Plus... Next week brings new freedoms ? but with the same precautions | 18th Century monkey bones discovered at Nottingham Castle ...& more



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More people now eligible for vaccinations

**A message from City Council Leader, Cllr David Mellen:**

Cllr David Mellen, leader of Nottingham City Council

I?m pleased to see that more people are now eligible for the Covid-19 vaccination. From this week vaccinations are now open to anyone aged 38 and over. Appointments can be booked online here [ [link removed] ] or by calling 119

Of course, it?s never too late to book your appointment if you are from one of the earlier cohorts to be invited for vaccination. If you know someone who is yet to get theirs please offer your support to help the book if you can do so.?

I welcome the Prime Minister?s announcement this evening; bringing forward second doses to accelerate the rollout but I would also be keen to see an acceleration of the rollout for those under 38 who have not yet had them.

The PM also confirmed that although there are increased number of cases of the so-called Indian variant of Covid around the country, it is not leading to increased hospital admissions and there?s nothing at this stage to suggest we shouldn?t continue onto Step 3 of the roadmap.

We are aware of ?variant of concern? cases in Nottingham and we have been really encouraged by the response and take-up of targeted testing where those cases have emerged. This will help us to monitor and control the spread - but it remains the responsibility of all of us to be cautious and stick to the rules that have helped to drive down the spread of the disease so effectively.


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*Next week brings new freedoms ? but with the same precautions*

Let's go graphic

From Monday, we will all be relieved and excited to be able to resume many activities that have been curtailed or unavailable to us for a year or more. Families and friends will be able to meet indoors, larger groups can meet outdoors and many businesses ? pubs, restaurants, hotels, museums, theatres, music venues, cinemas, sports stadia, shops and many more - will open their doors again after a turbulent year of closures and restrictions.

It?s really important we all carry on following the guidance we have come used to ? hands, face, space, fresh air ? to continue to prevent the spread of Covid. We have seen cases increasing slightly in the city recently and we cannot afford to be complacent and put the hard-fought freedoms or our health at risk.

But Nottingham is ready and raring to give a warm and safe welcome to visitors as these restrictions are lifted. We have been working with key partners including Nottingham BID and Visit Nottinghamshire to prepare for this and launch the Let?s Go Nottingham campaign, to encourage people to return to enjoying more of what the city has to offer and to give local businesses the boost they need. Covid safety arrangements are in place throughout the city, in venues and on public transport. Find out more here [ [link removed] ]

There?s plenty to attract people to the city over the summer ? from the landmark re-opening of Nottingham Castle [ [link removed] ] and the Titus - T Rex is King [ [link removed] ] exhibition at Wollaton Hall, to the welcome return of firm favourites such as Splendour [ [link removed] ], Riverside Festival and exciting sporting fixtures such as at Trent Bridge and Nottingham Tennis Centre [ [link removed] ]. And I?m sure people will be excited to see the changing face of the city that?s continued during lockdown ? another reason to be cheerful about Nottingham?s future post-Covid.


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*18th Century monkey bones discovered at Nottingham Castle*

Miss Kirkby

You may have seen Nottingham Castle hitting the headlines again this week with news about the discovery of bones belonging to three monkeys which were revealed during the ?30million redevelopment of the historic site.

Interestingly, the bones are being tied to a local legend involving the Castle?s most flamboyant former resident called Jane Kirkby who lived at the Castle between 1791 and 1825. Detailed research has revealed that Castle residents could have kept a menagerie in the grounds of the Ducal Palace when it was turned into apartments and records have been found that mention Miss Kirkby throwing lavish parties where she was accompanied by a ?large ape?.

The tale of Miss Kirkby and the monkeys gives a fascinating insight into Nottingham life during this period of time and is just one of the stories from our Castle?s 1000 years of history. I?m really looking forward to seeing all of this being revealed when the Castle opens its doors again on 21st June.

Until then, if you?re interested in finding out more about the exploits of Miss Kirkby, the Castle Trust have an excellent blog about her on their website at www.nottinghamcastle.org.uk [ [link removed] ]


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*Right To Buy reform still needed despite new rules*

Homes in the Meadows

Under the Government?s Right To Buy scheme, tenants in council houses have the option to buy their home at a discount depending on how long they have lived there. New rules have been introduced which affect the way councils can spend the money received from the sale of these houses.

Councils use the money generated from the sale of these houses towards the cost of new or replacement affordable homes but previously councils were only allowed to retain 30 percent of sale value with the Government receiving the rest. In addition, if councils did not spend these receipts within three years these monies too had to be given back to the Government with interest.

Authorities will now have longer to reinvest money from council house sales in new housing and will be given a greater percentage of receipts. This has increased from three years to five, and from 30 per cent to 40 per cent, respectively.

While this is welcome news, we still feel that the whole Right To Buy scheme needs a national rethink. It?s becoming impossible to keep up with the rate of sales in terms of building replacement houses and too many of these properties end up on the private rental market. This drives up prices locally and is unsustainable in a city like Nottingham with such long waiting lists and demand for affordable housing. You can read more here about why we believe the Government needs to halt Right To Buy sales and take another look at the scheme [ [link removed] ]


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Coronavirus FAQs

Please click?here [ [link removed] ]?for some of the answers to questions we?ve been asked about what you should do, and what we are doing, to respond to Coronavirus.

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