Police are taking part in ‘Operation Sceptre’ - described as “intensified efforts to crack down on knife-enabled crime and violence” this week.

Southampton City Council (SCC) has opened its draft budget consultation for 23/24, as it says councils across the country face “unprecedented financial challenges from the cost-of-living crisis and continued rising demand for adult and children’s social care services”.

As the national cost of living crisis intensifies, the council says the city’s libraries, family hubs and housing with care schemes are extending a warm welcome to residents concerned about the cost of heating their homes and needing a safe place to go during this challenging time.

Arts Council England (ACE) has announced their investment in culture across the country, and Southampton has secured £3.88 million per year over the next three years.

‘It's going to set the scene for how we create a liveable city & deal with climate change for the next 20 years’

Residents, businesses and community groups are being invited to share their views on the council’ draft ‘City Vision’, Southampton’s new local plan, which will set out policies for years to come.

The Haunted House on the Hill Halloween display has raised £1700 - just over last year's total - for charity Abby's Heroes, it's been announced.

Whether you want to start growing your own food or you’re already an experienced gardener, you can order free seeds for collection next year as part of a ‘Big Seed Giveaway’.

Riverside Pre-school has received a hard-to-achieve ‘Outstanding’ rating following an inspection by the government’s watchdog Ofsted in September.
Photo: Google

Alehouse The Butcher’s Hook is starting a beer tasting club letting you try a selection of treats served from cask, keg and bottle.

It was revealed that over 17,000 Southampton homes will have negative household budgets as energy costs rise, at a Cost of Living Summit that took place at Solent University on October 14.

Work is due to start upgrading the junction of Thomas Lewis Way (TLW) and Mayfield Road on November 7 and expected to last six weeks, including three nights of TLW overnight closures. Photo: Google

Residents aim to ‘kick up a stink’ and put sewage on the agenda through an event on Saturday, November 12 in Riverside Park.

Food “so good [our] taste buds will travel to the Caribbean” is coming to the Triangle.

Independent bookshop October Books has launched a community share offer, “enabling people to co-own their bookshop while taking back control of their high street”.

Readers may be interested in a feature – and comments – on the resilience.org website about recent Transition Southampton projects: creating a newspaper in St Denys; ‘Imagine Bitterne Park’ & ‘Growing Places’ in the BP ward; and a gardening project in Northam. Read more >>

It’s time for the Autumnal Tidy-up at Chessel Bay Local Nature Reserve, and volunteers are invited to get involved.

By Jamie Shapiro, Local Democracy Reporter

E-scooters will continue to be a feature on Southampton’s roads for at least another 18 months following an extension by Southampton City Council.

Update 3: Two teenage boys were hospitalised with knife injuries following reports of an assault at Bitterne Park Triangle on Monday (Oct 17). Three other teenagers were arrested.

By Jamie Shapiro, Local Democracy Reporter

Cllr Daniel Fitzhenry, who represents Harefield ward, is again leader of the Southampton Conservative group, replacing Cllr Marley Guthrie.

Golden River Chinese takeaway at the Triangle on Manor Farm Road will close its doors for the final time on October 30, it’s been announced. Meanwhile a planning application’s been lodged for the former flower shop premises next door.