Key Challenges Facing Birmingham City Council in the Year Ahead Thursday, January 1, 2026 birmingham council finance bankruptcy publicservices governance budget community infrastructure recovery Birmingham City Council continues to confront significant challenges as it moves forward from a period of severe financial distress. Having effectively faced bankruptcy, the council is now focused on stabilizing its finances … Read More
Next Birmingham City Council Leaders Will Lack Full Autonomy Under Commissioner Oversight Monday, December 22, 2025 birmingham localgovernment commissioners council politics elections governance finance oversight recovery The political leaders elected to Birmingham City Council in May 2026 will have to operate under a stringent ‘action plan’ set by government-appointed commissioners, significantly restricting their ability to act … Read More
Bid for Councillors' Votes to Be Made Public 'So People Know Who's on Their Side' Thursday, December 11, 2025 transparency planning solihull councillors votes governance accountability localgovernment greenbelt decisionmaking Opposition councillors in Solihull are calling for a significant change in how votes are recorded at the council’s planning committee meetings—key sessions that decide the fate of local planning applications. Reform … Read More
Delayed Report on Failed £1.6m Dudley Leisure Site Sale Sparks Councillor Frustration Wednesday, December 10, 2025 dudley council audit investigation landsale leisurecentre grantthornton transparency delays governance Investigators examining the collapse of a £1.6 million land deal involving Dudley Council continue to face significant delays, as critical questions remain unanswered nearly a year after being raised. The controversy centers … Read More
Consultants Paid £325,000 to Develop Plans for Worcestershire 'Super Council' Saturday, November 22, 2025 worcestershire supercouncil unitaryauthority localgovernment consulting pwc restructuring councilfinance publicsector governance Worcestershire County Council has spent £325,000 on consultancy firm PwC to develop plans for a potential ‘super council’ to replace the existing county and district councils. The payment was disclosed during a recent … Read More
Solihull Councillors Urged to Maintain Conduct Amid Decline in Complaints Thursday, November 20, 2025 solihull councillors conduct complaints parish borough council governance behaviour standards Solihull’s parish and borough councillors have been reminded to uphold proper conduct during council meetings following public complaints, although no formal hearings or disciplinary actions have been necessary in the latest … Read More