We?re starting to see a rise in cases of Covid-19, both in the city and nationally. This is expected, given the relaxation of Covid restrictions along with the return of school children after the summer holidays. This time last year, increasing rates of the virus led to ever-tightening restrictions over the autumn before the inevitable lockdown in January. Let?s do all we can to avoid that happening again by following three simple steps:

• Step 1: Try to apply ?hands/face/space/fresh air? wherever you can. Face coverings remain a simple but important way to reduce the transmission of the virus, especially in busy indoor spaces such as shops and public transport.
• Step 2: Take a regular test for Covid, at least weekly, even if you don?t have symptoms. If you feel unwell (fever, cough, loss of taste / smell), isolate and take a free PCR test
• Step 3: Getting double-jabbed is the best protection against Covid-19. We have vaccination centres all over the city. You can find out more information about Covid-19 testing and vaccinations at nottinghamcity.gov.uk/coronavirus

Our city has worked hard to stay safe and well from Covid-19. It has not been easy, but I am proud of the collective efforts made by our citizens. Let?s look after ourselves, each other and our city by taking some simple steps now to avoid another tough winter of restrictions.

At a time when energy prices are rising and concerns are increasing about the need for greener ways to heat and power homes, it?s great news that the City Council has secured ?4.4m from the Government?s Green Homes Grant to fit solar panels to over 600 properties in Nottingham. Low-income homeowners and private renters in Nottingham can apply to have the panels fitted to their properties free of charge, in a bid to reduce energy bills and reduce carbon emissions.

We have many low-income households in Nottingham who are facing a combination of factors which place a further squeeze on their over-stretched budgets. Installing solar panels is expected to save around ?240 a year in electricity costs per household and would equate to a carbon saving of 440 tonnes over 655 properties.

To be eligible for the scheme, the property must be in the City of Nottingham and have a low energy performance and the household income must be less than ?30,000 a year. Find out more here. Anyone interested in applying or finding out more can contact [email protected] or call 0115 666 7298.

This is the latest in a series of schemes which has seen the council use Government funding to install solar panels on over 4,000 social housing properties since 2012.

We?ve today backed a national safety campaign highlighting the dangers that small, high-powered magnets can pose to young children.

These are found in everyday toys and craft-making kits, but can be extremely serious if swallowed. Nationally, there has been an increase in the number of cases where children and young people have suffered serious injuries as a result of swallowing small, high-powered magnets.

Our Trading Standards department has teamed up with the Office for Product Safety and Standards, supported by The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, and the Child Accident Prevention Trust. Find out more

It was wonderful to see thousands of people, including my colleague Cllr Woodings, taking part in the 40^th Robin Hood Marathon around the city yesterday. After a year off due to Covid, the weather was great and plenty of people were lining the route to cheer participants on.

The race started and finished at the Victoria Embankment, taking in the city centre and Wollaton Park, with a shorter route allowing children and others to take part. It?s great to see the city?s social calendar returning to some normality where possible.