Fewer than expected local authorities have managed to keep annual rate increases under the government's proposed 4 percent limit, raising concerns about municipal funding.

The New Zealand government has promised to implement a 4% rates cap for local councils, which will take effect in 2029, with councils expected to consider it from next year.

The Swiss government, cantonal authorities, and local councils have launched a national charter to step up efforts against rising radicalisation in the country.

Latvian municipalities, including Valka and Rēzekne, are reporting budget difficulties despite increased income tax revenues and rising wages. Local councils claim they will only know the full extent of budget surpluses at year-end, due to agreements with the government.

Opposition to large-scale metallic mining operations on Sibuyan Island has gained momentum after the Romblon provincial board approved a resolution against it, with local councils also joining the movement.

Frankfurt's local councils are reportedly being held accountable for budget overruns by other administrative departments, a situation deemed unfair to them.

Madrid Mayor Almeida is protesting against a new law concerning large events and plans to submit allegations, arguing that licensing competence should remain with local councils.

Nigerian states are reportedly defying a Supreme Court ruling on local government autonomy, continuing to control significant allocations meant for local councils. This defiance highlights an ongoing power struggle over financial control.

The Cathaoirleach of Tipperary is noted as one of only nine women currently leading local councils across Ireland.

For the past six months, non-teaching staff in Czech schools, including cooks, caretakers, and cleaners, have been paid by their founders (municipalities, cities, and regions) instead of the state, with some local councils supplementing wages from their own budgets.

Local councils in Britain are reportedly running race-exclusive job support programs for ethnic minorities, funded by central government grants, which are said to be locking out white jobseekers.

Neither the Spanish government, autonomous communities, nor local councils know the exact number or condition of publicly protected housing units, raising questions about the efficacy of a decades-old system that fails to address the current housing crisis.

An MP claims that pupils in the UK are being asked to walk through an army firing range to get to school, highlighting a growing issue for local councils regarding school transport.

A property investor providing temporary accommodation to local councils is reportedly part of a family accused of avoiding tax through a scheme involving bogus prayer rooms, a claim denied by Midos Management.

An article discusses various issues within Portuguese local governments, including searches involving the Socialist Party, concerns about local councils acting as employment agencies for friends, and the ongoing debate over pension age.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a new law that expands the authority of local self-government bodies to provide financial and material support to the security and defense sector during periods of martial law or a state of emergency.

Local councils in Moldova have approved 608 decisions to initiate the process of voluntary amalgamation of mayoralties, with 12 localities in Telenești deciding to merge and benefit from 92 million lei.

Local councils in Malaysia are being encouraged to adopt artificial intelligence technologies to streamline processes and reduce bureaucratic red tape.

More than 50% of septic tanks in Ireland failed inspections last year, with some local councils significantly behind on their testing schedules, raising concerns about contaminated drinking water and public health risks.

Amidst tense constitutional meetings in some Frankfurt local advisory councils, there's a call for respectful interaction, especially at the grassroots level of democracy.

For context, this means that over 1 in 10 candidates who were elected to English local councils are Muslim sectarians.

The Moldovan government announced that local councils across the country have approved 451 decisions for voluntary amalgamation, aiming to benefit from development opportunities offered by the process.

A study by the Association for Participatory Democracy 'ADEPT' reveals that representatives of the ruling 'Action and Solidarity' (PAS) party hold the majority in local councils for a quarter of Moldovan villages that have initiated voluntary mergers.

The far-right Spanish party Vox is promoting motions in local councils and parliaments to prohibit the full-face veil (burka) in public areas.

Residents in the three municipalities of Gjøvik, Vestre Toten, and Østre Toten have voted against forming a new large municipality in Toten, Norway, with local councils now set to make a final decision.

Local councils in New Zealand are advocating for greater government investment in natural hazard risk reduction, citing that only 3% of hazard-related spending since 2010 has gone towards prevention.

Local councils have been instructed to alter their aggressive tax debt collection methods following a campaign led by money expert Martin Lewis, who described the practices as "so aggressive it'd make banks blush."

Local councils in the upper regions of Árnessýsla, Iceland, have reached an agreement with the state to open eight day-care spaces for elderly citizens, a service currently unavailable in the area.

The Lithuanian Seimas has approved a measure allowing municipalities to charge a one-time fee for the allocation of columbarium niches, with the size of the fee to be determined by local councils.

Two local councils in New Zealand have established a water partnership, described as uneasy, to manage water resources in their respective regions.

The Sindh government has announced a public holiday on April 4, affecting all government offices, autonomous and semi-autonomous bodies, corporations, and local councils.

