Major plans for faster and more reliable internet speeds for communities who need it the most have moved a step closer.

Nottinghamshire County Council, which is leading a D2N2 Gigahubs project across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, have appointed telecommunication specialists Neos Networks to deliver the scheme. Neos is partnering up with Openreach and Netomnia to help with the infrastructure build.

Initial survey work has already begun with the aim of benefitting up to 28 public buildings in rural locations such as libraries, schools, doctors’ surgeries to have faster, reliable gigabit broadband.

Nottinghamshire County Council welcomed the news that the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme funding will continue for 2025. This means that children and young people aged 5 to 16 years, who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals will continue to benefit from enriching activities and nutritious meals during school holidays.

Councillor Tracey Taylor, Nottinghamshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Families, said: “I am delighted to welcome the continuation of funding for the HAF programme for 2025-26, meaning local children and young people will be able to benefit from hundreds of activities around the county in the year ahead. This is a testament to the positive impact the programme has had to date and I am sure this will be a welcome boost for families.

“I’m pleased that we will be able to build on its success and remove some of the barriers that families face during the school holidays. We aim to ensure even more eligible families benefit from it this year.”

Nottinghamshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and SEND, Councillor Ben Bradley, made his comments in response to a petition to the council asking for improvements to be made.

Councillor Bradley said: “We absolutely recognise the issue and sympathise with young people and families. We know that there are huge challenges in the SEND system.

“We are doing everything in our power to ensure that we are improving all the elements that are within our local control, and providing the best services possible to Nottinghamshire families, whilst recognising that we still have more work to do.”

Foster carers offer children and young people a safe and loving home in their own local communities.

Lots of people think fostering won’t fit into their lives due to work or family, so I want to tell you about Laura.

Laura is a Nottinghamshire mum working full time with three children of her own. When a friend of her eldest daughter unexpectedly became homeless, Laura didn’t think she had the time or resources to care for another child long term; but finding out the young person had nowhere else to go, she applied to become a foster carer to be that safe place in a time of need.

Nottinghamshire County Council is set to discuss the formation of a new joint venture partnership to safeguard the long-term sustainability of its catering and facilities management service.

The proposal will be reviewed by the council’s Cabinet on Thursday, 6 February 2025, alongside potential adjustments to school meal pricing.

The Catering and Facilities Management Service provides high-quality meals, cleaning, landscaping, and maintenance services to schools, residents, and businesses across the county. However, the service is under increasing financial strain due to rising inflation such as rising food costs, wage rises and increasing energy prices – requiring a £2.5 million subsidy from the council in the current financial year. The upcoming National Insurance increases will add a further £1 million onto the staffing costs of the service from April 2025.

NottAlone LIVE returns for its third year, bringing two exciting mental health and wellbeing events for young people in Nottinghamshire during Children’s Mental Health Week.

More than 500 children and young people from schools across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire are expected to attend the free NottAlone Live events, which will promote positive mental health, wellbeing, and resilience.

Each event will host main stages to showcase local talent and inspiring talks, hold workshops for the children to take part in, and local mental health and wellbeing services will offer activities and provide information about how they can support young people.