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What are our councils up to?
Camden - Agreed to a scheme to retrofit council housing for energy efficiency and approved an increase to the Council Tax Support Scheme. The Housing Scrutiny Committee discussed concerns about the quality and affordability of private rented accommodation.
Hackney - Living in Hackney Scrutiny Commission heard presentations on trust and confidence in local policing, and serious violence and gang crime. Hackney Light and Power presented their work on clean energy, the Procurement board approved contracts for electric car chargers, and the Children and Young People Scrutiny Commission discussed the overspend in the Children's Services budget.
Lambeth - Approved a new SEND and Alternative Provision Strategy and a new action plan to bring empty homes back into use. They also approved a new policy to move homeless families into private rented accommodation.
Lewisham - The Planning Committee approved two new housing developments, one in Sydenham and one in Deptford. The Licensing Committee refused an application to extend the alcohol licence for a fried chicken shop on Downham Way.
Southwark - The Pensions Advisory Panel discussed the underperformance of the Darwin Leisure Development Fund. James Allens Girls School gained permission to demolish two houses and build a new pre-prep school, despite objections.
Wandsworth - Approved plans for new homes on the Ashburton Estate despite resident objections, and a controversial adult gaming centre on Putney High Street was approved by the chair's casting vote.
Newham - The Pensions Committee discussed the performance of the Newham Pension Fund, which is not fully funded. An Officer Key Decision meeting approved a £9.1 million contract for digital advertising on street furniture.
Islington - Elected Councillor Una O'Halloran as the new Leader of the Council. They debated extending the move-on period for refugees and voted to means-test the winter fuel allowance.
Westminster - The Rating Advisory Panel considered applications for hardship and discretionary relief from business rates. The Pension Fund Committee discussed reforms to the Local Government Pension Scheme and UNISON's motion on divestment from companies involved in breaches of international law in Palestine.
Waltham Forest - The Housing and Inclusive Economy Scrutiny Committee discussed the Housing Revenue Account budget for 2025/26 and approved a new draft Damp and Mould Policy. The full Council voted to approve the scheme for admitting students to schools in 2026 and agreed to close the Bagshot Community Recycling Centre.
Greenwich - The Planning Board granted planning permission for three applications, removing affordable housing from a scheme in Charlton. The Schools Forum discussed the Dedicated Schools Grant and a proposal to extend members' term of office.
Tower Hamlets - The Strategic Development Committee rejected planning permission for the Chinese Embassy's redevelopment of Royal Mint Court. The Licensing Sub Committee deferred a decision on an application by the Wellcome Co-op on Smeed Road to vary its premises licence.
Surrey - The Health and Wellbeing Board discussed a draft strategy to support Sanctuary Seekers in Surrey and the proposed removal of responsibility for community safety from the board. The Council voted to approve the scheme for admitting students to schools in 2026 and agreed to close the Bagshot Community Recycling Centre.
I publish newsletters covering everything local councils do each week.
I set up this project because local authorities spend about 12% of the UK government budget, or roughly 5p of every pound that's earned in the UK, and yet the vast majority of people have no idea who their local councillors are, or what they're currently doing. I think that's bad for our society.
Currently, I can only afford to do this work for about a dozen councils in the south east, but that's constantly growing as more people subscribe.
This is still very early days, and I'd love your feedback.
If you'd like to learn more, click on the relevant council, or if your council doesn't appear, you can subscribe for free here: https://opencouncil.network
the lewisham one about the fried chicken shop on downham way is pretty funny tbh. like imagine being the licensing committee having to sit through a whole hearing about whether a chicken shop can sell booze. but also downham way already has like three chicken shops within a five minute walk so maybe it's for the best
the newham digital advertising contract is interesting too. 9.1 million for ads on bins and bus stops is a lot of money for a borough that's constantly saying it's skint. wonder if anyone actually asked residents if they want more screens flashing at them while they're waiting for the 473
Probably burying another perfectly good Victorian sewer somewhere under a new luxury apartment block. Or maybe finally getting around to fixing that pothole I reported six months ago. The suspense is killing me.
honestly the surrey one about closing bagshot community recycling centre is a bit of a tell. they always say they want to be greener but then make it harder to actually recycle stuff. my mate lives near there and now she's got to drive twice as far to the tip
Things to Do in London (2026)
Start with the classics: the Tower of London (EC3N 4AB) offers Crown Jewels and Beefeater tours, open daily 9am-5:30pm. Book timed tickets online to skip queues. Across the riv… 🏛️ Iconic Landmarks
Start with the classics: the Tower of London (EC3N 4AB) offers Crown Jewels and Beefeater tours, open daily 9am-5:30pm. Book timed tickets online to skip queues. Across the river, the London Eye (SE1 7PB) provides panoramic views; standard tickets start at £30 for adults.
