Nottingham City Council has published its new improvement plan setting out how it will build on the major progress it has made and deliver better outcomes for residents through a renewed focus on service quality and long-term sustainability.
The Continuous Service Improvement Plan marks a significant step forward in the Council’s improvement journey, embedding ongoing improvement across all services and functions.
It follows the on-time departure earlier this year of Commissioners who had been working with the authority and the Government’s appointment of two Ministerial Envoys to provide ongoing expertise, with Local Government Minister, Alison McGovern saying the Council is now on a much stronger footing.
The new plan builds on the foundations laid by the 2024 Improvement Plan, which focused on stabilising the Council’s finances, strengthening governance, and restoring confidence.
It outlines how the Council will consistently deliver high-quality, efficient and effective services that meet the needs of Nottingham’s residents.
At its core, the plan introduces seven priority service improvement areas – including adult and children’s social care, housing, customer services and waste – supported by nine cross-cutting programmes to strengthen governance, finance, workforce and digital capabilities.
The plan also places stronger emphasis on outcomes, ensuring services are shaped by evidence, resident experience, and partnership working, while maintaining a firm focus on financial sustainability and best value.
Council Leader, Councillor Neghat Khan, said: “Following the progress we have made in renewing the Council, delivering for local people and improving our financial position, this plan sets out the next stage of our journey.
“Our ambition is to be one of the most improved councils in the country, delivering high-quality, reliable services that residents can trust.
“The new plan demonstrates our commitment to making that ambition a reality, focusing on what matters most to local people – better services, stronger communities and a council that is open, accountable and focused on delivering real results.
“To support this, we recently announced a £7.6m programme of investment in key services including free bulky waste collection, street cleaning and free holiday swimming for under 16s, support for children, young people, families, local businesses and cultural organisations.”
The plan reinforces the council’s commitment to working closely with residents, partners and stakeholders, ensuring services are designed around need and continuously improved through feedback and data.
Chief Executive, Sajeeda Rose, said: “The Continuous Service Improvement Plan represents an important milestone in our improvement journey.”
“Over the past year, we have made significant progress in strengthening the organisation and creating the foundations for long-term success.
“We are now setting out how we will embed continuous improvement as a core discipline across the Council – ensuring that everything we do is focused on delivering better outcomes for residents.
“We know there is more to do, but we now have a clear, evidence-based framework that will help us deliver consistent, measurable and lasting improvements across all our services.”
The CSIP is designed as a live framework, with robust governance and performance monitoring arrangements to track progress and ensure accountability. It also aligns with national Best Value requirements, ensuring the Council continues to improve while delivering value for money for taxpayers.