Council Tax
Council tax bands, bills and rises.
Planning applications: fewer councillor decisions under new rules
From 31 October 2026, ward councillors in England can no longer call planning applications to committee. Most local planning authority delegated decisions will go to officers instead.
Westmorland and Furness planning committee rules change 31 October 2026
National rules from 31 October 2026 change who decides planning applications in councils across England, including Westmorland and Furness, Wokingham and Wealden.
BCP Council budget crisis: £38m gap and cuts ‘highly likely’
BCP Council's forecast £38m budget gap for 2027/28 could bring council tax rises, service cuts and asset sales unless government steps in, its cabinet member for finance says.
Children’s social care costs for councils in England up about £1bn a year
Councils in England now spend £9.5bn a year on looked-after children, and the pressure is feeding into overspends. Here is what the figures show and what you can check locally.
Council tax 2027-28: Hammersmith & Fulham weighs a 150% rise in its share of bills
Hammersmith & Fulham is considering raising its element of council tax by up to 150%, and other boroughs want big increases, but most households face a 5% cap. Here is who is affected and what you can do.
