I?m pleased to announce that we are providing extra financial support to residents for food and heating this winter thanks to the Household Support Grant. People who receive Council Tax Support can now claim:

• Supermarket e-vouchers (worth ?100)
• Energy bill e-vouchers (worth ?49)

The City Council has secured the funds from the Government?s Household Support Grant. The supermarket and energy bill e-vouchers will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications opened today and will close at midnight on 31 January 2022. People will then be able to claim a second batch of vouchers (?50 for supermarkets and ?49 for heating) from 1 February to 31 March 2022.

The Household Support Grant is a welcome relief. No one in Nottingham should have to choose between heating and eating. These e-vouchers will help residents and families to keep the heating on and put food on their tables this Christmas.

Click here to find out more: www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/HouseholdSupportVouchers

Our consultation on the Council?s budget is in full swing with public events this week at Dales Library, Bilborough Community Centre and Mary Potter Joint Service Centre. If you can?t get along in person, you are also welcome to join online at one of our virtual events. You can find full details of this week?s meetings here https://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/engage-nottingham-hub/budget-consultation-events/

It?s your opportunity to hear more about our budget proposals and to have your say. We look forward to seeing you.

With increases in bills and the cost of living as well as taxes going up and continuing issues around the pandemic, this Christmas will be a tough one for many.?

Taking out payday or doorstep loans is a bad idea - they might seem like an easy way to get cash quickly, but you'll end up paying an arm and a leg due to sky-high interest rates.

The cheapest places to borrow money will always be a bank, building society or?Notts and Lincs Credit Union?- who may be able to help where others can't if you have a poor credit history.

If you are struggling generally with bills, debt, eviction or other money issues, Nottingham City Council?s friendly welfare rights team can help you. Call 0115 915 1355 (8:30am ? 4:50pm) or email [email protected]??

We?re seeing cases of Covid-19 continue to rise in the city, as with elsewhere in the country. There are three important steps we should all take:

1. Be aware of the symptoms: fever, cough and loss of taste/smell. If you have any of these symptoms, no matter how mild, you should book a PCR test and isolate from others until you get the results.
2. Wear a face covering: this is really important when you are in crowded or indoor public spaces.
3. Get vaccinated: If you are eligible and you haven?t had your first, second or booster vaccination don?t delay. It is never too late to get your jab ? book online here.

Please help us to reduce the spread of the virus this winter.

Every year, colleagues at Nottingham City Council and local businesses work to help organise Christmas gifts for the vulnerable children and families we support who have experienced neglect or abuse. ?It?s been another especially difficult year for many vulnerable children and we?re trying to help make their Christmas as magical as possible. If you feel you can help make this Christmas a happier one for a child in Nottingham we have an online Amazon wish list with gifts starting from just over ?1+ for anyone who would like to contribute.

Please follow the link Christmas Stars Appeal | Amazon Wish List which will open in your Amazon account and save it to the ?Your Friends? wish list.?There is a range of toys, gifts, clothes, craft ideas and more to choose from with a range of prices. Simply add a gift (or two) to your basket and when you go to checkout select the delivery address ?Christmas Stars Appeal?s Gift Registry address? in the other address section. Where possible please place your orders for delivery before?Friday 17?December?to ensure the gifts get to Santa ready for the big day.