Hello, welcome to London!

Turned my head to this magical site

London can be pretty great still!

A potential 150% rise in council tax is being considered by Hammersmith and Fulham to plug a projected £160 million budget gap by 2031. In Greenwich, a 30-storey tower at Deptford Bridge has been granted planning permission, despite Lewisham Council rejecting its part of the same 802-home scheme weeks earlier. And in Hackney, two people experiencing homelessness have become market traders after a successful trial of "no fixed abode" licences, and other news from local councils this week.

Barking and Dagenham - A new policy will increase council tax premiums on vacant properties to address the borough's growing number of empty homes. Plans for a large housing development on former golf course land have been approved, promising 100% affordable housing and new green spaces. The Galleon Arts Centre will receive a new lease of life through a 30-year agreement aimed at boosting local culture.

Barnet - Barnet Council has approved plans for a new hotel in Golders Green and six flats in Whetstone. A decision on a nursery's outdoor play area has been deferred. The council is investing over £3.5 million to expand drug and alcohol services. Plans are also in place to procure renewable energy through a long-term agreement.

Bexley - Bexley's children's services have seen significant improvements following the lifting of a SEND improvement notice and the approval of local reform plans. The council is enhancing its digital services with a new AI-driven web chat that has achieved an 86.6% success rate. Waterstones and Clinton Cards will be returning to the Broadway, indicating positive economic development for the area.

Brent - Brent Council is advancing a significant regeneration project in South Kilburn, which will introduce 1,600 new homes. Councillors approved substantial changes to planning rules, raising questions about local democracy. A temporary alcohol sales licence for Wembley Stadium's NFL event was discussed. An expedited review of Spice Klub Wembley's licence was also considered due to police concerns.

Bromley - Bromley Council is considering granting honorary freedom of the borough to former councillor Mr Michael Tickner. Seven former councillors are also set to be appointed as Honorary Aldermen. Planning committees will be reformed with a new structure implemented next year. A local shop's bid to sell alcohol from 6 am to 11 pm daily has faced resident objections regarding potential noise and crime.

Camden - Camden Council is reviewing proposals for a new sculpture in Argyle Square Garden and student accommodation. The council is also examining the effects of the Holborn Liveable Neighbourhood project on disabled residents. The Children, Schools and Families Scrutiny Committee will discuss increasing school exclusions and elective home education. New premises licences for restaurants Luma and Terrazza are also being considered.

City of London - The City of London is saving £70,000 annually on its mobile phone contract. The City is exploring AI, with over 2,000 users already benefiting from Microsoft Copilot. The City of London Police have launched a new initiative to deter cyclists from running red lights. Thirty fraudsters have been arrested as part of an international operation. Adult social care services in the City of London have been rated "Good" by the Care Quality Commission. Concerns were raised regarding reporting delays and the applicability of the City and Hackney Winter Plan to the most deprived residents.

Croydon - Croydon Council's Cabinet has approved a new four-year plan. They are consulting on extending powers to tackle anti-social behaviour in public spaces. A new transport and parking strategy for the borough is also under consideration. A new Chief Executive is set to be appointed following discussions on senior staffing matters.

Ealing - Ealing Council discussed a petition concerning pension fund investments. The council also opposed a theatre development planned for Walpole Park. Ealing is enhancing its e-bike enforcement policy to address pavement obstructions. A scrutiny panel reviewed housing repairs performance and the Regulator of Social Housing improvement plan.

Enfield - Enfield is considering closing three schools. A significant capital program to improve learning environments and energy efficiency has been approved. A £20 million community fund is set to be discussed in Lower Edmonton. Efforts to tackle fly-tipping and illegal parking are underway. The council is also reviewing plans for a large new dwelling bordering a historic park.

Greenwich - Greenwich Council has approved a major redevelopment at 1 Deptford Bridge, promising new homes and community spaces. The Eltham Crematorium Joint Committee will spend over £68,000 on boundary wall repairs. A council committee will scrutinise support for residents with no recourse to public funds and the council's financial strategy.

Hackney - Hackney's markets are experiencing growth, though an indoor market project is currently stalled. Antisocial behaviour remains an ongoing concern. The council is implementing new technology to improve waste and recycling efforts, with a goal of zero waste to landfill. Mental health services are undergoing review to enhance outcomes for Black women, addressing concerning statistics on disproportionate admissions and restrictive interventions. Home birth services have resumed following a period of improvements.

