Unfortunately, despite the easing of restrictions across the country and in Nottingham, the Covid-19 pandemic isn?t over. Cases are still high in Nottingham, and in surrounding areas such as Mansfield and Rushcliffe, which means our risk of catching the virus is still high.

There are simple and quick steps we can all still do to help protect ourselves, and others, from the virus.

• Get your vaccination. It?s never too late. You can get details of all vaccination sites and their opening times here: https://nottsccg.nhs.uk/covid-19/covid-19-vaccinations/where-to-go-for-your-covid-19-vaccination-appointment/
• Get tested. Testing is quick and free. Find out how to access testing here: https://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/get-a-covid-19-test/
• Still remember hands, face and space. We are still encouraging everyone in the city to wear their mask when in busy indoor places and on public transport.

We all want to enjoy the new freedoms we have, but let?s still do our bit and enjoy them carefully and stay safe.

Like many people, I have seen the IPCC?s assessment of where we are heading with global warming and frankly it fills me with dread. If people aren?t scared by this, then they should be ? it?s the starkest warning yet that we are heading for catastrophe unless we take swift and effective action now. You only have to see what?s been happening in Greece, China, California and closer to home with increased flooding and extreme weather to realise the climate is changing and bringing untold dangers with it.

We can only hope that Governments will come together at the COP26 conference in Glasgow later this year and agree to take action now ? but in the meantime we must all do what we can and try harder to make a difference. I will be signing the Glasgow Food and Climate Declaration, confirming our commitment to sustainable food policies and calling on national governments to put food and farming at the heart of the global response to the climate emergency at COP26. It comes as Nottingham continues to carry out a wide range of action towards becoming carbon-neutral by 2028.

Nottingham City Council was the first council to take advantage of changes in the water industry that enabled businesses and organisations to choose how they receive their water supply and wastewater services. As a large consumer of water, it made sense that the council had more control over this vital resource and this week marks the second anniversary of the council becoming a water self-supply operator.

Over the past two years this service, which sits within the Carbon Reduction, Energy and Sustainability Division (CRES), has reduced operational spend, brought in management and monitoring efficiencies and has launched the Water Efficiency Loan Scheme (WELS) which invests savings in efficiency measures to save even more water and its associated carbon emissions. ??

Like many organisations the team has faced a difficult year managing operations during a time which has seen unprecedented change to the water market due to national lockdowns and local level restrictions. I am so pleased that despite the lockdown and an extremely challenging financial climate for local authorities, the team has been able to ensure the council uses water more efficiency, has lowered costs and improved our environmental performance.

Every household in Nottingham City has been contacted by Electoral Services as part of the Annual Canvass to ensure that our Electoral Register is accurate and up-to-date. This will be either by email, text or letter.

Email / text

If we have your email address or phone number, we?will have contacted you asking to confirm your household details online instead of posting you a form. The email will come from?[email protected]. THIS IS NOT SPAM. Please check your inbox.

Paper form

If we don't have your email address or phone number or you don't respond to our initial contact,?you will receive a?paper?form through the post.

If the form asks you to respond then it is important to do so to ensure that you can have your say at future elections. Where possible, please try to respond online or alternatively, you can post the form back to us.

For more information visit www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/elections