It?s great news that we have been given funding to enforce energy efficiency standards in privately rented properties in the city.

This money will go towards enforcing the Government?s Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES), which is where landlords can no longer let or continue to let properties if they have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating below ?E?. Landlords who don?t comply can be fined and put on a public register.

We now have a dedicated team offering advice and support to landlords and also enforcing these new standards and making sure that landlords improve the energy efficiency of their properties.

Landlord with a current EPC rating of ?F? or ?G? can take action now by improving the heating and insulation of a property installing central heating or double-glazed windows. There is even third-party funding available for landlords help them improve their EPC rating.

This funding will make a real difference to residents? lives, some of whom live in very cold homes. It will help us to further tackle fuel poverty in our city, making sure homes are warmer, heated properly and have the right energy efficiency measures. More information here

We?ve joined forces today with eight other local councils and the city?s two universities to promote a project for people to save money and support climate change at the same time. Green Rewards earns discounts, vouchers and prizes at local businesses in your community while helping the city to achieve its ambitious target of being carbon-neutral by 2028.

It provides a new Green Rewards app and web platform which means Nottingham residents can accumulate points and earn prizes for many activities they do every day to reduce their carbon footprint.?It is part of the Universities For Nottingham civic collaboration, which aims to improve the way the universities work with each other and their local partners to help change the lives of local people for the better.

Sign up for free now at https://notts.greenrewards.co.uk or download the Green Rewards app on iOS and Android. Search for ?Notts; Green Rewards? in your device?s app store. More here

I hope some of you are able to enjoy the half?term break and many of the activities and attractions Nottingham has to offer ? or even travelling further afield to appreciate a change of scenery.

Whilst we are relishing the freedom this autumn has so far brought, it is vital everyone still takes twice weekly lateral flow test (LFDs) during half-term to ensure a safe return to school once the break is over.

Around one in three people with Covid-19 don?t have any symptoms of the virus. Regular LFDs tests help uncover hidden cases of Covid-19 that would otherwise go undetected. Nottingham has dedicated community testing sites, mobile testing units and pick up points to support people to carry out regular testing including:

• Hyson Green Community Centre (open Tuesday to Saturday)
• Bulwell Market Place (open Mondays)
• Clifton Leisure Centre (open Wednesdays)
• Trinity Square (open Thursday and Fridays)
• Smithy Row (open Saturday and Sunday)
• Nottingham City Libraries
• Nottingham City Leisure Centres.

Tests can also be collected from local pharmacies or ordered online to be delivered to your door. Visit https://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/get-a-covid-19-test. Please remember, if you are experiencing symptoms of Covid-19 or have a positive rapid test, you must urgently take a PCR test ? you can simply book a test by visiting www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or by calling 119.? Don?t visit friends and family this half term if you are experiencing symptoms of Covid-19, even if they are double vaccinated.

This week, Nottingham City Council is calling on the Chancellor to provide much-needed funding to Local Government in his Spending Review. Councils up and down the country are concerned that the financial outlook is critical and this is no different for us here in Nottingham.

It is essential the Spending Review takes the necessary steps to address this issue which is of huge importance to our residents and local businesses. Nottingham, like many other areas of the country, is being hit on multiple fronts, including the unfunded costs due to Covid, rising fuel and energy prices, withdrawal of the Universal Credit uplift, rising inflation and the prospect of National Insurance increases in April which will impact on our local economy.

Many sectors are staking their claim for additional funding as part of this Spending Review. Local Government has been hit by austerity for over a decade now and we are rapidly reaching the point where hugely difficult decisions about the level of services we can provide will have to made. The Chancellor has an opportunity to avoid that this week by using his Spending Review to give fair funding to councils. ?

Nottingham urgently needs more both short and long-term foster carers to help care for children who really need a loving home. You'll get dedicated support and training and be paid too.

Come along to the next information evening on Zoom on Wednesday 3 November to hear from current foster carers about what fostering is like and get your questions answered.

https://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/foster/fostering-events/information-evening/