I’m encouraged that after three weeks of being at Step Two of the roadmap out of Covid-19, the number of cases remains low in the city. If we keep this up, then it bodes well for the next step on 17 May, when even more of our city’s services and facilities will open – such as indoor events, theatre and concerts. We should know more about this next week. I really want to see Nottingham reach this step – but to do this we have to keep our rate of infection as low as possible. That means, for now, continuing to follow the guidance on ‘hands, face, space’. I know we have all heard this over and over – but it remains our best tactic for beating the virus, along with getting vaccinated when it is our turn. Anyone aged 40 and over is now being offered the vaccine.

Earlier this week I went to the Hindu temple on Carlton Road to join the congregation there in prayer for the people of India. We're hearing terrible stories and it’s really concerning how the challenge has exponentially increased in a short space of time. My thoughts and prayers are with India and the many families in Nottingham who have loved ones there.

Covid has placed more households under financial pressure and unfortunately for some that has seen them facing homelessness. One council service which is there to provide support in these situations has helped over 400 such households find somewhere to live over the past year. The council’s Nottingham Private Rented Assistance Scheme (NPRAS) has worked with individuals, families and landlords to make sure that people can move into safe and affordable homes and landlords have a smooth tenancy. In one case where a mum and children were fleeing domestic abuse – also on the rise during the pandemic – the family were matched to a landlord with suitable accommodation available and arrangements were put in place to make sure that both the family and the landlord had the support they needed. More here Over 400 homeless households helped into private rented housing in Nottingham

There are concerns that domestic violence has increased during lockdown, which makes the passing of the Domestic Abuse Act last week even more timely and welcome. Among a range of new measures that will provide further protections for survivors and help bring perpetrators to justice, new responsibilities have been passed to councils to provide support to survivors and their children in refuges and other safe accommodation.

Aligned with these new responsibilities, the City Council has received £871,000 of Government funding which will be used to improve domestic abuse safe accommodation services. This will help to bolster the arrangements we already have in place to protect survivors, including children who are recognised as survivors in their own right for the first time in the new law. Find out more here New powers and funding to tackle domestic violence welcomed

With restrictions easing we have been able to plan for lots of exciting events in the city – some are brand new and some are old favourites. What is guaranteed is that there is something for everybody to enjoy.

The Open Air Theatre season begins at Wollaton Hall and Newstead Abbey in June and includes performances for all, from Mr Stink - the David Walliams best seller, to classic Shakespeare.

Watch a film out under the stars as Luna Cinema’s giant silver screen graces Wollaton Hall from 26 August. Films include 80s classics Dirty Dancing and Top Gun, the Sing A Long version of the smash-hit The Greatest Showman, and iconic sci-fi blockbuster Star Wars: A New Hope.

Those waiting for major sporting action to return will love The Hundred which fuses world-class, fast-paced cricket with family-friendly entertainment off the pitch, From 24 July, The Hundred will feature eight brand new teams based across the country including the Nottingham, Trent Rockets.

Splendour is back this year with a great line up and we’re very excited to be hosting the only real T-rex skeleton on display in the UK and, across most of Europe... at Wollaton Hall, Titus: T-rex is King opens Sunday 4 July

You can find out more about these events, book tickets, and find many more summer events at www.whatsonnottingham.com