We?re now three days into life without Covid-19 restrictions ? and I?m pleased to see that many people are continuing to wear face coverings in busy indoor places and on public transport. I will continue to wear my own mask while Covid rates continue to rise in our city and while we still have people who are unvaccinated. Please help to stop the spread of the virus ? continue to think about your surroundings and what action you could be taking to protect yourself and protect others from Covid-19. We?ve heard it a lot over the last year, but ?Hands/Face/Space? still applies in our daily lives.

I would also urge people to get vaccinated as soon as possible. We?re hearing that more young people are now being admitted to hospital seriously ill with Covid ? as well as many people who have yet to have their jab. Without the vaccine, you are putting yourself at risk. The Forest Recreation Ground has a vaccination centre which is now open daily from 9am to 9pm with free parking and a tram stop. It only takes a matter of minutes. You can pop in without an appointment. It couldn?t be easier. Let?s do all we can to keep each other safe.

I was proud to take a motion to Full Council this week urging the Government to support the Climate and Ecological Emergency (CEE) Bill. We?re making a lot of progress locally to achieve our ambition to make Nottingham carbon neutral by 2028 and this bill will support our efforts. If the CEE Bill is made law, the government would have to act fast, accounting for our entire carbon footprint while actively conserving nature here and overseas.

Over the last week we have seen examples?of extreme weather caused by climate change and in Nottingham we could find ourselves affected if internationally we do not join together to reduce emissions and stop the destruction of natural habitats. My motion set out six key commitments to help tackle climate change locally:

• Introducing a Planning Department Sustainability Checklist and working towards a Carbon Neutral Supplementary Planning Document by 2023
• Bidding for funding for energy efficiency and renewable energy installations of Nottingham homes, reducing fuel poverty and carbon emissions
• Supporting Nottingham businesses and local organisations to make a switch to sustainable transport options
• Continuing to lobby the Nottinghamshire Local Government Pension Scheme to divest from fossil fuels
• Pressing ahead with our ?bee friendly? projects across Nottingham
• Working with partners to improve flood defences and enhance the environment.

Find out more: www.ceebill.uk

The Government?s Decarbonising Transport plan was published last week, setting out the national approach to achieving carbon neutrality ? net zero - in the UK by 2050.

Our goal in Nottingham is significantly more ambitious, to become the country?s first carbon neutral city by 2028. We already have a track record of innovative work that puts us in a strong position to achieve this ? including electric trams powered by renewable energy, and the world?s largest fleet of biogas double deck buses.

In line with our CN28 ambition, we?ll be focusing on low carbon measures in our next Local Transport Plan, which sets out our long term transport priorities. These include continued improvements to make walking and cycling more attractive, promoting public transport as an alternative to private car use, as well as converting our fleet, and supporting local businesses to make the switch too.

One area we have less control over is rail, so I welcome the commitment in the Government?s plan to delivering electrification across the rail network, and recognition of the benefits of doing so. We have long been campaigning for electrification of the Midland Mainline, which would reduce the number of high polluting diesel trains running through our city and idling in Nottingham Station.

Yesterday we agreed at Executive Board to submit a bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund to developing the Victoria Embankment Memorial Gardens. They are lovely gardens, now including a new World War One memorial attracting more people but they are in need of restoration work.

The proposed works would restore the original war memorial, Queen Victoria statue, ponds and caf?, along with other upgrades and improvements, including new toilet facilities. Our team has a great track record of delivering successful projects like this and the response to the works already undertaken on the Embankment has been wonderful. More information here.

Another part of the Embankment which needs attention is the paddling pool which sadly has come to the end of its life ? a shame especially when the weather is so good. Dating back to the 1940s means we?ve been fighting a losing battle to repair it in recent years ? so we will be looking at ways that we could bring in external funding for a replacement as part of the wider improvements.