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. The Government has recently announced an extra ?500 million to cover extra cost pressures and to partly compensate councils for reduced income from fees and charges. Further funding is welcome but the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy believes that nationally this still leaves a ?1.2bn gap in council funding.

To date, the Government has only provided Nottingham City Council with around ?19 million in Covid-19 support grants 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 and it is currently not clear how much of the ?500 million will be allocated to Nottingham to cover this. There is also no clarity on which categories will be included in the scheme to compensate councils for lost income. Councils are currently faced with severe financial challenges and having to make tough budgetary decisions. We need to know now exactly what financial support will be available to us.??

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. That is why we are demanding Government keeps their promise.

Small businesses are at the heart of the Nottingham economy and an essential part of our Covid recovery. They create jobs for thousands of local people and attract visitors and investment into the city. Small businesses come in many different forms and we were extremely disappointed that the first round of Government grants excluded many of our local enterprises, especially charities, those in multiple-occupancy premises and online businesses.

We lobbied the Government to rectify this and although pleased that following that the Government launched the discretionary grants fund, giving councils additional flexibility to reach out to these businesses, we were disappointed with the amount. Just over ?3 million had to be spread very thinly and ultimately we don?t feel we were able to support as many businesses as needed it. Our own estimate was that an additional 25% of the previous grant scheme was required, around ?15 million, to fairly and adequately support local businesses.

Recent news shows us that it?s not just small businesses that are struggling. Boots, a major employer in Nottingham, has just announced large jobs cuts. We will continue to lobby the Government, urging them to prevent a 'spiral of decline' in town and city centres across the country, slowing down our Covid recovery, and we?ll be utilising our networks over the coming months to amplify this message.

The closure of the walkway through the Broadmarsh Centre from Lister Gate to Collin Street following the administration of Intu is creating a further pressure for businesses in this area. Following the recent decision to disclaim the lease for the centre to the Council, the reopening of this right-of-way safely and quickly is a top priority.

Sadly the much-loved Splendour Festival has become another event affected by the pandemic, but all is not lost. This year, instead of travelling to Wollaton Park, the festival will beamed into homes across Nottingham and beyond.? A one-off digital festival will go ahead on Saturday 17 July with a wide range of entertainment including archive footage from previous years, exclusive music, comedy, workshops and more. As well as entertaining the city, the event will be raising money for Framework which provides vital services for vulnerable people. Find out more about Splendour in Nottingham

As more local retail and hospitality businesses will be able to reopen or increase their service offering, we are expecting the city centre and neighbourhood retail areas to become increasingly busy. We?ve worked hard with local businesses to ensure they can open safely.?Social distancing measures mean that many of them have had to make changes to how they welcome and serve customers with capacity at many venues being limited. I?m really pleased with how Nottingham has responded to the new normal; abiding to social distancing and treating shop workers and other customers with respect. Keeping up this responsible behaviour will be key to the virus being kept under control locally and avoiding a local lockdown in Nottingham. ?

If you head into the city this weekend please remember:

• Support businesses to operate safely ? every venue may do things a little differently, please look out for the blue signage before entering
• Keep left when walking and, where possible, two metres apart
• Continue with regular handwashing and limit contact with hard surfaces
• Wear a face covering on public transport and public spaces where it?s not possible to keep two metres apart.
• Do not leave home if you or someone you live with has symptoms

For further information on how to stay safe whilst out and about in Nottingham visit Nottingham reopens safely

Full Council will take place this Monday and once again the whole session will be live streamed via the City Council?s YouTube channel, so members of the public will still be able to observe.?Find out more.