Fifa delegates will be meeting with members of Newcastle City Council this week. The football officials will be assessing Newcastle's bid to host the 2018 world cup. Fifa's decision will be made in 100 days' time.

Teignbridge District Council has been declared the best council in Devon and rated 13th in England. These were the findings from the Local Government Association Ratings index which scored 350 councils in England. The leader of Teignbridge Council said: "A reputation is something that money can't buy and reflects the views of our residents."

Sandwell Council's Big Spring Clean campaign 2010 has caused them to represent the UK on an international stage. They have been invited to join International Green Heroes, a group of renowned environmental campaigners, to help advise the international community on how to be more environmentally-friendly.

Two BNP councillors have left the party in the past week. Deirdre Gates, Watford councillor, joins Seamus Dunne from Three Rivers in leaving the party. Gates will now stand as an "independent nationalist". Both councillors have resigned in protest at the BNP's leader, Nick Griffin.