We all want to see our city continue to unlock from Covid restrictions. The best way we can achieve this is to make sure we are vaccinated against the virus. Anyone aged 34 and over can now book their vaccination.

We know that there may be valid reasons for people being unsure or hesitant about having the vaccine. If people have declined to be vaccinated before, that doesn?t mean they have missed their opportunity. There is still chance to book an appointment at one of the many sites around the city. The NHS currently has a good stock of the vaccine ? plenty for everyone in our city who is eligible.

Please help us to tackle myths and fake news surrounding the vaccine. The NHS locally has an excellent webpage with lots of facts and frequently asked questions: Covid-19 vaccination FAQs

Let?s all work together to keep each other safe and protected so that we can move forward out of this pandemic.

The announcement that the City Council has secured ?12.53 million from the?Future High Streets Fund?to drastically improve the area around Angel Row and Maid Marian Way is really welcome.

It comes at a time when we are thinking of fresh ways to attract people to the city centre, and this funding will not only enhance the pedestrian environment in this part of the city and strengthen links to cultural destinations such as Nottingham Playhouse, but it will create a new creative hub on the current Central Library site. The historic frontage will be retained and the Angel Row Creative Co-operative will take up the space, redeveloped as a gallery, studios, workshops, offices, hot desks and a digital resource library for the city?s burgeoning creative industry. Find out more here.

The exciting announcement involving the Angel Row site links to our plans for a new Central Library as part of our Broadmarsh car park and bus station complex which is currently taking shape.

Significant developments like this are vital for the future economic health of the city ? and in the meantime they are providing much-needed employment for local residents. In the past twelve months, over 500 jobs have been created across the city?s largest development sites, including the new Broadmarsh car park and bus station, Nottingham College City Hub and Unity Square.

Nottingham Jobs, the city?s one-stop-shop for people looking for work or training, has played a central role in supporting job creation, working with construction companies across the city to recruit suitable candidates for sites which need skilled, local workers. It?s really important that we link cranes in the air with local jobs on the ground in this way. Find out more here

I know that our beautiful parks in Nottingham have been a lifeline for so many through repeated lockdowns. Recently, we made videos of some of our most popular parks, including Wollaton Park, Highfields Park and Colwick Country Park, in spring, to share our parks with elderly residents in a care home who weren't able to get out for themselves.

Residents at the Oaks Residential Home in St Ann?s enjoyed a virtual tour of Nottingham parks by watching the videos, and shared their memories of visiting parks as children and with their families, and enjoyed seeing and hearing the sights of spring in a touching video. You can watch their reactions here.

All these videos are available to watch online and I encourage you to share them with anyone who can?t get out: Explore the playlist of our parks in spring films