COP26 gets underway in Glasgow this Sunday and I am looking forward to representing Nottingham online and in person over the next few weeks. COP26, the UN?s Climate Change Conference, follows five years after the momentous Paris Agreement was adopted at COP21. This year?s event will be even more significant as the countries that committed to working together to tackle climate change now have to bring even more ambitious plans forward in order to keep the hope of holding temperature rises to 1.5 alive.

This is a critical time for the planet, and COP26 will bring together world leaders, climate experts and scientists to discuss and agree actions to try and combat one of the most pressing crises humans have ever faced. We need to act together and take bold decisions for the lasting benefit of all. Nottingham is leading in many of the things that are needed to tackle climate change and I will be honoured to represent and share the work of our great city at this prestigious event. I?ll also be there to learn from other cities around the world and bring this best practice back to Nottingham to enhance our own work.

I am really proud that our Nottingham City Homes 2050 project has been chosen as just one of 17 projects worldwide to be on show as part of the UK?s Built Environment Virtual Pavilion at COP26, an exhibition of projects that are making an immediate positive impact on the planet and people?s lives.

Our NCH2050 project is transforming some of the city?s hardest-to-heat council homes into super insulated, low maintenance near ?net zero energy? homes, increasing their energy efficiency and reducing heating and energy costs for residents. These retrofits have created desirable, warm and affordable homes which already meet 2050 standards whilst tackling fuel poverty and climate change.

Nottingham as a city is dedicated to cutting carbon emissions, with a goal of becoming the first UK city to be carbon neutral by 2028. The NCH2050 project plays an important part in that and I am glad that people from across the world will get to see the real difference this project is making at COP26.

You can find out more here

Nottingham is aiming to be the UK?s first carbon neutral city by 2028 ? something we can only achieve with your help.

So far, the City Council has become the first in the world to start using electric bin collection vehicles, planted over 14,000 new trees, added insulation to over 7,000 homes and solar panels to over 4,000, and helped over half of Nottingham?s taxis to go ultra-low emission as part of our sustainable transport network. And that?s just the start.

Because every gram of carbon you don?t emit helps make our future a little better, you could try:

• Eating as little meat and dairy as possible
• Washing clothes only when they really need it and then at 30 degrees or less. Line dry or an airer rather than a tumble drier
• Leaving the car at home ? the vast majority of journeys are between 2-5 miles ? the perfect short cycle ride or walk
• For longer journeys use public transport
• Switch to a renewable energy tariff
• Join our Green Rewards scheme

Find out more here

We are expecting more people to be invited to take up their Covid-19 booster jab this week. Having your booster jab is a key protector against Covid-19, as well as being double-vaccinated and following the hands, space and face guidance.

The NHS will contact you to let you know when you're eligible to use this service ? so please wait to be contacted.

This will be at least six months after your second dose of the vaccine if you're either:

• Aged 50 and over
• Aged 16 and over with a health condition that puts you at high risk from COVID-19

You can also use this service if you're a frontline health and social care worker.

I?m bitterly disappointed by today?s news via the Chancellor?s Budget that our bids for the Broad Marsh and Island Quarter sites were not successful. These are two of the UK?s largest regeneration sites and can play a hugely significant role in Nottingham?s post-pandemic growth. We have widespread local support for the plans for these sites from people who understand the difference they could make to our city. They would seem to be obvious candidates for Government funding that aims to help level up areas which have too often been overlooked for financial support.

We will look towards submitting fresh bids for these sites for the next round of Levelling Up funding next spring, as we firmly believe they are too important for Government to ignore.

However, we welcome the fact that Nottingham will ?18m receive thanks to our successful bid for this amount to carry out a range of transport improvements around the city. I would like to thank council officers who successfully secured the transport funding investment in this competitive process. This will make a big difference in our neighbourhoods by improving roads and pavements, rolling out more electric vehicle charging points, turning our streetlights to energy-saving LED bulbs and improving active travel options around schools.

I was very proud to see a story in The Ipaper yesterday which confirmed something I think we all know ? Nottingham is the best place in the UK to live and work. The story comes from research conducted by Opinium on behalf of a financial service company and rates the quality of life in UK cities, examining the affordability of housing, pace of life and the ease of commuting. Nottingham topped the list as the best place to live and work, beating Leeds, Edinburgh, Liverpool and Glasgow.