Nottingham generating £20m a year from commercial activities

Having seen government funding fall to £35 million for the next financial year, Nottingham City Council is generating £20 million a year from commercial activities.

The council has placed itself at the forefront of generating income to offset government funding cuts, with dozens of commercial operations underway to reduce costs or raise money. This includes installing solar panels on buildings and car parks, opening nine cafes, collecting business waste on behalf of Derby City Council and owning Nottingham City Transport.

Graham Chapman, deputy leader, said: “The government has carried out savage cuts to council funding over the last seven years, putting enormous pressure on our ability to continue to fund and provide vital local services. As well as carrying out £232 million of savings over the last seven years, we have been ahead of the game when it comes to finding new ways to bring money into the council to balance our budgets. Our commercial operations are now providing a regular £20 million a year income which offsets some of the government cuts and allows us to continue to provide services for local people.”