Bookings for Covid-19 vaccinations are now being taken for people aged over 65. I?m pleased to say that I have my own appointment booked on Friday. While I welcome the programme rolling out to more people who will be better protected from this virus as a result of the vaccine, it is still vital that we ensure people from the older age groups get their jab. This is especially true of the over-80s in the city, where a number of people have yet to come forward. The City Council is supporting the NHS by reaching out to people we know have been approached but have not yet been vaccinated. We all have a role to play in this. The vaccine remains our one path out of the pandemic. If you know someone who may be eligible, please help them to book their vaccination ? especially if their first language is not English. Let?s do all we can to keep Nottingham safe, and together we can play our part in beginning to get our lives back to normal. More information about the vaccine and booking links can be found on the local NHS website here.

Stopping the spread of the virus is a multi-agency effort. If you?d like to hear about the hard work taking place across the city to keep us safe, you can watch this week?s Outbreak Board which I chair.

Many of you may be taking on a vital role of supporting elderly or vulnerable family or friends during this time, helping out with hot meals, delivering shopping or medicines, or helping as part of a childcare bubble.

If you are worried about passing on the virus while carrying out these essential activities, you can take a regular Covid-19 test at Djanolgy Leisure Centre, on Gregory Boulevard, to check you are not carrying the virus, even if you don?t have any symptoms.

The tests are free and results are usually sent within the hour. The testing site is open from Monday-Friday from 9.30am until 6.30pm, Saturday from 9.30am-2.30pm (closed Sunday). There is no need to book ? you can just drop in. You can find more information here: www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/asymptomatictesting

I was absolutely delighted that the City Council?s energy services team won the Green Recovery Initiative of the Year at the prestigious Edie Awards. Not just because the team deserves recognition for its excellent work to address fuel poverty and increase the use of green energy during the Covid crisis, but also because their efforts have directly benefit local residents who might otherwise have had to choose between food and an adequately heated home.

The action which won the award involved over 10,000 interactions with customers through the first six months of the pandemic, saving an average of ?1,176 per household. This included providing a card with pre-loaded credit to heat network customers identified as self-isolating to ensure they didn?t get cut off. The Warm Homes Hub was also launched, which is on track to install greener central heating systems to 100 properties, and will provide a package of support to 1,000 vulnerable households.

For more information about the council?s Fuel Poverty Strategy and Action Plan as well as examples of interventions, visit: https://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/warmhomes

We?re really proud of our two new bin lorries ? the first fully electric models off the production line in the world. Since taking to Nottingham?s streets, they?ve begun contributing towards estimated annual costs savings of ?32,000 and carbon dioxide emission reductions of 52 tonnes ? the equivalent of 2,000 trees. Now, for a bit of fun, we?re asking the public to help us name them. If you?d like to add your choice to the mix, you can vote for your favourite here

With Nottingham residents set to go to the polls in May for the Police and Crime Commissioner election, plans are being made to help you stay safe while casting your vote.

You can also get prepared for voting day. If you aren?t already registered to vote you can apply online. I normally go to the polling station to cast my vote but this year, but like so many other things, I?ll be doing it differently and making a postal vote. Find out more about the upcoming election and the different ways you can cast your vote here Police and crime commissioner election 2021