Nottinghamshire

Amy Harhoff, the new chief executive of the East Midlands Combined County Authority. Image from the East Midlands Combined County Authority.

£1m East Midlands payroll and HR contract

Moving payroll and HR services from one council to an authority covering Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire is to cost more than £1 million. Amy Harhoff, chief executive of the East Midlands Combined County Authority, has signed off on a decision to spend £1.2 million on HR and payroll technology for the organisation. To date, Nottinghamshire County Council has been carrying out these duties for the umbrella authority but this is now set to change. This decision comes as all 19 Nottinghamshire […]

24 August 2026 22

Richard Blackmore from The East Midlands Chamber

Derbyshire

Business rates review for pubs and hotels a step forward but wider root and branch review needed

The East Midlands Chamber has welcomed a Government review into pub and hotel business rates valuations but renewed its call for a full root and branch review, to include manufacturing and smaller businesses, as well as the full hospitality sector. The Treasury's independent review and Call for Evidence into the valuation methodology for pubs and hotels follows an announcement in July of an additional 20% cut to business rates for pubs, social clubs and live music venues, taking effect from […]

24 August 2026 12

Borough Wide

East Midlands to receive funding to help tackle homelessness and rough sleeping

People facing homelessness and rough sleeping across the East Midlands are set to benefit from a share of new Government funding aimed at preventing homelessness, helping people off the streets and providing long-term support to rebuild their lives. The Government has today announced a £442 million package to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping across England As part of this investment, local authorities across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire will receive a collective funding pot of £3.6million to support local services, while East […]

19 August 2026 24

Scott Knowles (Credit: East Midlands Chamber)

Derbyshire

Highest inflation in four months means Budget must tackle squeeze on business

The upcoming Autumn Budget must be more supportive of business to mitigate pressure on firms, East Midlands Chamber has said, after latest data showed inflation has risen sharply to 2.9% - the highest level in four months. The latest estimated inflation figure from the Office for National Statistics covers the 12 months to July 2026, up from 2.6% in June. East Midlands Chamber Chief Executive Scott Knowles said: “Inflation going the wrong direction – rising again and moving further away […]

19 August 2026 19

Derbyshire

5.1% East Midlands unemployment too high despite falling trend says Chamber

The East Midlands Chamber has cautiously welcomed a slight drop in the region’s unemployment to 5.1% but said skills investment is needed to get more suitable candidates into roles. The estimated figure from the Office for National Statistics, for over 16s in the East Midlands, covers April to June 2026 and reflects a gradual downward trend, with minor fluctuation across 2026 but unemployment in the region remains higher than a year ago. In the same period in 2025 - April […]

18 August 2026 19

Borough Wide

Regional Mayor opens £10k fund for grassroots sports organisations (Deadline: 23rd August 2026)

Grassroots organisations across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire are being encouraged to apply for a share of £10,000 following on from Mayor Claire's Summer of Sport. The Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, has launched the Community Activity Challenge Fund, offering grants of between £250 and £2,000 to local groups to deliver free sport and activity opportunities between 1st September and 30th November 2026. The fund is designed to increase participation in sport and physical activity by supporting organisations to deliver […]

17 August 2026 51

Derby

Slowdown in economic growth underlines the need for the Autumn Budget to support business

After UK economic growth slowed to 0.4% in the three months to June, from 0.6% in the first three months of the year, East Midlands Chamber is urging the Chancellor to ensure business growth is 'front and centre’ in the upcoming Autumn Budget. The latest estimated GDP figure is from the Office for National Statistics and covers April to June 2026. East Midlands Chamber Director of Resources Lucy Robinson said: “While some reassurance can be taken that GDP held up […]

13 August 2026 17

Derbyshire

Bus franchising plans

Seizing bus services from private providers into public ownership remains firmly on the table, says the East Midlands Mayor, with trailblazer Andy Burnham now Prime Minister. Bus franchising is the process through which services are seized from private providers and placed back into public ownership – then rendered to be run by those firms under one banner with ticketing and prices decided centrally. This process was pioneered in Greater Manchester by the city region’s former Mayor and now Prime Minister, […]

13 August 2026 27

Derby

EMCCA welcomes extra powers after government grants new status

The East Midlands Combined County Authority has welcomed additional powers after the Government granted it new status. As an Established Mayoral Strategic Authority (EMSA), EMCCA now has the right to request new powers and responsibilities. It also unlocks the ability for EMCCA to apply for a more flexible, integrated funding settlement – meaning greater local control over funding and decisions, rather than managing multiple separate funding streams. Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, the figurehead of EMCCA, said: “This is a major milestone […]

11 August 2026 19

£1m East Midlands payroll and HR contract

Business rates review for pubs and hotels a step forward but wider root and branch review needed

East Midlands to receive funding to help tackle homelessness and rough sleeping

Highest inflation in four months means Budget must tackle squeeze on business

5.1% East Midlands unemployment too high despite falling trend says Chamber

Regional Mayor opens £10k fund for grassroots sports organisations (Deadline: 23rd August 2026)

Slowdown in economic growth underlines the need for the Autumn Budget to support business

Bus franchising plans

EMCCA welcomes extra powers after government grants new status

103.5 & 96.8 FM

LOVE MUSIC

LOVE EREWASH