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Barnet Council has joined three inner-London boroughs in a formal challenge to government funding reforms that would remove £292 million over four years. The councils say the cuts threaten essential services and will force council tax rises. Residents can respond through a survey open until 15 October 2026.
Westminster City Council has suspended the licence of the Mistress of Mayfair after a man's throat was slashed in an attack on 10 August. The Met Police reported failures in ID scanning and security, leading to the temporary closure of the St James's Street venue pending a full review.
A mother cat and her three kittens were rescued from a 45°C boiler room in Pimlico after residents reported persistent meowing. Westminster City Council’s animal warden carried out the rescue. One kitten was put down, another has a heart condition, and the remaining two have been rehomed.
Three Banksy artworks in London have cost nearly £150,000 in public funds, including £85,000 for a mural at the Royal Courts of Justice. Councils and government bodies spent the money on security, removal attempts and administration, sparking debate over public art and heritage.
Westminster City Council’s draft licensing policy, open for consultation until 11 August 2026, proposes more seating in bars and restaurants to discourage excessive drunkenness. The council insists it will not ban standing drinking, despite reports suggesting otherwise. Residents and businesses remain divided over the impact on Soho’s nightlife.
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.
Westminster City Council is offering residents a 15% discount on Luminiscence London, an immersive sound-and-light experience at Westminster Cathedral. The promotion runs until 12 September and requires the code CITYSAVE15 at checkout.
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.
Westminster City Council must close a £160 million budget gap after the UK government cut its funding by almost half over four years. A public survey runs until 30 September 2026 to guide spending cuts and council tax increases, which could triple bills for Band D properties.
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.
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