About the Council

Nottingham City Council is a democratic body, where 55 dedicated Councillors represent the diverse communities across 20 electoral wards in the City of Nottingham. Every four years, we hold local elections, with all 55 seats being contested, ensuring that the people’s voice is heard and represented.

Political Make-Up

Our 55 councillors represent the following parties:

42 Labour Group Councillors
6 Nottingham People's Alliance Councillors
3 Nottingham Independent Group Councillors
3 Independent Councillors
1 Green Party Councillor

The Labour Group holds the majority and currently governs the Council.

Our vision

A city of safety, cleanliness, ambition, and pride

At the heart of Nottingham lies our vision for the future, a city where safety, sustainability, and creativity converge. We aim to create a city where residents feel secure, businesses flourish, and the community is both welcoming and ambitious. Nottingham is a city that celebrates its rich culture and history while embracing a sustainable and prosperous future.

We envision Nottingham as:

A safe city: Where everyone feels secure, whether living, working, studying, or visiting.
A clean city: Where pride in our environment is shared by all, ensuring our streets, parks, and public spaces reflect our commitment to cleanliness.
A diverse, creative, and vibrant city: A cultural hub, rich in diversity, where creativity and multiculturalism thrive in harmony.
A city of opportunity: A place where there is something for everyone, from vibrant activities for all ages to opportunities for businesses to grow and for individuals to achieve their full potential.
A healthy city: Where we prioritize well-being, encouraging healthy choices and supporting a thriving population.
A carbon-neutral city: Committed to a greener future with a goal of becoming carbon-neutral by 2028.
A caring city: Where all residents are valued, particularly our elderly, who receive the care and dignity they deserve.
An inclusive city: A place where all people, regardless of background, respect one another and are treated with fairness and dignity.
A sustainable city: Socially, economically, and environmentally, ensuring our future is built on a foundation of long-term stability and growth.

In Nottingham, we’re not just dreaming about a brighter future, we’re building it, step by step, for everyone.

Progress from Commissioner-led intervention to Ministerial Envoys

Commissioners were appointed in 2024 in response to the wider challenges the Council was already facing. In recent years, several councils subject to Commissioner-led intervention have needed their improvement periods to be extended; by contrast, Nottingham’s Commissioner appointment has ended as planned, reflecting the strong improvements made in governance, financial management and leadership stability under the Council’s leadership, with Commissioners’ oversight. Although the Commissioners have left, we still have a significant amount of improvement work ahead of us. A step down from Commissioner-led intervention is not the end of our journey - it is a sign of progress and the beginning of a phase where our focus now must be on delivering continuous improvement for Nottingham and our residents.

To build on the progress we have made and support our continued improvement, the Secretary of State was minded to appoint of two Ministerial Envoys for up to 18 months, reviewed after 12. Envoys won’t have the statutory powers to direct the Council in the way the Commissioners do. Instead, their role is to provide support, challenge and expert advice as we continue strengthening how we lead, design and deliver services and meet our Best Value Duty. This step-down milestone puts us in a far stronger position as a Council and stands us in good stead to navigate Local Government Reorganisation together - confident, capable and more resilient.

Please note we are currently agreeing our next stage of organisational improvements as part of the Envoy led intervention.

Thank you for your interest in senior leadership roles at Nottingham City Council.

A senior leadership role at Nottingham City Council offers a career that’s both fulfilling and exciting. We’re a forward-thinking organisation that puts people at the heart of everything we do - delivering exceptional services for our community and making a tangible difference. We believe in nurturing talent and providing our colleagues with an attractive benefits package and plenty of opportunities for career growth.

In the wake of the pandemic, we’ve embraced innovative ways of working. We value senior leadership visibility and recognise that work-life balance is crucial. With hybrid and flexible working options, we empower our leaders to blend professional success with personal well-being - because we know that happy, balanced leaders are the best kind.

And while we work hard to achieve great things, we don’t forget to have a little fun along the way. We’re proud of our supportive and inclusive culture, where creativity, collaboration, and a sense of humour are encouraged.

Below, you’ll find the key behaviours we look for in our workforce. These qualities will guide the selection process as we continue to build a culture of excellence, creativity, and teamwork.

We offer a variety of development opportunities for senior leaders and managers, including our Leading and Managing Together Programme and the Nottingham Leadership Transformation Programme. These initiatives are designed to help you grow, thrive, and lead with confidence as we build a strong, dynamic leadership team.

As an inclusive employer, we are deeply committed to fostering a diverse workforce that mirrors the vibrant communities we serve. Through our Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy, we actively encourage applications from underrepresented groups in all of our recruitment efforts. We believe that diverse perspectives strengthen our organisation and help us create a more innovative, effective service for our residents.

Employee benefits at Nottingham City Council

At Nottingham City Council, we are committed to offering a comprehensive benefits package that supports the well-being and development of our employees. Here’s an overview of the benefits you can enjoy as part of our team:

Competitive pay
We offer salaries aligned with regional and national averages, with transparent pay structures and clear progression paths. Senior leaders are moved to the second point of their pay grade after two years with the Council. We are continuously reviewing and enhancing our pay package to ensure it remains competitive.
Local Government Pension Scheme
Our pension scheme offers up to 18% employer contributions, providing security for your future. It also includes life assurance, ensuring peace of mind for both you and your family.
Generous annual leave
New starters receive 25 days of annual leave, which increases to 32 days after 5 years of service. If you have previous local government experience, your leave entitlement may reflect this.
Hybrid, flexible, and smart working
We embrace modern working arrangements, offering hybrid working to maintain flexibility while ensuring senior leadership visibility. We encourage flexible schedules, promoting a healthy work-life balance and role modelling positive working behaviours.

Works Perks Scheme

Our award-winning Works Perks scheme offers a range of exciting benefits to enhance your work experience:

MoreTime: The option to buy additional leave, providing greater flexibility.
Cycle Plus: A green initiative to support cycling as a sustainable travel option.
Childcare Voucher Scheme: Helping working parents with childcare costs.
Discounted Travel Schemes: Making your commute more affordable.
Resilience and Wellbeing Support: Access to a range of services, including physio clinics, counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and more, to support your mental and physical health.
Employee Discounts: Enjoy a variety of offers and discounts with popular retailers and service providers.