I was really pleased last week to attend the launch of the improved Red Line 50 bus service, including the introduction of a new electric vehicle.

In recent years, the industrial area along Daleside Road between Lady Bay Retail Park and Colwick Park has seen major redevelopment, with a large amount of residential properties already built, and more under construction ? so demand for buses in this area has risen and will continue to do so. By running later into the evening and offering a seven days a week with a new Sunday service from 3 December, we will be able to better service this growing area. Government funding has also supported Nottingham City Transport to purchase 48 new Yutong electric single-deck buses which should be in service early in 2024 and will help improve our air quality and tackle climate change.

More here

Yesterday (Monday) saw children and young people join councillors and representatives from organisations across the city to celebrate the next step of the city?s journey towards becoming a UNICEF Child Friendly City.

A local partnership led by Nottingham City Council, One Nottingham and Small Steps Big Changes (SSBC) will see children?s rights put into practice in the city over the next three-to-five-years as part of the UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) Child Friendly Cities and Communities programme.

Yesterday morning saw a number of schools across the city using the theme of Children?s Rights in their assemblies.? Partners also organised activities in schools around Article 31 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child which states that every child has the right to relax, play and take part in a wide range of cultural and artistic activities.

Partners, children, young people and councillors took part in activities at the Council House which explored how a children?s rights approach will be put into practice in the city.

You can read more at www.childfriendlynottingham.org.uk

SSBC is supporting the initial administration and set-up costs of Nottingham Child Friendly City, with financial support from the National Lottery Community Fund?s ?A Better Start? programme.

This has provided a great opportunity to build on work already started with some of our youngest children our most diverse communities.

All the city organisations are encouraged to make a child rights-based approach part of their plans and delivery of their services. By taking a strategic view, organisations can include how to be Child Friendly in their normal budgeting and planning.

We are excited for you to see inside the new Central Library when we open the doors next Tuesday.

You are invited to join us from 9.30am on Tuesday 28 November to celebrate the opening, with bookable guided tours for the public, as well as an audio trail with QR codes, linking to voice clips and interviews on stories from the local area spanning several decades.?

There is so much happening at the library currently as we get ready for opening. This includes user testing and school visits.? Just today (Tuesday) we had the pleasure of hosting key partners from across the city at a sneak peek event. We showcased all the new library has to offer for businesses and highlighted the work we are doing to transform the surrounding Broad Marsh area, including a new family-friendly play area on Collin Street.

The library will be a real asset and a central hub of activity for the city, which includes hosting events like the monthly?music and performance shows. We have announced our first show on Friday 1 December with a performance from Bafta award-winning TV writer and poet Henry Normal, a DJ set from Bradley Jam from Jam Cafe and then seven-piece band Salmagundi will close.

Your ticket includes a free drink and you can book for your tickets here.