The council?s Executive Board will meet next week to agree next year?s budget and a four-year financial plan to put the council on a sustainable financial footing. Councils must set a balanced budget and it has been another difficult process with tough decisions to make, requiring ?28m of savings to be made in the coming year alone.? We have listened to feedback from the consultation we carried out and will be considering proposals which reduce the Children?s Centre savings originally put forward - retaining four centres rather than three ? as well as increasing the number of Play and Youth Services staff that will be retained and withdrawing the proposal to charge for toilets at Greyhound Street.

I want to thank everyone who took part in our budget consultation. We always said the proposals were not set in stone and we?ve listened carefully to what people have told us and acted on their views and suggestions. A proposed increase in Council Tax of 1.99%, which is below the current level of inflation and a further 1% rise to cover the additional costs of adult social care, will also be considered.

The balanced Medium Term Financial Plan is key to delivering our Together for Nottingham improvement programme and is a positive response to the Non Statutory Review and the Improvement and Assurance Board. Securing the council?s finances on a sustainable, long-term footing has been challenging but difficult decisions made now will provide a solid foundation for the longer term and enable more investment in key council services in the coming years.

More information here

It?s encouraging to hear that as many as 1,000 civil service jobs could be in the pipeline for Nottingham by 2030. The jobs will be created as part of the Places for Growth programme, which has been tasked with aiding the Levelling Up agenda by moving 22,000 Civil Service roles outside Greater London by 2030, boosting economic growth and increasing opportunity in the regions, as well as delivering a more representative civil service. These roles will be across a variety of Government departments including the Department of Justice, Department for Culture, Media & Sport, Department for Education, Department of Health and Social Care, and HM Revenue and Customs.

Invest in Nottingham and Nottingham City Council have been working with the Places for Growth team since 2018, to demonstrate why Nottingham is a good fit for many departments, which departments will help us to strengthen Nottingham?s key sectors and skillsets, as well as helping them to understand our regional priorities.

This is a great city offering an excellent quality of life, with two top level universities that can provide the skilled staff needed for civil service roles. I would welcome more local decision-making and Government departments being based in Nottingham. More here

I?m pleased to announce today that City Council-run car parks have been awarded a national accreditation for safety and anti-crime measures. All 21 of our off-street facilities have been handed Park Mark status, which is issued by the British Parking Association on behalf of the police.

This aims to reduce crime and the fear of crime, requiring operators to create a plan to make this happen. It helps to reassure the public that Council car parks are a really safe place to leave their vehicles. We?re particularly proud of this recognition at the new Broad Marsh car park where we?ve worked really hard on lighting, security and innovative features to make it the best it can be. More information here

During the half term break this week there?s a whole host of activities at our leisure centres for the kids to enjoy.

Clifton Leisure Centre is hosting a unique and challenging under-the-sea adventure for toddlers and children with Little Treasures Soft Play, while ?Swim for Fun? sessions are available at Clifton Leisure Centre and Southglade Leisure Centre.

Spaces are available to book online here, via the Active Nottingham app or in centres seven days in advance.