Nottingham plans drastic service cuts amid crisis in funding

Nottingham city council has proposed cuts to youth services, care homes, public libraries and water features in public squares, leading to the loss of 500 jobs, in a plan to tackle its financial crisis after effectively declaring bankruptcy last month.

- Jessica Murray 

A report by council officers listed a number of proposals to address the local authority's £50m budget gap for 2024-25, due to be discussed by councillors next week before being put up for public consultation.

David Mellen, the leader of the Labour-run council, said the proposals did not yet have the full support of all councillors and the ruling group had some "extremely tough decisions" as it faced "the worst budget gap in living memory".

The proposals include closing the Ridge adventure playground and Bulwell play and youth centre, along with the Oaks and Cherry Trees residential care homes, which could lead to a loss of more than 90 jobs.

Charges would be introduced for the use of public toilets and garden waste collection, while water features in the city centre would be closed to reduce maintenance costs.