The Nottingham City Council met on 8 September 2025, and approved the Nottingham Community Safety Partnership Strategy 2025-2028, adopted revised library bylaws, adopted the Nottinghamshire and Nottingham Waste Local Plan, and approved amendments to the council's constitution. The meeting also addressed questions from citizens and councillors on topics ranging from college course changes to library provisions and transport issues.

Here's a more detailed look at the key topics discussed:

• Nottingham Community Safety Partnership (NCSP) Strategy 2025-2028 The council approved and adopted the NCSP Strategy 2025-2028, which outlines the partnership's approach to reducing crime, substance use, re-offending and anti-social behaviour. The strategy identifies key priorities such as slavery and exploitation, domestic and sexual violence and abuse, preventing radicalisation and violent extremism, serious violence, substance use and anti-social behaviour. Councillor Corall Jenkins, Executive Member for Neighbourhoods, Waste and Equalities, presented the strategy, which was developed in line with the findings of the Strategic Assessment 2024¹ and approved by the NCSP Board on 16 May 2025.
• Adoption of Revised and Updated Library Bylaws The council adopted amended draft model library bylaws intended to help libraries deliver services safely, protect library property, and ensure libraries are welcoming to all. The bylaws, detailed in Appendix A, will apply to all statutory libraries operated by the council. Councillor Corall Jenkins stated that the adoption is subject to approval from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
• Adoption of the Nottinghamshire and Nottingham Waste Local Plan The council formally adopted the Nottinghamshire and Nottingham Waste Local Plan, which sets out a planning policy framework for sustainable waste management up to 2038. The plan aims to promote a circular economy and prioritises waste prevention, reuse, recycling and recovery. The council delegated authority to the Head of Planning Strategy to make final editorial changes before publication. The Inspector's Report June 2025 concluded that the plan is legally compliant and sound for adoption with the recommended modifications.
• Amendments to the Constitution The council approved amendments to its constitution, including revisions to the Financial Regulations (Article 17) and the Contract Procedure Rules (Article 18). The council also approved name changes for two scrutiny committees: the Place, Economy and Infrastructure Scrutiny Committee, which will now be called the Homes, Economy and Infrastructure Scrutiny Committee; and the People and Communities Scrutiny Committee, which will now be called the People, Communities and Environment Scrutiny Committee.
• Questions from Citizens
  • A citizen raised concerns about the closure of level 1 and 2 courses at Confetti College, and asked how the council would support vulnerable young people with special educational needs. Councillor Linda Woodings, Executive Member for Regional Development, Growth and Transport, responded that the council was notified late about the decision by Nottingham Trent University (NTU) and had expressed strong concerns about the impact on vulnerable learners. She confirmed that the council is working with NTU and other providers to find alternative placements for the affected students.
  • A citizen asked for an update on the transfer of Aspley, Basford and Bilborough Libraries to Advance Nottingham, formerly Castle Cavendish. Councillor Corall Jenkins responded that discussions are ongoing, and Memorandums of Understanding have been drafted for all three sites. The libraries will operate for 22½ hours per week, and there will be no transfer of undertakings under the TUPE Regulations.
  • A citizen asked if the council would commit to reopening The Ridge Adventure Playground in time for the summer holidays. Councillor Cheryl Barnard, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, replied that the decision to close the playground was made as part of the budget setting process and that the council will continue to assess the options, considering what is viable ahead of the summer holidays.
• Petitions from Councillors on Behalf of Citizens
  • Councillor Jay Hayes presented a petition on behalf of parents at Henry Whipple School and residents on Padstow Road about road safety at school pick up and drop off times.
  • Councillor Georgia Power presented a petition on behalf of residents who attend the Knit and Natter at Southglade Library regarding changes to the opening times of the library.
  • Councillor Georgia Power presented a petition on behalf of 1014 residents urging the council to stop the planned closure of The Ridge Adventure Playground.
• Questions from Councillors
  • Councillor Steve Battlemuch asked about the progress made in achieving the council's vision for the city since May 2023. Councillor Neghat Khan, Leader of the Council, highlighted achievements such as building new council homes, making homes more energy efficient, regenerating the city centre, and supporting families and communities.
  • Councillor Carole McCulloch asked about the steps the council is taking to secure sustainable funding for the city. Councillor Ethan Radford, Deputy Leader of the Council, outlined the challenges faced due to funding cuts since 2010 and the efforts to lobby for fair funding.
  • Councillor Adele Williams asked about the opening of Sherwood Library. Councillor Neghat Khan replied that she shares the frustration of residents and that the council is considering legal options due to issues with the building's condition.
  • Councillor Michael Savage asked about the government's 10 Year Health Plan and its implications for Nottingham. Councillor Helen Kalsi, Executive Member for Adult Social Care, outlined the challenges faced by the social care system and the potential benefits of the plan in shifting services to community-based settings.
  • Councillor Andrew Rule asked about the rationale for changing the criteria for concessionary parking permits. Councillor Linda Woodings replied that she would provide a definitive response after investigating the specific case.
  • Councillor Maria Watson asked about the number of road traffic incidents involving e-bikes and e-scooters in Nottingham since 2020. Councillor Linda Woodings provided data on reported collisions and information from regulated e-scooter schemes.
  • Councillor David Mellen asked about the steps being taken to ensure Nottingham remains a welcoming and inclusive city for the LGBTQ+ community. Councillor Corall Jenkins outlined the importance of Pride celebrations and the council's commitment to inclusivity.
  • Councillor Salma Mumtaz asked about the council's support for the Summer Reading Challenge. Councillor Cheryl Barnard outlined the activities and partnerships involved in promoting reading among children during the summer holidays.
  • Councillor Kevin Clarke asked about public speaking at Planning Committee meetings. Councillor Kirsty L Jones, Vice Chair of the Planning Committee, replied that there is no statutory right for members of the public to speak at planning committee meetings and that any changes to the terms of reference would need to be approved by Council.
  • Councillor Kevin Clarke asked about tweets made by Councillor Kirsty L Jones. Councillor Kirsty L Jones replied that the tweets were lawful political opinions made prior to 5 July 2025, the date when Palestine Action was proscribed.
  • Councillor Kevin Clarke asked about safeguards to ensure that no student accommodation is built on the former Broadmarsh site. Councillor Neghat Khan replied that the site is not earmarked for student accommodation and that the collaboration agreement with Homes England commits to delivering the Broadmarsh regeneration in line with the master plan.
  • Councillor Kirsty M Jones asked about the criteria used to allocate funding to retrofit council properties from the Warm Homes Social Fund. Councillor Jay Hayes replied that the funding will be directed towards council properties below an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C.
  • Councillor Maria Watson asked about provision in the budget to cover potential legal claims arising from failure to maintain trees on council land. Councillor Jay Hayes replied that the council has insurance and risk management processes to address potential legal claims.
• Decisions Taken Under Urgency Procedures The council noted that since the last report in May 2025, there had been no decisions taken under the urgency provisions within the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules and no decisions under the special urgency provisions within the Access to Information Procedure Rules.
• Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2024-25 The council accepted the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report for 2024/25, summarising the activity carried out by the council's scrutiny committees.

Written responses to questions from councillors were also included in the minutes.