°C for the 33rd time this year. Authorities warn a single spark could ignite a wildfire in seconds, with new rules also prohibiting swimming in unsupervised water.
London5 min readTrust 50 · Craft 80 · Hype 35
Council & Politics · SouthwarkSouthwark coalition faces £102m gap and cancelled meetings after Labour loss
Southwark Council’s new Green-Lib Dem coalition says it is addressing a £102m funding gap inherited from Labour, while critics accuse it of cancelling meetings and reversing service cuts. The next elections are in 2030.
Southwark6 min readTrust 50 · Craft 65 · Hype 25
Council & Politics · BarnetBarnet’s food waste collections reach 100 tonnes weekly after Labour restart
Barnet Council’s reintroduced food waste service collects over 100 tonnes weekly, with two million collections since March 2026. The Labour administration restored the scheme after Conservatives scrapped it in 2018, citing £300,000 annual savings. Fox spillages remain rare, with crews clearing incidents during rounds.
Barnet4 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 50
Council & Politics · WestminsterWestminster Council secures live bike data and stricter parking rules from operators
Westminster City Council has reached an agreement with four dockless bike operators to share live data on bike movements and enforce stricter parking rules. The deal follows complaints about obstructed pavements and includes plans to create new parking bays using spaces left by Zipcar’s UK exit.
Westminster5 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 35
Council & Politics · NewhamNewham Mayor Forhad Hussain visits London City Airport in first official tour
Newham Mayor Forhad Hussain made his first official visit to London City Airport on 31 July 2026, meeting staff and touring operations. CEO Andy Cliffe highlighted the airport’s economic impact, while Hussain emphasised its opportunities for young workers ahead of its 40th anniversary in 2027.
Newham4 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 15
Council & Politics · LambethLower Marsh secures £100,000 for summer film screenings and outdoor seating
Lower Marsh in Waterloo will host free outdoor film screenings on 29 August and 26 September 2026, funded by £100,000 from the Mayor of London’s Summer Streets Fund. The street is now closed to traffic on Saturdays, supporting bars, restaurants and market traders.
Lambeth4 min readTrust 64 · Craft 80 · Hype 30
Council & Politics · LondonHillingdon cuts school exclusions by 23 percent as national rates rise
Hillingdon Council recorded 33 permanent exclusions in 2024/25, a 23 percent drop from the previous year. Northwood School has avoided exclusions entirely for three years, using de-escalation techniques and a dedicated space for SEN pupils to reduce disruptions.
London5 min readTrust 74 · Craft 87 · Hype 25
Council & Politics · GreenwichRoyal Observatory staff strike on 11-12 August during solar eclipse event
Staff at the Royal Observatory, National Maritime Museum, Cutty Sark and Queen’s House will strike on 11 and 12 August, disrupting a public solar eclipse viewing. The union demands London Living Wage accreditation and better working conditions after a two-year pay deal was already agreed.
Greenwich5 min readTrust 66 · Craft 95 · Hype 28
Council & Politics · LondonLondon drought triggers Amber health alert as Barnet faces water restrictions
An Amber health alert is in force across London after Kew Gardens recorded its first rain-free July in 155 years. Barnet Council and Thames Water have imposed water-saving measures as temperatures exceed 30°C, increasing risks for vulnerable residents.
London5 min readTrust 78 · Craft 95 · Hype 30
Council & Politics · City of LondonCity of London Corporation repaid £11,600 in miscoded travel costs
The City of London Corporation identified and repaid £11,600 in travel expenses incorrectly charged to its City Fund, including a £1,725 stay at Tokyo’s Shangri-La hotel. The costs, linked to international financial sector promotion, were reallocated in April 2026 after a year-end review.
City of London5 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 55
Council & Politics · LondonPoll finds Londoners prefer outsider for next Tory mayoral candidate
A poll of 2,021 Londoners suggests the Conservative Party’s next mayoral candidate should avoid ties to the previous government. Former Home Secretary James Cleverly’s potential bid faces scepticism, while business and policing experience are favoured traits. The 2028 election is still four years away.
London5 min readTrust 74 · Craft 87 · Hype 55
Council & Politics · WestminsterWestminster shop director admits selling unsafe Guida Christmas lights
Westminster City Council trading standards officers removed 33 sets of Guida-brand Christmas lights and 26 USB adaptors from a Queensway store after tests found they posed fire and electrocution risks. Director Abdul Hamidi admitted six offences under electrical safety regulations and will be sentenced on 19 August 2026.
Westminster4 min readTrust 64 · Craft 80 · Hype 30
Council & Politics · WandsworthWandsworth Moves Together Awards 2026 open for nominations
Wandsworth Council has launched the 2026 Moves Together Awards, inviting nominations for volunteers, coaches, schools and athletes. Finalists will be announced in September, with winners revealed at a ceremony later this year.
Wandsworth4 min readTrust 30 · Craft 45 · Hype 30
Council & Politics · LondonWaltham Forest defends £11m Chingford crematorium amid expert criticism
Waltham Forest Council has defended its £11m crematorium in Chingford Mount Cemetery, set to open in 2026. Experts and residents challenge its necessity, cost, and suitability, while the council insists it will serve local demand and reduce travel for mourners.
London5 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 50