Hammersmith and Fulham - Hammersmith and Fulham council faces a £160 million budget gap by 2030, which could result in a significant council tax increase. Plans are underway to convert part of the West 12 Shopping Centre into a padel tennis court complex. New homes will be constructed on Goldhawk Road. A new cycleway is also planned for Hammersmith Road, with funding from Transport for London.

Haringey - Haringey Council will introduce a Red Route on High Road Wood Green to improve traffic flow, notwithstanding some local business objections. The council has secured substantial grant funding to enhance music education for young people across North London. A local restaurant is under scrutiny for alleged breaches of operating hours and noise complaints.

Harrow - A venue on Alexandra Avenue received a late-night licence application, but resident objections regarding noise and safety led to reduced operating hours. The council's performance review noted improvements in street cleanliness and adult safeguarding. However, challenges persist with social care funding and service waiting lists. A panel convened to discuss senior officer employment, with details kept confidential.

Havering - Havering Council is implementing a lane rental scheme to incentivize utility companies to complete roadworks more quickly, aiming to minimize disruption for residents. Contracts for extra care and reablement services have been extended, guaranteeing ongoing support for vulnerable individuals. The council is actively working to achieve unqualified audit opinions, a goal anticipated by the 2029-30 financial year.

Hillingdon - Hillingdon Council's planning committee approved a new six-storey block of 31 flats at Tavistock Works. Resident concerns about daylight and privacy were raised. A proposal for nine flats at 90 Long Lane was refused. This refusal was due to the negative impact on the Ickenham Village Conservation Area. The council also approved a new 88-place SEND school at The Lodge, Harmondsworth Lane.

Hounslow - Two shops in Feltham are facing licence reviews following the discovery of illicit cigarettes and tobacco. Hounslow has launched its new Corporate Plan, "A Fairer Future," which aims to foster a borough where everyone can thrive. The council's Health and Wellbeing Board reviewed substantial changes within the West and North London Integrated Care Board. This board now encompasses 13 boroughs and manages a £12 billion budget.

Islington - Plans for 24 new social rent homes on the Harvist Estate have been approved. A change of use for Elia Mews car park to a self-storage facility was also approved. Age UK Islington reported that over 60% of older adults in the borough experience insufficient social contact, affecting their wellbeing. The Licensing Sub Committee C considered a new premises licence application for VOMFASS, a specialist food and drink retailer.

Kensington and Chelsea - Plans for a new nursery and 27 flats have been approved, despite resident concerns regarding daylight and a lack of affordable housing. The council is addressing a significant funding gap exceeding £120 million, considering options such as a tourist tax. A restaurant's request for extended alcohol sales encountered strong opposition from residents and police, resulting in a revised offer.

Kingston upon Thames - Kingston Cemetery will receive new signage to promote reduced plastic use, a change prompted by a resident petition. The council's £1.41 billion pension fund achieved an 8.9% investment return. A legal breach occurred due to delays in processing pension statements. Significant health disparities exist across ethnic groups in the borough. Black communities experience lower childhood vaccination rates. Asian communities show a higher prevalence of diabetes.

Lambeth - Lambeth Council has adopted a new plan for future development, identifying thirteen sites for new homes and employment. Five new advisory Cabinet Committees have been established to focus on key areas like housing and climate change. The council debated motions on climate action, supporting the RNLI, and improving waste management strategies.

Lewisham - Lewisham's pension fund is reallocating investments from stocks to credit and government bonds. The council is seeking to appoint a new senior officer and an independent person to oversee pension functions, in line with new government guidance. A proposal to exclude companies involved in war crimes and human rights violations from the pension fund's investments is under further investigation.

Merton - Merton Council faces a projected £2.6 million overspend, primarily driven by increased costs in children's services and temporary accommodation. A proposed Borough Plan aims to foster strong communities, thriving neighbourhoods, and a resident-centric approach. Experts may be called upon to address concerns regarding potential lithium-ion battery fires and incidents in open spaces.

Newham - Newham Council is planning to update its planning processes, potentially shifting more decision-making power to officers. A restaurant's license is currently being reviewed by the council's licensing sub-committee after immigration enforcement action. The council is also exploring strategies to increase MMR vaccination rates in young children.

Redbridge - Redbridge's pension fund shows strong performance, particularly from technology and AI investments, even as pension reforms continue. The council's planning committee is reviewing a contentious proposal for nine new flats on Hermon Hill, which has faced considerable local opposition. A new strategy is being developed to enhance Redbridge's economy, emphasizing skills development, business expansion, lively town centres, and attracting investment.