Local councils of Cercal do Alentejo and Vila Nova de Milfontes have canceled a planned Saturday protest for the repair of the EN390 road, following an announcement from IP (Infraestruturas de Portugal) that preparatory work would begin.

There is a call for the Zimbabwean government to provide increased support to local councils.

The Netherlands is preparing for local elections on March 18, where over 8,000 members for 340 local councils will be elected. Voters are advised on what they need to know to make their decisions.

The Sindh government on Thursday announced a public holiday for March 13 (Friday). A notification issued by the government, a copy of which is available with Dawn, said: “The government of Sindh has been pleased to declare March 13, 2026 (Friday) as a public holiday throughout the province of Sindh for all government offices, autonomous bodies, semi-autonomous bodies, corporations, corporations and local councils under the administrative control of the government of Sindh, except essential se...

The Netherlands goes to the polls to vote for 342 local councils on March 18 and Dutch News is focusing...

Local councils in Romania are preparing new tax reductions or exemptions for buildings where owners have invested in renewable heating and electricity generation systems at their own expense.

Dutch local authorities have reportedly failed to deliver over a quarter of the homes they had pledged to build.

The chairman of Egor Local Government in Nigeria asserts that the monthly federal allocation is adequate to cover salaries and fund new projects, arguing that this already provides sufficient autonomy for local councils.

It wants local councils, government and ratepayers to plug the shortfall.

Labour leader Keir Starmer has reversed an earlier decision, allowing local council elections to go ahead in May in 30 areas after initial plans to postpone them due to 'capacity' issues.

Municipal governments across Nigeria have formally protested to the federal civil service over significant delays in distributing legally mandated hazard pay to workers.

English mayors, including Andy Burnham, are set to receive new powers allowing them to intervene and overrule local councils on significant planning decisions. Housing minister Matthew Pennycook stated this change is "essential" for helping mayors "effectively deliver new homes", aiming to centralize certain planning authorities at the mayoral level.

A Hungarian law designed to allow local councils to restrict 'undesirable settlers' is being criticized as politically motivated and ineffective in solving problems.

Police are preventing access to La Albufera and other restricted areas, reminding the public that entry to all natural parks in the Valencian Community is prohibited and urging local councils to enforce similar restrictions in their protected landscapes.

The Selangor government has called on local authorities to identify and utilize vacant plots of land for urban farming initiatives.

The British Prime Minister is proposing to return a portion of tax revenue generated in local areas to municipal councils. This initiative aims to empower regional mayors by giving them a share of income tax.

Local councils in Frankfurt are protesting the seizure of their reserves from 2024 and 2025, which are being used to cover additional expenses of city departments, drawing significant criticism.

Simon Harris has confirmed that local councils in Ireland will be obligated to pay the residential zoned land tax on their own housing land.

A decade after legal precedents against him, French polemicist Dieudonné continues to evade authorities and local councils to perform on stage, with plans for numerous shows this summer.

The summer season sees open-air cinemas fully underway in the Czech Republic, with films screened under the stars in municipalities around Rožnov pod Radhoštěm, thanks to funding from nine local councils. In contrast, residents of Pardubice will likely miss out on open-air screenings this year after many years.

The Selangor government in Malaysia will instruct all local councils to monitor food court pricing to ensure fair practices.

Irish Minister Simon Harris has expressed concern that too many local authorities believe they have done enough on housing, highlighting sluggishness within parts of the system.

An ecologist is urging local councils to implement a phased ban on plastic decorative items, including artificial flowers, in cemeteries to promote environmental sustainability.

The Finnish Ministry has ordered the municipalities of Alavus and Ähtäri to conduct a study into a potential forced merger, which could proceed if local councils do not voluntarily agree to the consolidation.

The municipality of Leiria, Portugal, is in a race against time to clear its forests before summer, facing challenges as the state has shifted responsibility to local councils for agreements with landowners, 60% of whom are unknown.

Politicians from the Danish Democrats party have shown differing stances on solar panel projects in two municipal councils, with some voting in favor without facing party exclusion. This highlights a division within the party regarding renewable energy initiatives at the local level.

The article discusses how the failing social care system is financially burdening and bankrupting local councils in the UK, raising questions about public anger and the disappearance of dignity in later life.

The Dutch Asylum Minister is demanding answers from municipalities that have failed to provide sufficient asylum shelters or have no refugee housing at all. The minister seeks accountability from local councils regarding the lack of accommodation for asylum seekers.

Newly elected local councils in Iceland are urged to prioritize fire department matters, including exploring increased cooperation among municipalities and potential mergers of municipal associations.

