I?m delighted to hear that thousands of people took part in the Big Vax-the-Nation Weekend for vaccinations in Nottingham. People were able to walk into any vaccination centre in the city, without an appointment, to get their Covid-19 jab during the extended opening hours from Friday to today. This is welcome news ? and we must build on this and ensure that more people take up the offer of a vaccine to protect themselves from this virus.

Anyone over the age of 18 can now turn up to grab a jab without booking ? this could be for a first jab? or for a second jab if you had your first jab more than 56 days ago. Opening times vary at different centres, so it?s worth checking here before you go: Where to go for your Covid-19 vaccination appointment.

This is so important. We are seeing an increase in cases of Covid-19 in our city ? matching the rising trend nationally. Getting your vaccine protects you from getting very ill with the virus and protects everyone around you, as it helps to break the chain of transmission ? this is about working together.

Councillors joined public health colleagues over the weekend to help get the message out about the Big Vax-the-Nation Weekend. They visited streets near the Forest Vaccination Centre to let people know that they could just turn up, no appointment necessary and get their vaccination.??

It?s great to see that one of Nottingham?s biggest council housing developments has taken another big step this week, as Nottingham City Homes (NCH) appoints a construction delivery partner.

Up to 130 council homes, including two and three?bedroom houses, bungalows and flats are being built in Bestwood. These types of homes are in high demand from families in the area and once built, these homes will be managed of behalf of the council by NCH. They?will be let?to households on the city?s council?house waiting list?at affordable rents.?Nottingham needs a mix of all?different types of housing,?from homes?for?families, flats?for?couples and single people, to bungalows and it is a great step forward that works will start on site later this year.

Working with Nottingham City Homes and partners, we've been transforming unused sites like the one in Bestwood into new council homes for affordable rent for those people most in need. However, around 50% of the site will be kept and improved for publically accessible green open space.

More information: Over 100 new council homes move a step closer for Nottingham site

The City Council has set the target of Nottingham becoming the first carbon neutral city in the UK in 2028, already implementing a wide range of measures and improvements which are drastically reducing carbon emissions in the city. Many are focused on transport as one of the key sources of emissions, but the environmental standards of buildings also play a big part in addressing the issue. There is more and more demand for sustainable development and a desire by the City Council to encourage it.

However, planning authorities like Nottingham City Council with ambitious carbon reduction targets need more Government support to drive up sustainability standards in new developments. Outdated Government legislation and case law means that councils cannot insist on more than basic standards and local objections can be over ruled by Central Government and often are.

To achieve more than basic standards planning authorities have to rely on the goodwill of the developer and this is not always forthcoming. We need the Government to set out a national programme to improve environmental standards in housing and robust regulation. You can hear more on this issue from the vice chair of Nottingham?s Planning Committee, Cllr Graham Chapman: Government support needed to drive up green measures in new developments

EU citizens living and working in the UK have until this Wednesday, 30 June to apply for the Governments EU Settlement Scheme. Since the UK left the EU on 31 December 2020, the previous regulations allowing for the freedom of movement no longer apply.

I am aware of how difficult the EU Settlement Scheme has been for many which is why Nottingham City Council alongside other major cities wrote to the Government highlighting increasing concerns about the impact of this deadline and resulting fall out on the most marginalised and vulnerable EU citizens in our areas.

Over recent decades many EU citizens have made Nottingham their home, their contribution to our city is greatly appreciated and they are welcome in our city. If you are an EU/EEA (European Economic Area) or Swiss citizen who was living in the UK by 31 December 2020, you must apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue to live and work in the UK, and to access healthcare, education, housing and social security benefits. Children of EU citizen?s also need to be registered.

You can apply here: EU Settlement Scheme (settled and pre-settled status)