There has been a lot of speculation about whether a party took place in Downing Street last Christmas in breach of Covid restrictions. I can?t speak for the staff at No.10, but last Christmas, like most other people, I made sure I was complying with the restrictions that were introduced ? and I?ll be doing the same again this year. It?s important that we all take personal responsibility to follow the rules to help reduce the spread of Covid-19. Please wear a face covering in indoor spaces where you are mixing with others. Before you go out to a busy place or a party, take a rapid lateral flow test to be confident you are Covid-free. You should also make sure you are up to date with your vaccinations: you can book your first, second or booster jab online here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination. Please do everything you can to take care of yourself and other people this Christmas.

The Omicron variant continues to spread in the UK and the infection rate is presenting a real concern. The media are widely reporting that an announcement from Boris Johnson is imminent, so once further detail is available from Government on any next steps to tackle the virus we will publish localised information and guidance.

The new vision for Broad Marsh unveiled yesterday has understandably generated a huge amount of interest, both locally and nationally.

World-renowned designer Thomas Heatherwick was commissioned to create the blueprint by the Greater Broad Marsh Advisory Group, which the council established to ?reimagine? what is one of the most important development sites in the UK at the moment.

I?m particularly pleased to see sustainability and green space play such an important part. Making use of some of the existing frame to the old shopping centre will reduce waste and carbon emissions from new construction, supporting the city?s ambition to be the UK?s first carbon-neutral city by 2028. A new ?Green Heart? ? with a Baby Oak from Sherwood Forest as its centre piece ? will provide wildlife-rich green space set within 3.5 hectares of common ground right in the centre of the city. Find out more

Great news this week as a Mapperley primary school has become the first in the city to gain national accreditation for promoting road safety and active travel. Congratulations to St Augustine?s Roman Catholic Primary and Nursery School for all their hard work promoting sustainable travel. You can find out more here.

Last year we made steps towards closing Victoria Embankment to through traffic, making it safer for cyclists and pedestrians, while still allowing access for locals and those with mobility issues. Following a public consultation earlier this year, more than half of respondents were in favour of keeping the scheme. Since then, we?ve been developing the proposed permanent scheme in more detail, including the locations and designs of gates, bollards and other features, and we?re now inviting people to have their say on this. Find out more and have your say:?www.transportnottingham.com/embankment

This week I had the chance to drive one of our wireless taxis, as part of a project looking at the feasibility of charging taxis from pads on the ground while they sit on the ranks ? meaning drivers don?t need to plug in.

We?re testing the technology at Eastcroft Depot at the moment, with plans to try it on the Trent Street taxi rank next year. Working with Coventry University, we carried out a series of trials this week to better understand how easy people found aligning the vehicle with the charging pads.

Electric taxis are smoother to drive, offer a much quieter journey for passengers, and are cleaner on-street too. I?m really looking forward to seeing how the trial progresses. If you?d like to follow our progress, visit Wireless Charging of Electric Taxis

Every morning, the Season?s Greenings advent calendar has brought fresh inspiration for a more creative, affordable and environmentally-friendly festive period. Local organisations are sharing their tips and ideas including the art of knot wrapping as an alternative to wrapping paper, a Zero Waste gift guide for sustainable shopping, how to make your own decorations and much more.

Follow our Twitter and Facebook to keep up with CN28?s amazing advent adventure, and to find any of the previous videos you missed.

Our consultation on the Council?s budget continues this week. Thank you to everyone who has taken part so far.

Tonight and tomorrow at 6pm there?s still the chance for you to join us online at one of our virtual consultation meetings. You can find details here: Budget Consultation Events

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