The Uzbekistan Senate has passed legislation to expand the powers and responsibilities of local councils, aiming to enhance regional governance and autonomy.

Whakatane District Council in New Zealand is appealing to community initiatives to help fund the restoration of the Nga Tapuwae o Toi walkway, as local councils face budget constraints.

A survey by news agency ANP indicates that approximately 30 local councils in the Netherlands are considering banning fatbikes from certain areas due to nuisance concerns.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has directed a reduction in rental rates for commercial premises owned by the federal government. The initiative aims to assist small traders, with a call for states and local councils to adopt similar measures.

Local councils in the Czech Republic, including Moravský Beroun, have unanimously rejected proposed 'acceleration zones' designed to simplify the construction of wind and solar power plants, with 94 such zones planned across the country.

Following local elections in Hesse, candidates from the far-right AfD party have been elected to municipal councils and executive boards, despite other parties maintaining a 'firewall' and refusing to cooperate with them.

Tanzania's government is supporting local councils in their efforts to address the challenge of long distances rural students must travel to attend school, aiming to improve access to education.

The mayor of Aveiro states that the city council aims to delegate more responsibilities to local councils, believing that those closer to the population are better equipped to solve minor problems.

Six months after municipal elections, at least 23 of 75 local councils in Portugal that lacked a majority have found solutions through agreements between parties and changes in councilor positions.

The Conservative party in the UK has pledged to ban local councils from implementing a four-day work week for full pay, a practice currently adopted by South Cambridgeshire District Council.

Local councils in Fiji are set to take over the responsibility for the maintenance of footpaths, streetlights, and waterways, centralizing public infrastructure management.

Debt charity StepChange is advocating for the cancellation of prison threats for individuals unable to pay council tax, highlighting inconsistencies in how local councils pursue unpaid taxes.

NewsDay Zimbabwe has published a call for the government to provide increased support to local councils.

Nearly three-quarters of the budget for Dutch municipalities comes from the national government in The Hague, highlighting the central government's significant financial control over local councils.

The Netherlands goes to the polls to vote for 342 local councils on March 18 and Dutch News is focusing...

Balint Pastor, President of the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians (SVM), stated that while his party generally prefers to run independently, it will form a coalition with SNS and SRS for the elections in Kula to avoid the risk of not entering local councils where there are not enough Hungarians.

At least nine Romanian cities are pursuing total bans on gambling houses, as an emergency decree grants mayors and local councils decisive veto powers, a development noted by The Guardian.

Independent candidates secured victories in the mayoral elections held over the weekend in Márokpapi and Felsőmarác, following the dissolution of local councils late last year.

A PSD mayor from Galați announced a method for municipalities to avoid layoffs mandated by government reforms by establishing commercial companies under local councils and transferring employees there.

Marta Farrés, Mayor of Sabadell and Vice-First Secretary of the PSC, emphasizes the need for the left to act decisively on security policy and calls for improved municipal funding to provide more resources to local councils.

Thousands of local or county councilors will have to choose between the jobs they have in state institutions and their positions in councils, otherwise they risk being declared as...

Under new government proposals, local councils will reportedly lose some of their planning powers, specifically their ability to block the establishment of new betting shops. Critics argue this could lead to an increase in gambling establishments on high streets, while others suggest reducing high-street betting could fuel illegal online gambling.

New measures in the UK grant local councils and residents increased authority to control the development of high street businesses, specifically targeting betting shops, vape shops, and adult gaming centers.

Downing Street has pledged to prevent local councils from implementing policies that restrict customers from standing or ordering at the bar in pubs, following a recommendation by Westminster council to ban 'vertical drinking' in new licensing policies.

A summit heard that while Australians value batteries and electric vehicles, the clean energy industry must earn the trust of regional communities, with calls for a national scheme to funnel benefits back to local councils.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) in Ireland has yet to pay almost €400,000 it owes to local councils in derelict site levies, despite managing a property portfolio of approximately 4,400 buildings nationwide.

Cameroon's National Agency for Information and Communication Technologies (ANTIC) has urged mayors in the North West Region to adopt digital technologies, citing a significant digital gap where less than half of local councils have functional websites.

Presidential aide Daniel Bwala asserted that state governors and local councils, rather than the Federal Government, should be held responsible for kidnappings occurring within their respective states.

Dutch festival organizers are increasingly employing private security firms to check visitors for drugs and issue fines, as local councils impose stricter regulations.

A debate is ongoing in the Czech Republic about potentially lowering the voting age to 16, which would also grant 16-year-olds the right to speak at local councils and require local politicians to respond to their initiatives.

