14 h. ago Country diary: The strange sight of cattle on sand dunes | Rob Schofield

Sefton, Merseyside: These longhorns will be here till spring, roaming (almost) free, disturbing the ground, creating a foothold for native wildlifeThey’re huddled at the entrance to their enclosure: a quartet of broad‑backed ruminants contemplating their winter lodgings. They arrived yesterday, when the dunes were under siege from wind and rain. But these are hardy cattle and there are plenty of hollows in which to shelter. This group might be here until April – there’s no rush to explore.The council’s Green Sefton service has two winter-grazing enclosures over more than 228 hectares of the Ainsdale and Birkdale Sandhills nature reserve. English longhorns, on loan from the Lancashire Wildlife Trust, are used for conservation grazing to help manage the sand dune grassland and dune slack habitats. At other times of the year, herpetologists might encounter sand lizards, great-crested newts and natterjack toads. Today I’m visiting to view the cattle up close, to understand this pro...

Politics

34 h. ago North Lanarkshire Council's housing service continues strong performance

Latest independent Scottish Housing Regulator’s Landlord Report highlights positive service delivery in homes and rents, tenant satisfaction, quality and maintenance of homes, neighbourhoods and value for money categories.

Politics

37 h. ago The 288 Manchester council services set to cost more next year

The council believes raising prices on the services will raise an extra £1.8m per year

Politics

3 d. ago Trump wants to see his name on DC’s new NFL stadium and has lobbied the team owner to make it happen: report

The D.C. Council and the National Parks Service would have to sign off on the stadium’s name before it could bear the president’s moniker

Politics

6 d. ago Double UK wide win for West Lothian Leisure at UK Active Awards

West Lothian Leisure, which manages health, sport and leisure services on behalf of West Lothian Council, was the only Scottish Community Leisure Trust to win an award.

Events

8 d. ago None of 260 new West Lothian Council vehicles purchased are electric

The council’s Operational Services department is testing some light commercial EVs, a meeting was told, but none have entered full time service with the council.

Politics

9 d. ago Council set to ban bonfire over safety but others hit back saying ‘it’s tiny!’

A huge mound of furniture and other items which has been dumped for a bonfire in a Valleys park has prompted the council, police and fire service to get involved

Events

9 d. ago BBC TV licence price set to rise above £180 next year in new cost of living blow

The TV licence fee is set by the Government and it normally rises every April, in line with the previous September rate of Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation

Economics

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Emma Guy was taken to court by the city council over her minding service

Economics

1 week ago Every match Liverpool’s injured players could miss in tough spell for Arne Slot

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Sport

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Politics

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The new rules are being introduced in an effort to curb antisocial behaviour, with the council revealing the negative impacts on their neighbours and local services

Politics

1 week ago Londoners face rocketing council tax bills as half of boroughs warn of bankruptcy by 2028

London’s town halls will be £4.7 billion short of covering the costs of providing services by 2029, resulting in “inevitable” cuts and council tax rises

Events

1 week ago Man due in court to face murder charge after Uxbridge stabbing attack

Officers and paramedics were called to reports of a triple stabbing at about 5pm.

Events

1 week ago Lanarkshire Lieutenancy to lay wreaths at nearly 70 war memorials over Remembrance weekend

There will be five main council Remembrance Services held across Lanarkshire on November 9.

Events

2 w. ago London 'will avoid worst of Angela Rayner's council funding raid' after fears of huge tax rises and service cuts

Former deputy prime minister had proposed to channel funding away from the capital into more deprived areas of the country

Economics

2 w. ago Ayrshire care worker shouted and threw wet underwear at dementia patient

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Science

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Society

3 w. ago Exact amount DWP benefits set to increase next April including Universal Credit and State Pension

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Politics

3 w. ago Renfrewshire social care worker fell asleep on night shift leaving vulnerable adults "at risk"

An investigation by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) found that Ross Clark deliberately went to sleep. during a shift last year.

Events