Nottinghamshire creates £140m emergency care framework for children

April Lara
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Nottinghamshire creates £140m emergency care framework for children

Nottinghamshire County Council has approved a £140 million procurement framework to manage emergency care placements and crisis support for children. The 10-year framework will pre-approve care providers capable of delivering urgent support, including last-minute foster placements and in-home interventions aimed at preventing children from entering care.

The move is intended to replace costly, inconsistent “spot contracts” with a controlled system that improves service quality and procurement efficiency. Providers will be vetted through a digital tendering platform to ensure financial and operational suitability.

The framework will be used only when existing contracts cannot meet urgent needs. It is expected to reduce budget volatility in children’s services and create a more competitive, responsive local provider market. Annual spending could reach up to £14 million, exclusive of VAT.

Patchy broadband slows tech adoption on UK farms

April Lara
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Patchy broadband slows tech adoption on UK farms

Poor internet connectivity is delaying digital transformation across UK farms, particularly in Derbyshire, where rural operations are struggling to access reliable broadband. A new nationwide survey of British farmers highlights the extent to which sluggish internet is blocking progress in adopting technologies such as artificial intelligence, real-time monitoring, and precision farming tools.

According to the Censuswide study commissioned by CityFibre, 60% of farmers see internet access as essential to daily operations, yet 8% of farms are still entirely offline. Even among those connected, nearly half say the lack of reliable broadband is a key barrier to embracing new technology—second only to cost.

The impact is not just operational. Many farmers report having to avoid internet use during peak hours, disrupting both business and family life. Inadequate connectivity also contributes to social isolation in rural areas, cutting farmers off from community resources and affecting wellbeing.

Where full fibre broadband is available, farms report notable improvements: 47% have been able to deploy precision farming systems, while others have seen boosts in administrative efficiency, land diversification, and general productivity.

The findings underline the importance of accelerating rural broadband infrastructure. CityFibre, awarded nine government contracts under the Project Gigabit initiative, is contributing to a £1.2 billion investment aimed at connecting over 500,000 hard-to-reach rural premises, including both homes and agricultural businesses.

Updated proposals shared for £20m Bulwell town centre improvements

Tess Egginton
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Updated proposals shared for £20m Bulwell town centre improvements
Updated proposals are being shared as part of £20m improvements for Bulwell town centre. Nottingham City Council successfully bid for £19.8m from the previous government’s Levelling Up Fund to revamp the area and boost economic growth. Bulwell town centre is valued in Nottingham because of its longstanding retail offer but it was felt that major infrastructure improvements would enhance this further. The planned works will complement recent transport infrastructure investment through the Transforming Cities Fund. This provided £900,000 for the redevelopment of Bulwell bus station in 2023, which included redesigning the layout – installing a new saw-tooth design – and building new passenger waiting platforms. Nottingham City Transport has also invested £1.8m of private-sector funding into a new electric bus fleet that operates from the facility. The new project will deliver a range of improvements to make the town centre more attractive, including:
  • Bulwell Bogs: The Bulwell Bogs area will be fully refreshed with a new planting and landscape design, including a high-quality play offer to cater for all ages. It will see renewal and expansion of the splash park and introduction of a refreshments kiosk with toilet and changing facilities to make the park a great place to visit – particularly in summer months. Lighting and CCTV will also be upgraded
  • Market place: Existing market equipment will be replaced with a flexible mix of stalls, along with better access to electrical power on site, allowing flexibility in attracting both new and existing vendors
  • Bus station public toilets: The existing bus station toilets will be rebuilt and modernised
  • Wider public realm refurbishment: Paving will be renewed across the pedestrianised areas of the town centre along with new seating and street trees. Connections will be improved between the Market Place and the Bogs area to bring these separate parts of the town centre together
A further aspiration, subject to available budget, is to work with owners and tenants to improve historic buildings around the Market Place, in keeping with its conservation area status and complementing the Public Realm design. The council had submitted a bid in June 2022 to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), as they were called then under the previous Government, seeking funding through the second round of the Levelling Up Fund. Officers spoke to a significant number of local stakeholders in developing the bid, but this was initially unsuccessful. However, in November 2023, DLUHC announced that the full funding (£19.867m) would be awarded in the fund’s third round of grants. Councillor Neghat Khan, Leader of Nottingham City Council and Executive Member for Strategic Regeneration, Transport and Communications, said: “These are further exciting plans for Nottingham and another example of the council using grant funding to support communities across our city. “We did well to secure this money amid a lot of competition from around the country and we hope that residents, families and businesses in Bulwell will be pleased at what is delivered. “The much-loved Bulwell Bogs splash park is nearing the end of its life and this is an opportunity to both build on its popularity and safeguard its future with a new and enhanced facility, as well as extend the park around it. “There will also be significant work done to the wider public areas of Bulwell, including the market square and public toilets. “We look forward to work starting in the autumn. We deliberately scheduled the works for this time of the year so that the splash park could remain open during the summer for families to enjoy. The market will also operate throughout.”