Collserola, a natural park near Barcelona, Spain, will remain closed throughout the summer due to an ongoing outbreak of swine fever. Local councils and citizen groups had previously requested a relaxation of the closure.

An opinion piece criticizes leaders from Portugal's PS and PSD parties for feigning surprise when authorities investigate Lisbon's local councils, implying a deeper awareness of potential issues.

A political dispute between the Osun State government and local councils is hindering efforts to combat a rise in kidnappings, leaving border communities vulnerable.

Local councils are warning that abolishing the patient watchdog for the NHS would leave the health service 'marking its own homework.' They express concerns about accountability and oversight.

The New Zealand government is offering $400 million to local councils to incentivize faster planning approvals for new home constructions, aiming to address housing shortages.

Lluïsa Moret, President of the Diputación de Barcelona and Vice-First Secretary of the PSC, emphasizes the need for more resources dedicated to municipal funding, highlighting the positive impact of the corporation on local councils.

Far North Mayor Moko Tepania is calling for local councils in New Zealand to have the final authority on place-naming decisions, rather than the current system which grants veto power to a government minister.

Czech President Pavel has signed an amendment aimed at preventing local councils from strategically resigning to force new elections. The new law introduces by-elections to fill vacant seats specifically in small municipalities.

A political science professor states that the results of the local elections are a clear warning sign for Icelandic Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir and the Social Democratic Alliance, indicating a need for self-reflection and re-evaluation of their role in local councils.

Tim Smit, co-founder of the Eden Project, showcased his Chelsea garden focused on food production and urged local councils to convert asphalt areas into community gardens to enable young people to grow vegetables.

The article discusses the significance of women's participation in local self-governance bodies, known as panchayats, and how their experiences and contributions convey an important message for the national Parliament. It highlights the impact of grassroots female leadership.

The Melaka state government has introduced an initiative for local councils to provide small traders with a one-month rent waiver and a 30 percent discount on business premises rent, starting July 1.

Local councils in England are set to pilot a Google AI tool designed to accelerate planning decisions by providing recommendations on whether to grant or refuse development projects.

Local councils in New Zealand are pleading for 'balance' regarding proposed government plans to cap rates increases at four percent by January 2027, arguing that double-digit increases are unsustainable.

A new report reveals that one in five local councils in England and Wales have banned swearing under new 'busybody' public spaces protection orders, a significant increase from one in 20 councils in 2022.

Local councils and water boards in the Netherlands are proposing that cigarette companies should bear the full cost of removing toxic cigarette butts from public spaces.

The UK government is implementing stricter measures for local councils regarding road maintenance, requiring them to publish reports demonstrating that all highways funding is exclusively spent on road repairs and long-term protection plans.

Anti-refugee centre parties are taking a leading role in forming new coalition councils in at least 43 of the 342 Dutch municipalities.

Local councils are working on policies to implement a new government fund, launched on April 1st, designed to provide financial support to households that rely on heating oil. This initiative aims to assist residents with energy costs.

Local councils in the Netherlands have expressed anger over the government's decision to abandon a plan that would have actively reached out to individuals living below the poverty line to help them claim welfare benefits.

UK ministers are considering options for a lower-cost scheme to provide targeted energy bill relief to those most in need, potentially delivered through local councils.

Donald Trump's economic policies are reportedly causing major developments in Britain to collapse, increasing pressure on local councils to make concessions on affordable housing and public amenities.

Polling stations across the Netherlands have opened for local elections, with approximately 62,000 candidates competing for positions in 340 local councils.

DutchNews.nl argues that local councils should be more concerned about those who abstain from voting rather than solely focusing on high voter turnout in local elections.

On March 18, the Netherlands will go to the polls to elect the members of 342 local councils. European nationals...

The Netherlands is preparing for local elections on March 18, where citizens will elect members for 342 local councils, with European nationals also eligible to vote.

At least nine cities to pursue full bans as emergency decree gives decisive veto powers to mayors and local councils Romania’s government has overhauled gambling regulations through an emergency decree allowing municipalities to restrict or ban betting shops and slot machine halls in the biggest tightening of the industry the country has seen. Licensed operators must now obtain not only a national permit but also local authorisation to open a gambling venue, giving mayors and local councils a...

More Romanian mayors are pledging to make their cities gambling-free, though the final decision on such measures rests with local councils.

The UK government faces accusations of caving to the building lobby with proposed changes to planning rules that would limit local councils' power and hinder low-carbon home improvements.

The Generalitat de Catalunya has established a support team to assist municipalities in attracting European Union funds, addressing the lack of technical resources that often prevents local councils from accessing financing.