The announcement by the Government yesterday that we will move to the next step on the roadmap out of lockdown from 12 April is welcome. Step 2 will see the reopening of all shops, outdoor hospitality such as pubs, and also many other services like libraries, community centres and leisure centres.

It is an important step forward and is due to the lower rate of Covid-19 in our city and country. However, it is crucial that we do not yet mix with people from other households indoors. This remains as important at Step 2 as it was at Step 1. If we want to progress along the roadmap, we have to take each step slowly and make sure that we are keeping each other safe by having regular testing when needed and coming forward for a vaccination when it is your turn.

It is also vital that we do not lose sight of the key guidelines of ?Hands, Face, Space? to ensure that we protect ourselves and others. Like many, I cannot wait to see the end of these restrictions and return to normal ? but, for now, we must continue to do all we can to stop the spread of this virus.

Click here to see the full guidance of Step 2 of the roadmap.

The lockdowns have led to a surge of people adopting gardening as a hobby, which has been one benefit of this horrid time. To keep on top of our garden waste, many of us have started composting, which is the most environmentally sound way of disposing of garden and vegetable waste. However most of us will not have the space to compost all of our garden waste and many households look forward to the restart of the garden waste collection service every April. To support the upsurge in gardening this year we have launched an annual subscription service for any local residents who would like a second garden waste bin.

This means that subscribers can present two or more garden waste bins at the kerbside on the days their garden waste is normally collected. The cost for this additional service is ?25 for year, one-off additional bin charges will apply if you do not already have an extra garden waste bin.

Sign up for the additional garden waste collections Find out more about composting

I had the pleasure of presenting awards to the winners of the Nottingham City Homes Best Garden Competition recently. The awards are held each year and celebrate the work that council house tenants or leaseholders have done to create beautiful gardens or communal spaces. There were nine awards, including Best Transformation, Young Gardener of the Year, Best Floral Display and Best Communal Green Space among others.

While we weren?t able to celebrate the finalists and winners in our usual way due to Covid-19 restrictions, a special online ?congratulations ceremony? was held to properly recognise the many wonderful green-fingered gardeners living in council owned properties.

There were winners from Bulwell, Highbury Vale, Bilborough, Bestwood Park, Lenton Abbey, Aspley and Clifton. Many of these worthy winners have created spaces where nature can thrive and they are helping to make neighbourhoods greener and contributing to us being a Bee Friendly City. All of the finalists and winners should be proud of their achievements.

Find out more: Best garden competition finalists

There?s some exciting new developments underway in Nottingham at the moment ? but there?s also been some fantastic work to preserve, restore and renew some of the wonderful old buildings in our city. There?s work on the magnificent City Buildings on Carrington Street and on a stretch of shops on Wheeler Gate which is giving the buildings a new lease of life.

This sort of effort is going on around the city which it?s pleasing to report has led to almost half of the buildings on the local ?at risk? list being repaired and brought back into use. Some of these buildings have been brought into better condition by their private owners, but many others have been secured by Nottingham City Council through negotiation, enforcement action or grant-aid. Nottingham?s award-winning Heritage Strategy has been the catalyst for many buildings at risk in the city being targeted for action. It?s wonderful to see these lovely old buildings preserved for the future, and a great effort by everyone involved. More information here

Nottingham libraries have recently launched their Discover & Get Involved directory. This new online portal has lots of activities and events to keep families entertained during the Easter holidays and beyond. From crafts and storytelling to book recommendations and interviews, there?s something for everyone. Find out more Discover & Get Involved

Wollaton Hall & Deer Park and Newstead Abbey & Gardens have a range of outdoor trails & activities. At Newstead, there is an animal magic trail and adventure trail, while at Wollaton Park there is a ladybird hunt, adventure trail & superhero fun trail. For more info and to plan your visits, check out Wollaton hall - activities and Newstead Abbey - activities.