As we move towards winter, I would like to urge you to do everything you can to take care of yourself. We have both Covid-19 and flu circulating at the moment so it is important to get the right jabs to protect you, your family and the people you come into contact with.

The flu vaccine is available now. It is safe, effective and protects millions of people each year. If you are eligible, you can make an appointment through your GP or pharmacy ? whichever is more convenient. You can find out more about the flu jab here.

The Covid-19 vaccine will also help to keep you safe. Thousands of people have already taken up the offer of a free jab in Nottingham. It?s not too late to get your first jab ? or even your second or booster jab. You can get them for free at the Forest Recreation Ground vaccination centre. It is open every day this week (including the weekend) and there are staff there who can answer any questions you might have. It?s worth taking a moment to book a time slot so you don?t get caught in queues. Click here to book your slot.

We know that the pandemic has heightened young people?s worries and concerns about their own and friends? mental health and so the launch of a new website to provide a one-stop shop for support has come at a crucial time. The NottAlone website has been developed by young people, parents, carers and professionals from Nottinghamshire County Council, Nottingham City Council, NHS trusts and other local partners.

It enables young people and families to get all the information, help and support they need on a range of mental health issues including anxiety, bullying, eating problems, bereavement, low mood and self-esteem. We encourage young people, families and professionals working with young people to visit?www.nottalone.org.uk?and to help spread the word.

It?s exciting to open the consultation today on the proposed location for a new pedestrian and cycle bridge over the River Trent.

Fully funded by a Government grant from the Transforming Cities Fund, this will be the first new bridge over the river in Nottingham in more than 60 years, opening up safer and more direct routes for people walking, cycling and running.

Spanning from Trent Basin, Colwick on the north bank, to the Lady Bay area on the south bank, the bridge will be a really important part of our infrastructure, connecting existing cycle routes and improving access to green spaces. It will also support developments such as the Waterside Regeneration Zone and Island Quarter, and help to alleviate traffic pressures by making it easier to travel sustainably.

We?re pleased to be working on this in partnership with Rushcliffe Borough Council, and would encourage people to check out the new images of the bridge and have their say before 28 November at www.transportnottingham.com/watersidebridge

Today at Full Council I was pleased to vote for a motion?calling for more to be done to address the impact that unaffordable childcare has on Nottingham families, and particularly women in the workplace.

The motion was brought by my colleague Cllr Rebecca Langton following discussions between the City Council and the Nottingham Women?s Centre, who have been researching the issue. England is one of the most expensive places in the world for childcare; the average cost of a full-time nursery place is ?263 a week, which is over half the average wage.?

We will now be looking to deliver?an awareness campaign to increase access to support, reviewing council policies to support working parents and continuing with our commitment to be a Child Friendly City. We are also asking the?Government to take steps in order to address the childcare crisis, asking?that they provide subsidised childcare from six months as well introducing a cap on the cost of extra hours of childcare. We?re also asking the Government to increase child benefit, remove the two-child cap for Child Tax credits and to improve the Self Employment Income Support Scheme so that parents are supported when they are unable to work due to school and early year?s closures.