There’s exciting news for Newark Castle! Thanks to a major new investment from the Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, you could soon have the chance to explore parts of the Castle that have been closed off for years, including three historic underground dungeons.

Work has officially started on the regeneration of Yorke Drive in Newark, marking a major milestone for residents and the wider community!

This long-term project will deliver 207 new homes, improved sports and recreation facilities, better green spaces, energy-efficient affordable homes and safer, more welcoming connections with surrounding areas.

Together with our development partner Compendium Living, we marked the start on site alongside residents, councillors and project partners at a special event.

The first phase includes improvements to the playing fields, a new sports pavilion and new homes for existing residents moving as a result of the scheme.

We’ll continue to keep residents updated, listen to concerns and work with Compendium Living to minimise disruption wherever possible.

From helping young people build confidence to supporting local veterans and improving community facilities, Newark's Pride in Place Community Grant Scheme is helping great local projects do even more for the town.

A huge well done to the communities, businesses, schools and volunteers helping Newark and Sherwood shine! Their efforts have been recognised at this year's East Midlands in Bloom Awards, with a number of local entries receiving regional honours.

Several of the successful entries were supported by Newark and Sherwood District Council, highlighting the strong partnership work taking place across the district to enhance public spaces, encourage biodiversity and foster community pride. 

The government confirmed yesterday that a number of ministerial decisions on its national LGR programme have been ‘withdrawn’ as part of a wider review.

In Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, the government has confirmed that Local Government Reorganisation will continue, with a new decision to be made by early 2027, based on the proposals already submitted and assessed against the original criteria.

Throughout the government's review period, the nine councils across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire have continued to work collaboratively and will maintain that approach while awaiting a revised decision.

The government also confirmed that local elections will take place in May 2027 on existing council boundaries. Councillors elected in those elections will continue to serve their existing authorities until vesting day in April 2029.

Elections for shadow unitary authorities are expected to take place in May 2028, ahead of the new councils formally coming into effect in April 2029.

🍎 The first food waste collections have officially started for around 3,000 households taking part in our food waste recycling trial across Southwell, Lowdham, Lincoln Road and Hawtonville. Over the next six months, participants will help shape the future of food waste collections in Newark and Sherwood ahead of a district-wide rollout in 2027.

If you haven’t received a food waste caddy or any communication about the trial, your household is not taking part and your existing collection arrangements will remain unchanged.

♻️ Ever wondered what happens to your food waste? Once collected, it’s recycled into renewable energy and fertiliser through a process called anaerobic digestion, giving your leftovers a valuable new purpose while helping to power a greener future.

Over the coming weeks, you may spot our new Would You Leave It Here? campaign on social media.

The campaign highlights litter found in places where it doesn't belong and encourages people to think about the impact litter can have on the places we all care about.

While most residents take pride in their local area, there are simple ways everyone can help:

✅Report litter and overflowing bins
✅Join our Green Champions scheme and help care for your community 
✅Log your litter-picking activities through the Green Rewards app and earn rewards

Together, small actions can make a big difference in keeping Newark and Sherwood clean, green and welcoming for everyone.

As part of our ongoing support for local businesses and high streets across the district, we're encouraging everyone to get involved in the UK’s Favourite Local Business 2026 competition. Whether it's your go-to café, trusted hairdresser, favourite independent shop or local attraction, now is your chance to give them the recognition they deserve.

It's free to nominate, and both the winning business and one lucky nominator will receive a £1,000 Town & City Gift Card prize. Newark & Sherwood is currently sitting in 4th place nationally, so every nomination could help push our local businesses up the rankings before the competition closes on 30 November 2026.

Nominate your favourite business: Vote now

Support local year-round: Buy a Newark & Sherwood Gift Card

Join Imageskool at Sherwood Avenue Park on Saturday 31 October, from 10am to 2pm, for a free creative session.

🎨 Graffiti art project with Imageskool
🛡️ Visit the Community Protection Team's safety stall for advice and information
🤝 Meet the NSDC Community Safety Team
✅ Free, fun activity for local residents

Come along, get creative, and find out more about community safety services in your area.

📍 Sherwood Avenue Park, Newark, NG24 1QE
🕙 10am to 2pm
📅 Saturday 31 October

A small change is making a big difference for nature at one of our Housing with Care schemes!

Last year, we used a denser layer of bark chippings to help reduce the use of glyphosate and support local biodiversity at one of our sites – something residents had asked us to explore.

Now, a large number of mining bees have been discovered nesting in a sandy bank on the site. While we cannot say for certain that the change led to their arrival, reducing spraying is helping to create a more welcoming habitat for wildlife.

Mining bees are gentle, solitary wild bees that rarely sting. They nest in small underground tunnels and are important pollinators for fruit trees, flowers and shrubs.

It is great to see nature thriving and residents able to enjoy more wildlife on their doorstep.

If you’ve got a project that needs a boost to get off the ground, or you’re looking to expand the impact of something already making a difference, our Community Grant Scheme could help make it happen.

We’re looking to support a wide variety of meaningful, forward‑thinking and transformative projects. Additional weighting will also be given to applications that:

• Help address the cost-of-living crisis
• Support public protection by reducing crime or anti-social behaviour
• Enhance biodiversity or contribute to tackling climate change

💰 Groups can apply for up to £20,000, with grants over £5,000 requiring match funding to demonstrate shared commitment and impact.

Everyday emergencies like storms can disrupt the essential services you rely on - like your phone, water, power and the internet.

Taking a few simple steps to prepare can make a big difference!

If you or someone you know might need extra support during a gas, electricity or water outage, they may be able to sign up for the Priority Services Register. It’s a free service that ensures utility companies know who may need extra assistance. Lots of households are eligible, including those of pensionable age, people with long-term illnesses, and families with children under 5.

Find out more about how to prepare and check your eligibility for extra help at: GOV.UK/BeReady

We’re expanding our Housing Repairs and Empty Homes team with 13 new permanent roles - helping us complete more repairs, respond effectively to emergencies and bring empty council homes back into use sooner.

The investment is expected to provide capacity for an extra 30 to 40 repair appointments each day - around 7,500 to 10,000 additional repair activities a year.

The new roles will include eight operatives, specialist and supervisory posts, and two customer service repairs advisers. By growing our permanent in-house team, we aim to provide a more responsive, reliable and resilient service while keeping tenants better informed.

Recruitment will begin in the coming months.

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