🎭 West End Shows
Catch a musical or play in Theatreland around Leicester Square. Popular 2026 productions include "The Lion King" at the Lyceum and "Hamilton" at the Victoria Palace. For discounted tickets, visit the TKTS booth in Leicester Square on the day of the performance.
🌳 Royal Parks
Hyde Park (W2 2UH) is perfect for a morning stroll or a swim in the Serpentine Lido (open June-September). Regent's Park (NW1 4NR) features the Open Air Theatre from May to September. Both parks are free and offer pedal boat rentals.
🍽️ Food Markets
Borough Market (SE1 9AL) is a foodie haven open Wednesday-Saturday, with stalls selling everything from fresh oysters to artisanal cheese. For a more local vibe, head to Broadway Market (E8 4QJ) on Saturdays for street food and vintage finds. Arrive early to avoid crowds.
🚇 Getting Around
The Tube is the fastest way to travel; buy an Oyster card or use contactless payment for capped daily fares. A single journey in Zone 1 costs £2.80. For scenic views, take a river bus from Westminster to Greenwich (SE10 9HT), which costs around £8.50 one way.
🏙️ Hidden Neighborhoods
Explore Shoreditch (E1 6PU) for street art and independent boutiques, or visit Hampstead (NW3 1JR) for its village feel and heath. In 2026, the King's Cross area (N1C 4AB) continues to buzz with Coal Drops Yard's shops and restaurants. Each area offers a distinct London vibe.
🎨 Free Museums
The British Museum (WC1B 3DG) and the National Gallery (WC2N 5DN) are free and world-class. The British Museum opens daily 10am-5pm, with extended hours on Fridays. Book free timed entry online to guarantee access during peak seasons.
🌉 Evening Strolls
Walk along the South Bank from the London Eye to Tower Bridge for illuminated views of the city. Stop at Gabriel's Wharf (SE1 2PP) for street performers and casual dining. The walk takes about 45 minutes and is especially magical after sunset.
good guide, covers the lot. one thing i'd add for the evening strolls is that if you walk the south bank on a friday or saturday night, the tate modern's turbine hall stays open until 10pm and it's free. you can walk right through without queuing and the space is something else when it's quieter. they've usually got some massive installation in there that changes every year or so.
for a proper pub experience near the hidden neighbourhoods, try the harwood arms in marylebone (W1G 8PS). it's a tiny sam smiths pub that hasn't changed in decades, no music no tv, just a fireplace and old men reading newspapers. they do a decent pint for about £5 in zone 1 which is getting rare. perfect after a walk around regent's park.
also if you're hitting borough market, skip the long queues for the famous grilled cheese and go to the fish stall at the back instead. they do a massive pot of cockles or whelks for about £6 and you can eat them standing up with a little fork. proper london food that tourists usually walk past
solid guide, covers the main bases. one thing i'd throw in is that if you're doing free museums, the natural history museum (SW7 5BD) is also free and honestly more impressive than the british museum for the building alone. the hintze hall with that massive diplodocus skeleton is worth the trip, and it's right next to the science museum and the v&a so you can hit three in one day.
for a proper evening drink, skip the south bank bars and head to a pub in the city like the old bank of england or the counting house near bank station. they're these old banking halls turned into pubs, all high ceilings and marble, and they get actually quiet after 7pm on weekdays. the beer's normal price too, not tourist markup.
also if u want a proper london fry-up, avoid the tourist cafes near the landmarks and find a greasy spoon like e. pellicci in bethnal green (E2 0NG). cash only, queue out the door by 10am, but the bubble and squeak is unreal. feels like stepping into the 1950s.
Nice guide, covers the essentials well. One thing I'd add is that if you're doing the Tower of London, the Yeoman Warder tour is included with your ticket and genuinely worth the 45 minutes. Those guys have the best stories, way better than just wandering around on your own.
For a quieter alternative to Borough Market on a Saturday, try Maltby Street Market just down the road. It's more of a railway arch setup with smaller producers, and you can still get a great venison burger or some raclette without the human traffic jam.
Also worth noting that the river bus from Westminster to Greenwich is actually cheaper if you tap in with an Oyster card or contactless, it's about £7.70 versus the cash ticket price. The Cutty Sark stop drops you right at the museum and the market.