Lost income and increased expenditure as a result of COVID-19 is presenting enormous challenges financially with the crisis currently costing the Council an estimated ?86 million.

To date, the Government has only provided around ?19 million in Covid-19 support grant despite promises ?to stand shoulder to shoulder? with councils to support them through the pandemic crisis. This means that in Nottingham we are facing a shortfall of ?65 million.

The impact of Covid-19 comes on top of a substantial and sustained reduction in Government funding over the past 10 years because of austerity policies. Without Government support and funding this will ultimately mean job losses, increased charges and reduction in services at a crucial time. It would be an utter betrayal of Nottingham?s key workers and communities, if after all their immense efforts the services they deliver are not properly funded by Government and that is why we are demanding Government keeps their promise.

News that intu is entering administration is a major concern for cities like ours where the company has shopping centres and a cause of great anxiety for the employees and retailers directly affected.

For years we have been trying to bring improvements to the Broadmarsh shopping centre and intu?s plans to transform it into a modern destination for a major 21^st century city like Nottingham were widely welcomed. People will feel let down that intu has not been able to continue this project and we are now working to find a solution going forward.

The wider regeneration in and around this part of the city centre is continuing though, including the transformation of Nottingham Castle, the new Nottingham College City Hub, a new Central Library, car park and bus station, major public realm improvements and the Island Quarter development.

I know how? important fun, family friendly and affordable events are to people in our city but after careful consideration the decision has been taken to cancel both the Nottingham Beach and Riverside Festival for this year due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Though there have been changes to lockdown rules and many leisure facilities are beginning to re-open the two events would simply be too large to keep within the updated rules and guidance.

Public safety is our number one priority and while we have been working with partners such as the Mellors Group to try and find alternative ways of hosting these events there is simply no way to guarantee safety.

The intention remains to bring back these two highlights in Nottingham?s event calendar in 2021.