The next phase of a £7.6 million programme of investment in the key services which matter most to Nottingham people has been put forward by the City Council.
Support for children, young people, families, local businesses and cultural organisations is at the heart of the latest wave of investment proposals being discussed at the Council’s Executive Board meeting on 12 May.
The Council’s much improved financial position due to strong financial management and more money from the Government meant it could set a balanced budget including £25 million of extra investment to put additional resources into delivering the Council Plan.
The first phase of the programme announced last month saw £3.77m of investment in services including free bulky waste collection, street cleaning, free holiday swimming for under 16s, free period products, school uniform support, investment in apprenticeships and jobs and free events.
The second phase would see a further £3.83 million investment made in more of the services which make a major difference to the lives of Nottingham people, including:
- Young People’s Jobs Fund – supporting 1,000 young people over two years, removing financial barriers and funding placements, bootcamps and employer incentives alongside outreach and mental health support.
- Enhanced Youth Provision – increasing support for young people through up to 40 youth workers to provide earlier engagement and access to careers advice, skills development, wellbeing support and practical help.
- Enrichment Activities – music, arts, sports and leadership programmes for children from low‑income families.
- Free books for children – extending the Nottingham Imagination Library to provide more children from birth to five years with a monthly, high‑quality book delivered to their home, strengthening early language, literacy and school readiness.
- Nottingham Business Growth Service – targeted business support to provide specialist diagnostic and direct delivery to increase productivity and growth for SMEs in Nottingham
- Welfare rights – increasing welfare advice available to residents across Nottingham.
- Support for families – strengthening early intervention and prevention by improving how residents access information, advice and support within their local communities.
- Cultural Investment Fund – providing small grants to community organisations, cultural groups, festivals, artists and cultural organisations as well as larger events.
- Resident engagement – Reintroducing an annual resident’s survey to test perception of life in the city and satisfaction with the council; and the Arrow magazine to ensure all residents have access to information about services, events and activities.
Councillor Neghat Khan, Leader of Nottingham City Council, said: “Nottingham deserves a council that is ambitious and focused on delivering real change, and this next phase of investment shows exactly what that looks like in practice.
“By putting more resources into jobs for young people and youth services, support for families and businesses, and cultural opportunities, we are investing in people at every stage of life and helping communities thrive.
“These proposals build on the progress we have already made and demonstrate our commitment to tackling inequality, supporting families and creating opportunity across our city. There is more to do, but our direction is clear – we are continuing to deliver our Council Plan and build a fairer, stronger Nottingham.”
Councillor Ethan Radford, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Finance and Resources, said: “When we set our budget, we were clear that stronger finances should mean delivering for local residents, and this planned second phase of investment shows how we are turning that into action.
“By reinvesting in youth employment, business growth, and early intervention for families, we are targeting funding where it can make the greatest difference.
“This is about using our improved financial position responsibly – strengthening frontline services, supporting economic growth and ensuring that more people in Nottingham can access the help, opportunities and support they need in their everyday lives.”