The new target to get everyone over 18 to have a third ?booster? vaccination by the end of the year is an ambitious one ? but it is a push that aims to protect as many people as possible from Covid 19. The City Council has worked closely with the NHS on the vaccination programme since the start and will continue to support them to achieve this new booster target. Vaccination remains the best defence against Covid ? regardless of the variant. We would encourage everyone who is now eligible to book their booster online: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination.

If you haven?t had your first or second dose, then please remember: it isn?t too late. You can still get your jab at one of the many vaccination centres and start to build up your protection against Covid.

Having your vaccination is one of the ways we can continue to stay safe and reduce the spread of the virus. Although cases of Covid are rising, we want people to still be able to enjoy the many attractions and events our city has to offer? but we must do it safely. So as well as being up to date with your vaccination, please also:

• Wear a face covering in indoor public places
• Take a rapid lateral flow test before you go out to be confident you are Covid-free
• If you have any symptoms of Covid, then please don?t go out ? but instead book yourself a free PCR test.

When you?ve done all of these things, from Wednesday you might also be asked to prove it via the NHS Covid App in order to gain access to some venues.

I know this is all a lot to ask ? but it remains the best chance we have to slow the spread of the virus to keep each other safe and help to ease pressure on the NHS over winter. Please do all you can to take care of yourself and each other.

Many of you will have Christmas plans for visiting events and activities in Nottingham and while it?s a worry to see Covid case figures rising, as mentioned above there are safe ways to still enjoy events and attractions. We mentioned on Friday that several of our theatre venues have the industry-wide See it Safely mark, so you can feel confident the venue is following the latest Government and?performing arts guidance.

There is another safety standard for events ? The Good To Go Mark which is awarded by Visit Britain. Many local venues, including the Christmas at Wollaton illuminations event, have this accreditation and there is a searchable map of Good to Go venues on their website. Businesses are contacted regularly when there are updates in Government guidance and asked to make adaptations.

There is lots of great advice on both websites and each venue also has information with the latest Covid guidance on their websites including FAQs to help with any questions or concerns you have to help you have the safest visit possible.

The festive season is upon us and despite all of our best efforts, it can be easy to forget about the importance of disposing of waste correctly ? but with so much additional waste about at Christmas, recycling is as important as ever. So, here?s a handy guide to what festive items can go in your recycling bin.

Yes please ?

• Metal and plastic sweets tins
• Glass bottles and jars
• Gift wrapping that?s made of paper
• Christmas cards without plastic or other hard decorations (or tear these off)

No thanks ?

• Takeaway containers
• Foil wrapping paper (if it?s shiny and won?t stay scrunched up it?s foil)
• Bows and ribbons
• Baubles and other Christmas decorations.

And remember we can?t recycle loose plastic bags so please don?t put these in your recycling bin and please don?t put recycling items into plastic bags either, we need your recycling loose and clean.

After the festive period, Nottingham City Council can collect and recycle your real Christmas tree for just ?5. Your tree will be recycled and the chippings used in Nottingham parks and open spaces. We?ll start recycling trees from 6 January 2022. Please remove all decorations and lights from your tree beforehand.

Book now ? slots fill up quickly! www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/christmastreecollection

Our consultation on the council?s budget continues this week. Thank you to everyone who has taken part so far. There are two in-person budget consultation meetings to go ? tomorrow, Bulwell Riverside Joint Service Centre at 1pm and next Monday (20 December) at Clifton Cornerstone Joint Service Centre starting at 1pm. You can find details here: Budget Consultation Events

It?s your opportunity to hear more about our budget proposals and tell us what you think. We look forward to seeing you.

Our online budget survey is currently open and closes on the 10^th January, find out more and have your say here Nottingham City Council 2022/23 Budget.