After an 11-month delay, the Government this week finally confirmed its plans for rail investment in the Midlands and the North, and it wasn?t good news for HS2.

While it?s welcome news that Nottingham will be served directly by high speed services, thanks to the decision to include the HS2 hub at East Midlands Parkway instead of Toton, overall the decision to cancel the delivery of the Eastern Leg up to Leeds is a huge disappointment.

It's yet another broken promise from this Government to our historically underfunded regions, and will do little to improve much-needed connections to the north, or ?level up? the country.

Another element we are pleased to see is a long overdue re-commitment to electrification of the Midland Main Line, which will be critical in cutting the carbon emissions from heavy rail in the city and the wider region, and support our Carbon Neutral 2028 and cleaner air ambitions.

Read the full statement.

Speaking of our CN28 ambitions, I?m delighted that Nottingham has been recognised as an A List City by environmental impact non-profit organisation CDP, alongside ten other cities in the UK. Not only does this acknowledge the city?s efforts to be a leader in tackling the climate emergency, but it also demonstrates our vision to improve the quality of life for those who live and work in the city.

Following on from COP26, we are keen to drive positive change within the city. Working alongside other A List cities ? including Bristol, Manchester, and Newcastle ? we can implement innovative technologies and share best practice. By measuring, disclosing, and understanding Nottingham?s environmental impact, with the help of organisations like CDP, we are able to take the urgent action needed to build a sustainable and thriving economy. More here

The first stage of this year?s budget consultation is now underway with Councillor Webster hosting a meeting with members of the Youth Cabinet earlier this week. It was very helpful to hear the views of young people on the difficult decisions we are having to make and the range of savings proposal we have put forward. My thanks go to everyone who attended this event.

I?d like to stress that we genuinely want to hear as many people?s views as possible on the budget proposals. Nothing is set in stone and we will be using all the feedback we receive to inform the future decisions we will need to take. We have a range of consultation meetings coming up over the next eight weeks ? both online and face-to-face. Full details are available here. Please join us if you can.

Yesterday was national Equal Pay Day and in Nottingham this was marked with the launch of online pay gap reports of a number of local organisations, including the City Council, both universities, Notts Police and Notts Fire & Rescue as well as major private employers.

The gender pay gap shows the difference in the average pay between all men and women in a workforce. This can help organisations to take action where necessary and encourage conversations around diversity. I?m proud that the council, which is hosting the information on its website, can show that female staff are paid on average the same as male counterparts.

We are committed to ensuring our workforce is representative of the community we serve. We want to attract and retain talented employees from a wide range of backgrounds and with diverse skills and experience to operate as effectively as possible. More information here

We?re seeing a rise in Covid-19 cases in Nottingham at a time when many people are starting to mix more with others in shops, restaurants and pubs. Please remember: you are at higher risk of catching or passing on Covid-19 in crowded and enclosed spaces, where there are more people who might be infectious and where there is limited fresh air.

I would ask everyone to take a free lateral flow test before going out to give you peace of mind that you are unlikely to be infectious and able to spread the virus. You can get free rapid lateral flow tests by visiting www.nhs.uk/Get-Tested, most pharmacies or by calling 119.

Please also remember: regular testing is for when you don?t have symptoms, to make sure you?re all-clear. If you do have symptoms of Covid-19 (fever, cough or loss of taste/smell) ? no matter how mild ? you must book a PCR. You can book it here: www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test. Do take care of yourself and take care of each other this winter.

The team at Newstead Abbey has a tale to tell this festive period as Storybook Christmas returns from Saturday 27 November to Monday 3 January 2022. New for this year is Christmas legend and much-loved story, The Nutcracker. Be enthralled by stunningly dressed rooms as you tour the historic house.?

Each weekend (Sat-Sun), there will also be a craft market in the cloisters with a range of local handmade goods. The craft stalls can be accessed either as part of the Storybook Christmas house tour, or via the shop if you're just visiting the gardens.

You can book here, with the option to add Festive Afternoon Tea or a full Christmas dinner.

This week we have been proud to raise a banner on the Council House to support the cause of Disability History Month, now in its 12th Year. The month of action runs from 18th November until 18th December and the aim is to celebrate the lives and contributions of disabled people now and in the past. It?s also about challenging the status quo and working to achieve equality. If you?d like to find out more about this important campaign, please visit https://ukdhm.org

Finally I would like to urge you to support the Dolly Parton Imagination Big Reading Challenge next week. All next week, councillors and officers will be taking on the #BigReadingChallenge to help raise money for the Imagination Library. Help us give the gift of reading by supporting them - www.gofundme.com/f/big-reading-challenge-2021