We will be considering a new way of dealing with council-owned community buildings at our Executive Board meeting next week. It is something we’re looking at as part of our ongoing transformation programme, which aims to bring financial efficiencies and improve the way the council operates.

A new Community Asset Policy sets out how the council intends to manage our portfolio of community centres and other buildings occupied by community and voluntary organisations. Until now we haven’t had a formal policy, leading to inconsistencies. The policy aims to standardise the approach so it is consistent and fair.

It would allow certain buildings to be transferred from the council to other organisations such as community and voluntary groups, which would become responsible for maintenance and repair. We no longer consider peppercorn or free rent, but in lieu of social value to the wider community will accept a level of subsidy depending on quantifiable community benefits of the transfer, the value of the asset and the organisation’s ability to pay a full market rent.

More here

To mark International Mother Language Day on Tuesday 21 February, our libraries service is holding various events for all ages at the Mary Potter Centre in Hyson Green. 

 This will be a day of activities that will bring families together as they read and share stories in a variety of languages. We will be inviting families to share rhymes in their mother tongue. The day forms part of the citywide Year of Stories campaign, encouraging everyone in Nottingham to enjoy creating, sharing, and exploring stories throughout 2023. 

 Working with Literacy Champions and Read On Nottingham, there will also be a variety of activities to enjoy including messy play for the under-fives and crafts at an after-school family event. 

 Event times are 11am-2pm for under-fives and 3.30pm-5pm for families who are encouraged to go along and share their language and explore other languages too. For upcoming events click here  

We’re pleased to be encouraging children to eat more vegetables with the Eat Them to Defeat Them campaign from Veg Power.

In our catered schools that are participating, we’ll be serving four delicious international meals or tasters starting from 27th February. Veg Power are a not-for-profit national alliance with a mission to inspire children to enjoy eating vegetables. According to their research, 80% of children are not eating enough vegetables, with a third eating less than one portion a day.

This important national campaign aims to increase the amount of veg children are eating with their school campaign which took place in 3,845 schools last year and reached one million schoolchildren. Veg Power’s survey showed that 57% parents of children who took part in school said their children ate more veg. I hope the children enjoy the new recipes and it encourages them to eat more vegetables.

This year is the 75^th anniversary of the arrival of the MV Empire Windrush to the United Kingdom. The Windrush Grant Scheme is available for community groups, charities and councils to bid for a share of the £750,000 pot of funding to honour the Windrush legacy to date. 
 
The grant scheme is a part of the Government’s commitment to level up opportunity across diverse communities and help build greater trust in public services while improving outcomes for everyone.  
 
This year’s Windrush Day Grant Scheme will support groups to commemorate, celebrate and educate people about the contribution of the Windrush generation and their descendants across communities in our country.  
 
If you are interested in this scheme or want to  find more information - click here. Application Deadline: Wednesday 22 February, 12 pm