Our lives continue to be dominated by coronavirus, as we enter our second week in national lockdown. Some businesses are temporarily closed, some council services have had to close or operate differently and our movement beyond our household is limited. Case numbers in Nottingham were falling even under Tier Three restrictions, thanks to people?s efforts and sacrifices. However, we must not let our guard down, because Covid patients being admitted to our local hospitals are on the increase and so it?s incumbent on all of us to protect the NHS from becoming overwhelmed, by following the national lockdown rules. By doing so we minimise the likelihood of those most susceptible to Covid, including the elderly and medically vulnerable, from catching it. In the case of those who are clinically extremely vulnerable, there is help and support available locally and nationally. There is also plenty of help, advice, tips and support for anyone whose mental wellbeing is suffering during lockdown, at NHS - Every Mind Matters

Remembrance Sunday is usually a time where many people like to gather together to remember those who sacrificed their lives in conflict and to pay their respects to them. However when people are kept apart as we are now, the impact of the virus on our ability to feel part of a community becomes very apparent. I was really pleased that Notts TV live-streamed the Remembrance Sunday service from Saint Mary?s church in the Lace Market. I found this to be a very moving service and I hope those who watched found some solace in it. The service is still available to watch online Notts TV ? Remembrance Sunday

The War memorial at the Victoria Embankment was covered in a projection of cascading poppies and I?d like to thank everyone who walked past the memorial that evening for abiding by the coronavirus restrictions and paying their respects in a safe and socially distanced way.?

Child poverty is a serious issue in Nottingham and COVID has highlighted many of the inequalities that exist between children in our city. This is why it was important at Full Council today to reaffirm our commitment to tackling child poverty and ensuring Nottingham is a city where all children have the best start in life and can achieve their full potential.

There are currently 42,000 children in Nottingham living in families where no adults work or where household income is low. The Child Poverty Action Group estimates that nationally two out of five families have fallen into financial hardship since the start of the pandemic.

The council has already done lots of work to reduce child poverty in Nottingham; from our commitments to increase the number of children attending good or outstanding schools, to the work of Small Steps Big Changes and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. There is also a well-established network of social eating projects, food banks and meal provision for those in our city who need it. I know there is more to do and today we passed a motion at full council that will help continue and expand this work.

The Government?s U-turn on holiday hunger this weekend was very welcome. I am pleased that the Government has reversed their original position and has now committed to providing an equivalent for free school meals to help struggling families over the school holidays. An immense credit is owed to Marcus Rashford?s campaign on the issue and I would like to also say thank you to all three city MPs who lobbied for this in Parliament.