Why do people put themselves forward to be councillors? What does the role actually involve? How much are they really paid - and what horrors can they face when campaigning on the doorstep? Listen to our full conversation with Bitterne Park ward councillor Phil Webb, now available on our digest+ channel.

Police warn of a surge in vehicle theft reports across Townhill Park, Bitterne Park and Harefield, and say anyone spotting car doors being tried late at night should call 999.

Yarrow Heights School on Cobden Avenue has submitted a planning application to allow the reduction of trees growing towards an access road.

 By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter

A Townhill Park resident has been blocked from felling a tree outside their Southampton home after their request for permission to cut it down sparked the council to make a preservation order.

 By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter

A councillor question over the use of a Portswood hotel to accommodate asylum seekers received a single word answer.

By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter

Authorities may have to kill fish that were placed in a Southampton Common lake due to the risk they pose to a protected species.

An application to change the use of a detached house on Glenfield Avenue from a dwelling to a children’s residential home has been approved at a city council planning meeting.

 By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter

The airport saw its request for a licence to carry out the work in South Stoneham Cemetery, which also involves cutting back a further 10 trees, approved by the city council’s cabinet in July.  
Library photo of runway

Regular visitors to Riverside Park will have already noticed new ‘Water Rescue Cabinets’ along the waterside path, officially unveiled by the council this week.

A new nursery providing early years provision for up to 90 children from age two to school age on a term-time basis has opened at Bitterne Park Primary School.

 By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter

The ambitions of the scrapped Portswood bus gate are “still very much alive”, according to the city council’s deputy leader.

Former Labour councillor Tony Bunday, who joined the Lib Dems earlier this year, has announced he’s been selected to stand in the Bitterne Park ward at next May’s city council elections – likely pitting him against his former Labour teammate and incumbent Cllr Phil Webb.

A Macmillan Coffee Morning takes place at Cobbett Road library on Friday, September 26 with drinks and cakes to raise funds for cancer support.

Following the decision to suspend the Portswood Project trial in May, Southampton City Council has confirmed that the scheme with a bus gate on Portswood Broadway will not be moving ahead.

A cashpoint machine at the Triangle looks set to be removed.

The Old Chemist, run by Oasis Church at the Triangle, is “on target” to reopen at the end of October following a £180k upgrade to the building.

By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter

The Green Party is calling for authorities to prevent protests from continuing outside the Highfield House Hotel, where asylum seekers are housed.

The council has appointed Sovereign Network Group (SNG) to build around 170 “affordable homes” at Townhill Park.

The so-called Woodmill Bay area, currently being landscaped in Riverside Park, will still provide public access to the water, it has been confirmed.

Now available is our behind-the-scenes look at The Butcher’s Hook pub at The Triangle, with General Manager Ant James...