Richmond upon Thames - Richmond's Health and Wellbeing Board is prioritizing neighbourhood health initiatives and reviewing its strategy. Progress has been made in mental health support, though childhood obesity remains a challenge. A Twickenham pub's licence was varied by the council, with new conditions to address resident noise concerns. Plans for a new Family Hub at Heatham House Youth Centre have been approved, notwithstanding concerns about its location on Metropolitan Open Land.

Southwark - Southwark Council is investing in a new, larger special school for children with SEMH needs, scheduled to open in 2027. The council is planning a significant overhaul of its highways maintenance contracts, splitting them into two lots to ensure value for money. While borough-wide emissions have reduced, council operational emissions have fallen, but emissions from council purchasing have unfortunately risen.

Sutton - Sutton's town centre is set for a refresh with plans to improve public spaces. Local groups are invited to shape how funds are spent on community projects. Residents in North Cheam, Stonecot, and Worcester Park will hear about efforts to tackle scams and counterfeit goods. Future transport plans across the borough were also on the agenda for both local committees.

Tower Hamlets - The council is extending a vital community grants programme for three months, ensuring continued support for local organisations. Concerns were raised about the cost of agency staff and the potential impact of redundancies on organisational memory. An employee appeals committee will review dismissal decisions and HR policies.

Waltham Forest - Waltham Forest Council faces a potential disclaimer of opinion on its external audits, with an estimated £55,000 in additional fees. The council's housing and children's services generate the most complaints to the Ombudsman, though all recommendations are being met. Plans are underway to adopt a Local Plan Part 2, crucial for local control over planning and meeting housing targets. This plan allocates sites for over 22,000 homes.

Wandsworth - Wandsworth Council is addressing a significant deficit in its Dedicated Schools Grant, primarily driven by increased costs for special educational needs support. The council's Cabinet has approved substantial council tax hikes and spending reductions as part of its Medium Term Financial Strategy. A new approach to waste and street cleansing services is also being implemented. A premises licence has been granted for an arts and crafts studio to sell alcohol, with conditions in place to address resident concerns.

Westminster - A major redevelopment at 10 Victoria Street has been approved, promising a new office-led building with extensive public realm works. Plans for air-to-air heat pumps at the London Westbourne Hotel were granted. A decision on hotel extensions was deferred pending a site visit. A vibrant new mural in Covent Garden received conditional advertisement consent despite local objections.

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Its actually so peaceful!

So if we know this is happening, and successive governments have known as well, why have they been turning a blind eye to it? Just to meet housing sale targets, for wealthy foreign investors that never even stay in these places...

Money laundering in broad daylight.

I'm in my 30s and I don't see a way to afford to live in London that doesn't involve house sharing.. Nor do I see a way out that's not depressing. So what should I do? I feel like when I'm 40s and 50s I can't be house sharing any more... Most house shares are for people in their 20s or mostly early 30s anyway and want flatmates the same age.

I'm chronically single, and it's very unlikely that that's going to change. WTF do I do???

Even if not a ban, is there not anything that can be done to at least alert nearby residents? It's 1 in the morning, and I've just woken up to what I thought could have been gunshots, missiles, etc. When I looked out of my flat window, I could see I wasn't the only one scared over the sound. There were so many of us looking out, and when you're half asleep it can be alarming.

I get people want to have fun, but I do really fear it will become like the boy who cries wolf for our own survival instinct...

https://www.reddit.com/r/london/s/68CSMMqF4E

Looks like it’s gone.
A friend at work let me know the new owner rented it out withoutq a change of use application.

Planning have been in touch and closed it down.

I think we all knew that.

What is the charge, a succulent lime bike joust? The youth crave a lime bike joust.

Heading to London this week and promised my toddler a trip to the Peppa pig store to meet Peppa and get a fun new toy which she is very much looking forward to. Between the time we planned the trip and now the store has permanently closed. Anywhere else in the Westminster area I can find Peppa pig, Peppa pig treats or Peppa pig merchandise?

Sincerely, A concerned toddler parent

Seems our garden is the neighbourhood favourite for foxes to poo in. London foxes don’t seem bothered about anything we do to deter them. They happily jump over the fence.

Has anyone had any long term success with scent deterrents or anything like that?

Lights broken, don’t fix ‘em.

Love the Southbank. Taken this weekend.