Hospitals offer resignation scheme to cut back-office workforce

April Lara
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Hospitals offer resignation scheme to cut back-office workforce

University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN), which manages Northampton General Hospital and Kettering General Hospital, has launched a Mutually Agreed Resignation Scheme (MARS) in an effort to reduce staffing levels without resorting to compulsory redundancies.

The scheme, which opened this week, targets corporate, administrative, and support roles. Patient-facing clinical staff are not included in the offer. Under MARS, employees can apply to resign in exchange for a severance payment. Unlike standard voluntary redundancy, the process does not require formal consultation.

UHN stated the approach aims to manage staffing reductions in a structured and voluntary way. However, unions have raised concerns about the impact on workloads and patient services if significant numbers of staff leave. NHS guidelines stipulate that such schemes must be time-limited, typically no longer than three months.

While not guaranteeing avoidance of future layoffs, UHN is using MARS as a first step to restructure and streamline operations.

Solar energy project near Heckington moves to next approval stage

April Lara
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Solar energy project near Heckington moves to next approval stage

The proposed Beacon Fen Energy Park, a large-scale solar and battery storage development located 2.5 km north of Heckington, is advancing to the pre-examination phase after the UK Planning Inspectorate accepted its Development Consent Order (DCO) application.

The project, led by renewable energy firm Low Carbon, aims to deliver approximately 400 megawatts of electricity through ground-mounted solar panels, with an additional 600 megawatts of battery storage capacity. It is intended to support the UK Government’s target of reaching 70 gigawatts of solar power by 2035.

Now in the pre-examination stage, the scheme will undergo a formal six-month review in 2025, involving written submissions and public hearings. Businesses and stakeholders can register to participate in the process through the Planning Inspectorate’s platform.

If granted consent, construction could begin as early as 2027. The project is positioned to contribute to the UK’s net zero ambitions while strengthening long-term energy security through increased renewable generation and storage infrastructure.

Lincolnshire elder care charity shuts down amid ongoing financial strain

April Lara
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Lincolnshire elder care charity shuts down amid ongoing financial strain

Age UK Lindsey, a long-established charity supporting older adults in Lincolnshire, will cease operations this week due to sustained financial pressure. The closure affects services provided across West Lindsey, East Lindsey, and North Lincolnshire.

The organisation cited a combination of long-term funding shortfalls, rising operational costs—including increases in National Insurance contributions and the national minimum wage—and lingering economic fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic and cost-of-living crisis.

While Age UK Lindsey is shutting down, related services in the region will continue through Age UK Lincoln and South Lincolnshire, which is working to absorb affected clients and coordinate future support.

This closure underscores a broader trend within the UK voluntary sector. According to the Charity Commission, financial pressures have reduced public donations significantly since 2020, even as demand for services has tripled. Many organisations are facing difficult decisions, including closures and mergers, as funding fails to keep pace with growing needs.

Cooper Parry makes thirteenth deal in two years

Tess Egginton
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Cooper Parry makes thirteenth deal in two years
East Midlands professional services group, Cooper Parry has made its thirteenth deal within the past two years, increasing its footprint in the digital/tech space with the acquisition of consultancy 3RP, an Oracle NetSuite Partner of the Year. The UK and Philippines-based firm fits alongside three other recent acquisitions within Cooper Parry Digital: Cloud Orca (Salesforce), MacroFin (Netsuite) and Front Foot (Data & Market Intelligence).  Elliott Keene, 3RP co-founder and director, said: “Our ethos has always been the same – offer world-class NetSuite implementation services and consultancy. We were instantly attracted by Cooper Parry’s ambitions and their focus on a terrific culture. “Joining Cooper Parry allows the team to continue to grow and thrive in an even larger customer base, and we can now offer our customers an even greater catalogue of services and expertise alongside our MacroFin colleagues and the wider CP firm. We look forward to continuing to cement our reputation as the UK’s go-to partner for NetSuite services.”  Ade Cheatham, CEO, Cooper Parry, said: “Right from the first chats we had with 3RP, we knew the fit would be great – commercially and culturally. On the back of our other recent deals in the digital/tech space, this is another huge milestone for CP. “The talented 3RP team have created an outstanding business. We’re thrilled to welcome them into Cooper Parry as we carry on powering our next gen professional services vision.”

