Nottingham City Council (NCC) has announced its plans for the £600,000 Community Recovery Fund, awarded by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
The grant aims to address the aftermath of violent disorder that took place between July and August 2024, focusing on community cohesion, reducing future risks of disorder, and rebuilding social trust.
Background and Allocation of Funds
The MHCLG awarded Nottingham the funds as part of the national Community Recovery Fund, specifically targeting local areas affected by social unrest. The funding must be primarily spent by 31st March 2025, though NCC has approval to extend some spending into subsequent years.
The £600,000 allocation is divided into revenue and capital expenditure:
£510,000 in revenue: Directed toward staffing, community projects, and grants.
£90,000 in capital: Investment in physical resources such as vehicles and equipment.
Cohesion and Hate Crime Strategy (£159,500 by March 2026)
A crucial element of the funding is the reintroduction of a Cohesion and Hate Crime Officer, with an 18-month tenure costing £79,500. This role is expected to revive proactive community engagement efforts, a function that was lost when NCC’s Community Cohesion Team was disbanded in 2021.
Additionally, £80,000 will be invested in the Cohesion and Hate Crime Project Fund to support various initiatives, including reviewing and relaunching Nottingham’s hate crime strategy, enhancing governance structures, and working with communities to counter misinformation and harmful narratives.
Grants Programme (£324,000 by March 2025)
To ensure funds reach affected communities directly, NCC has outlined a three-tiered grant system:
Cohesion Events Fund: Small grants (£1,500-£2,000) for cultural and community events.
Small Community Cohesion Grants Fund: Up to £5,000 for grassroots activities promoting social unity.
Large Community Cohesion Grants Fund: Multi-year grants for in-depth, long-term projects addressing underlying issues.
The Nottingham Council for Voluntary Service will oversee the distribution of these grants, with a panel comprising NCC officers and community representatives making funding decisions.
Youth Provision (£26,500 by March 2025)
Recognising the role of young people in preventing future disorder, funding has been earmarked for educational and engagement initiatives. This includes:
Youth work programmes focused on conflict resolution.
Initiatives supporting young women and girls affected by gang-related activities.
Projects addressing disproportionality in community-police relations.
Capital Investments (£90,000 by March 2025)
In an effort to bolster community safety and engagement, the council will purchase:
Community Engagement Vehicle (£85,000): A mobile hub staffed by Neighbourhood Safety Officers to be deployed in areas of high tension.
Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Response Car (£5,000): A dedicated vehicle to respond to incidents, deployed via Nottinghamshire Police.
Virtual Reality Headsets: To be used in a joint initiative with local councils and West Notts College, educating young people about the dangers of radicalisation.
While the funding provides significant opportunities, the council acknowledges risks, particularly regarding the lack of finalised standard monitoring guidance from MHCLG. However, a transparent audit trail and a light-touch approach to monitoring will ensure compliance.
The MHCLG has expressed confidence in Nottingham’s proposed interventions, allowing local authorities to exercise discretion in spending. The city’s Corporate Director for Finance & Resources has approved a plan for rolling some funds into subsequent years to ensure effective implementation.
