By Maria Zaccaro, Local Democracy Reporter

A “very small number” of cases of the B.1.617.2 – the variant of Covid-19 which first originated in India – have been detected in Southampton to date.

A campaign group is calling on the council to close the “bottleneck” at Woodmill to through traffic permanently to make it a “safer route”.

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A “part retrospective” planning application for a “first floor extension and fire escape staircase” at the Persian Cultural Centre on Manor Farm Road has been lodged.

As lockdown rules ease, The Butcher’s Hook has announced it's reopening this month, while Triangle newcomer Mbuntu opens for the first time.

Airport Expansion Opposition Southampton (AXO) has joined fifteen other national and community groups in writing to the government calling for all airport expansion in the UK to be put on hold.

By Maria Zaccaro, Local Democracy Reporter

Cllr Christopher Hammond, former leader of Southampton City Council, is standing down as leader of the city’s Labour party.

A grocery and alcohol delivery service known as Gorillas, intending to operate from the old Blockbuster building in Portswood, was granted a licence to sell alcohol on Wednesday (May 12).

By Maria Zaccaro, Local Democracy Reporter

A new leader of Southampton City Council and new cabinet members have been appointed.

Updated It looks like work to repair the building at Woodmill and fully reopen the road could be completed sooner than the provisional “mid July” date originally mooted, with one.network now listing it reopening by May 17, although Southampton Travel said on Friday lunchtime the situation is "still being assessed".

Police are warning residents to “be vigilant” following three catalytic converter thefts from vehicles last weekend.

By Maria Zaccaro, Local Democracy Reporter

Multi-million pound plans to transform Southampton are set to be reviewed as the Conservatives take control of the city council.

Southampton is on track as restrictions ease from Monday as part of the third stage of the government’s roadmap out of lockdown, says the city council.

Green initiatives, with a focus on health and wellbeing improvements, can apply for a one-off Green City Community Grant of up to £1500 before May 26.