Reward Funding expands Midlands team

Tess Egginton
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Reward Funding expands Midlands team
Reward Funding has strengthened its presence in the Midlands by appointing a new business development director to support its continued growth. Carl Perry brings over 25 years of experience in the financial services sector across the region. He spent the majority of his early career in commercial banking roles before moving into senior lending roles within challenger and alternative finance organisations, where he delivered both asset based lending and structured credit facilities to SMEs. Carl will be focused on expanding Reward’s network of introducers, as well as providing flexible asset-secured funding solutions across the Midlands to help ambitious entrepreneurs and businesses achieve their goals. Carl said: “Joining Steph and her team in the Midlands at this growth stage in Reward’s journey is extremely exciting. I’m looking forward to building on what is already a strong regional presence.” Steph Brown, Reward’s regional director in the Midlands, added: “We’re building a hugely talented team here in the Midlands, and Carl is a fantastic addition. “It is great to welcome someone with his extensive and diverse lending experience, strong professional connections and the ability to really support the entrepreneurs and businesses we work with. “I am looking forward to working with Carl to strengthen and grow our relationships with professional business advisors, brokers and accountants across the Midlands, as we continue to expand our regional presence and lending book.”

Ariel Plastics makes pivotal appointment

Tess Egginton
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Ariel Plastics makes pivotal appointment
Ariel Plastics – the supplier of roofing sheets, rooflights and roofing accessories – has appointed a new sales director as the company targets ambitious growth. The appointment of Jennifer Brookes as its new sales director is pivotal for the business – which was founded in 1961 and bought by Brett Martin in 1994 – as it looks to strengthen existing industry relationships, identify new opportunities, launch new products and champion its credentials as an integral part of a UK manufacturer at the forefront of sustainable practices. Jen, as she is widely known, will draw on her vast experience in the construction, DIY, retail and builders’ merchant sectors to build on the company’s established reputation for distributing roofing, glazing and cladding products. Jen saw the potential of Ariel Plastics and has hit the ground running in strengthening the sales team and working with the business’s owners on exciting expansion plans, which will see significant levels of investment. “Ariel Plastics has been the UK’s leading plastics distributor for a long time – but it is ripe for a transformation that can take it to the next level, and I am thrilled to have joined Ariel at such an important time,” she said. Jen has taken over the reins from Paul Goddard, who has stepped back from the helm after three decades with the business. Paul will still be actively involved in his new role as commercial sales manager, so the Staveley-headquartered company can still draw on his wealth of experience and integral knowledge of the business and the industries it supplies.

East Midlands property consultancy takes on 2,400-mile fundraising relay challenge

Tess Egginton
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East Midlands property consultancy takes on 2,400-mile fundraising relay challenge
A property consultancy is marking its 25th anniversary with an ambitious charity challenge to tour its 25 offices in an epic journey across the country – without any form of motorised transport. Fisher German, which has offices in Ashby and Market Harborough, has announced its ‘Big 25’ charity challenge to raise at least £25,000 between 25 charities across the country, and will see its colleagues run, cycle, dog-walk, and even space-hop their way between its offices as part of a giant 2,400-mile relay. The firm has also pledged to match-fund any donations up to £25,000 from supporters, meaning a total of £50,000 could be split between the charities. The challenge begins on Friday, May 9, with its team journeying from its London office in the City along the Grand Union Canal via methods including cycling, running and walking all the way to its Birmingham office over the course of a week. Future legs include riding on horseback, sailing, together with great walking, swimming, cycling and running endeavours, before the journey ends back in London on Thursday, October 30. Key clients of Fisher German will also be invited to take part in the challenge, alongside the grassroots charities delivering vital work in the communities they are located in. The Big 25 coincides with Fisher German undergoing a major rebrand. Andrew Bridge, managing partner at Fisher German, said: “We became Fisher German in September 2000, following the merger of Fisher Hoggarth and John German. Our roots, however, stretch back to pre-1830. The firm has grown considerably, and we now employ more than 800 people and assist clients all over the country. “That’s why we’ve launched the Big 25 challenge to give back to those charities who do so much in the communities we work in, including Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Acorn Children’s Hospice in Worcester, Simon Community Scotland in Glasgow, Sefton Baby Baskets in Liverpool, Katherine House Hospice in Banbury, and Red Kite Family Centre in Thame. “Our teams have really thrown themselves into this over the last few months in preparation, and we cannot wait to see the first of our colleagues set off from London on a long trip to Birmingham along the canal. “We not only want to raise vital funds for the fantastic range of charities our staff have chosen but use this as a chance to start a new chapter at Fisher German as we look to grow even further over the next 25 years of the company’s life. “We would encourage anyone interested to follow the journey on social media, support our staff on their legs, and donate to the charities involved.” Anyone wishing to donate should visit Fisher German’s GiveWheel link at https://givewheel.com/fundraising/7005/fisher-germans-big-25-challenge/. The money raised will be split equally between the 25 charities.
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