A public consultation about devolution for Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Derby, and Nottingham has begun.

The consultation is taking place from Monday 14 November until Monday 9 January 2023 and is an opportunity for everyone in the area to have their say about devolution proposals. It is open to residents, businesses, community and voluntary groups, and other organisations in the region.

The leaders of Derbyshire County Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, Derby City Council, and Nottingham City Council all signed up to work on a devolution deal on 30 August this year at Rolls Royce in Derby, following an announcement from the Government that a package of new powers and funding, worth £1.14 billion, were available for the area.

Nottinghamshire County Council and partners have kicked off a series of events across the county to help residents struggling with rising household bills. 

The County Council’s early help and support team have teamed up with district and borough partners to provide much-needed support to residents to help keep communities healthy and warm this winter. 

Forthcoming events, which will all offer a free lunch, include,

• Bingham Methodist Church, Thursday 24 November from 9.30am- 1pm, working with Rushcliffe Borough Council
• Castle House, Newark Wednesday 30 November from 1pm- 4pm, hosted by Newark & Sherwood District Council

Community grants, improved benefit advice and ways to cut down on energy bills are set to target Notts residents most in need.

A new package of support is planned by Nottinghamshire County Council to help those most affected by rising household bills.
 
Vulnerable residents and those on a low income are at the heart of these plans which aim to be put in place before Christmas. The support includes, 
 
• £450K worth of targeted grants for voluntary groups and community organisations to help them continue their vital work in the community.
• £100k to expand the benefits team to be able to offer more one-to-one cost of living advice. 
• £150k investment to provide more expert advice to improve energy efficiency in the home and to help cut down on bills.

By Councillor Keith Girling, Nottinghamshire County Council Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Asset Management.  

Times have been tough for local communities of late. Cost-of-living pressures and rising inflation have tightened purse strings. Unfortunately, these economic challenges have affected our council. In response, we’ve had to look closely at how we can deliver our high-quality public services even more efficiently.

Nevertheless, we are determined to deliver on our Nottinghamshire Plan ambition for a ‘healthy, prosperous, and greener Nottinghamshire’.

Applications are now open for children starting in reception and children due to transfer from an infant school to junior education (year 3) in September 2023, Nottinghamshire County Council has said.

For children who will turn five years old between 1 September 2023 and 31 August 2024, and for those children transferring from infant (year 2) to junior or primary school (year 3), parents and carers have until Sunday, 15 January 2023 to complete their application on time.

The easiest way is to complete the application form online at http://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/admissions. Online applications can be amended at any time before the closing date and parents can access their school offer on national offer day itself before any offer letters are mailed out.