No better investment than the future of children’s education.

School expansion tackles capacity issue.

A major expansion at Rushcliffe Spencer Academy in West Bridgford has been given the green light.

The school joins a long list of schools across the county that will see millions of pounds invested by Nottinghamshire County Council over the next 12 – 18 months, ensuring children in Notts get the best possible education in modern, well-equipped schools.

The multi-million pound expansion at Rushcliffe Spencer Academy will see an additional 560 secondary school places created and provide the local community with a new improved sports facility.

Nottinghamshire County Council is to increase its package of foster care allowances as part of an ongoing drive to retain its current carers and attract more people to its fostering service.

The decision means the county council’s payments will rise from between £28 and £139 per week to £80 and £230 respectively from April 1 – ensuring that its allowances are competitive in the East Midlands region.

All foster parents receive a weekly allowance to help cover the costs of providing care for a child, with the level of payment they get dependent on the age of the youngster and the complexity of the care needs as well as their years of service to fostering.

Nottinghamshire County Council is set to create five new Local Nature Reserves (LNR) on existing County Council Green Spaces. In Nottinghamshire, there are currently 67 LNRs, of which six are owned by the County Council. 

The County Council is embarking on the first steps in the designation process, including preparing detailed management plans, for the sites that will be submitted to Natural England.  

Post-pandemic plans to reinvigorate Notts’ visitor economy have been given a boost – thanks to feedback from those at the heart of the industry.

Visitor attractions, local businesses and suppliers had their say on the future of the county's visitor economy as part of a six-week consultation which included an online survey and face- to-face events last Autumn. 

Those who took part included the Arts Council, business forums, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Visit England as well as district, borough and parish councils. 

Residents are being asked for their views on a plan which sets out potential improvements to cycling and walking networks across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire as part of a plan to connect communities, deliver cross boundary routes and improve facilities in the area.

Nottinghamshire County Council has been working in partnership with Derby City Council, Derbyshire County Council and Nottingham City Council to develop a D2N2 wide Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) which will help secure investment in cycling and walking routes over the next 15 years.

Nottinghamshire County Council’s Trading Standards team is offering free bespoke support and advice to Nottinghamshire businesses until 31 March 2024 to help them negotiate complex legal requirements in a post-Brexit economy. Whether they are selling four candles or manufacturing fork handles, local firms are being urged to take up the offer and make sure their businesses are safe and legal.

Since the UK left the EU, there have been many legislative changes that Nottinghamshire business owners might not be aware of. This puts businesses and consumers at risk because products and services may not be meeting new legal requirements. 

Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs) representing Nottinghamshire, who are supported by the Council’s Youth Service, sat in the House of Commons to discuss issues facing young people, specifically the cost of living and health, as well as mental health challenges.

Youth Parliament members Oliver Key, MYP for Rushcliffe, Muhammed Malik, MYP for Gedling, Darcy Griffiths, MYP for Bassetlaw and Gemini Tait, MYP for Pioneers, were among more than 100 young people from across the country who participated in the sitting, which provided a platform for them to voice their concerns and offer solutions to important issues.