The Council
Ashfield is a really great place, located in the heart of the East Midlands and close to major transport connections including the M1.
We have big plans for the future, with a focus on delivering exceptional local services for our residents and businesses.
With a strong focus on driving economic growth, we have recently been successful in attracting £100 million in project funding to our area. So, in addition to our core day-to-day services, we are currently delivering more than 20 key projects with external funding.
These include:
- Kirkby Leisure Centre and a second swimming pool for Hucknall Leisure centre
- Shop Watch and town centre CCTV schemes
- Green Energy projects
- Ashfield 24/7 residents portal
- Vulnerable Adult Support Scheme
- Safer Streets Programme
- Automated Distribution and Manufacturing Centre
- New housing developments
- Maker Space; office and education space for creators
- Moor Market - indoor market
- Sherwood Observatory and Planetarium
- Low-carbon construction centre
- Leisure facilities at Kings Mill Reservoir
Our journey
The council is on a positive journey and over the past 5 years we have successfully improved performance year-on-year. To date and going forward we are achieving budget sustainability by cutting costs, becoming more efficient and by increasing income. Our approach has included:
- undertaking service reviews
- digital transformation
- creating income streams
- making our management structure leaner
- achieving better value for money, through procurement.
Cumulatively the result is a more modern and less expensive organisation that has mitigated potentially adverse impacts on front line services.
Our services and approach
Ashfield is a district made up of 4 distinct community areas each with their own character, and specific service and support needs. This is reflected in how we deliver our services and our office location.
The Council is a team and is committed to making a big difference for the people we serve. But improving the quality of life of Ashfield residents remains a significant challenge - and not one that can be met by the council on its own. We recognise the need for joined-up thinking across the council, and also work closely and collaborating with other agencies to achieve our objectives.
In particular, we work with the police and Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), who are co-located with us at our Urban Road office. We also work in partnership with Nottinghamshire County Council and NHS colleagues on a range of cross-cutting issues.
Looking to the future the Council has adopted a more enterprising and commercial approach to support additional income generation from a range of sources. We wants to work more closely with public, private and community groups to secure improvements for our residents.
There is a good working relationship between officers and Members, with a Leader and Cabinet model. Executive post holders work effectively across the Council to deliver key priorities.
Regular events
We hold regular events throughout the district, for our residents and visitors to enjoy:
- Ashfield day - 12,000 attendees in 2022
- Discover Ashfield awards
- Food and Drink Festivals
- Christmas lights switch on
- Light Night
- Outdoor cinema in the park
Accreditations
- White Ribbon Accrediation - Commitment to end violence against women and girls
- Green Flag - 6 of our parks have received a Green Flag award
- Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award - Employer recognition scheme.
Discover Ashfield and the Towns Fund
The Discover Ashfield Board has helped build an enthusiastic coalition of partners seeking to showcase our assets, ensuring we focus on the positive opportunities open to us. We have been successful in bidding for £62 million from the Towns Fund. The Discover Ashfield Board will play a key role in the development and implementation of the key projects that will be delivered from this funding.