We continue to watch on in horror at the awful situation in Ukraine as Russian troops invade a sovereign European state, which today has included shelling a nuclear site.

This despicable invasion has huge ramifications around the world, including here in Nottingham where we have a significant Ukrainian community. The Council House is flying the Ukrainian flag which is one way we can show our solidarity and we are offering whatever support we can provide, including refuge to those in need.

Unfortunately, the revised visa rules fall woefully short of what is needed and I will be making representations to the Government to make it easier for people fleeing war in Ukraine to seek refuge in the UK. I also took the decision earlier in the week to sever our twin-city ties with Krasnodar in Russia and Minsk in Belarus in response to the invasion of Ukraine. This was in no way a reflection on the people of these two cities, but borne out of our unwillingness to be associated with both the Russian and Belarusian governments.

There will be another vigil taking place at the Brian Clough statue on Sunday from noon which anyone is welcome to join. An emergency fund-raising appeal has been set up to support Ukrainian people and donations can be made here www.dec.org.uk. The UK Government will match pound-for-pound up to ?20 million donated by the public to this appeal.

I?m proud of the way people in Nottingham pulled together to help each other during the Covid pandemic. We?re keen to build on that good work by creating a new network of local Community Champions who will continue to support people in their neighbourhoods.

We?re looking for volunteers from across the city who can help to shape this new network of Champions ? people who really understand how their local communities work and what is important to them. Our Champions will support the City Council and local NHS to help improve health and wellbeing. This could include sharing information with family and friends, local groups, parents and carers at the school gates or people you work with, putting posters in shops, restaurants, pubs, notice boards or community spaces and sharing posts on social media.

You do not need any special skills or experience to be a Community Champion ? we?ll make sure you get all of the training and support you need. This is a really exciting challenge. We proved during the pandemic that the way we support each other in our communities is important for our health and wellbeing. Find out more about becoming a Community Champion

Getting vaccinated plays an important part in helping us to live with Covid safely. Please make sure you?ve had every dose available to you. If you are yet to be vaccinated, it?s not too late. You can still book an appointment to get your jab.

Anyone over 16 can go along to a vaccination centre ? plus there are special clinics for children aged five and over. If you have questions about the vaccine, there are staff at every centre who will be happy to talk to you. You can check your nearest vaccination centre and opening times and book an appointment by visiting the NHS website: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19.

We were pleased to announce this week that almost 100 more pupils than last year got their first-choice secondary school in Nottingham for September. This was especially good news because our Admissions team received an additional 150 applications compared with 2021 ? a significant number which would account for almost an entire year group in some city academies.

We know that it?s a stressful time for pupils, parents and carers as they await news of a school place so we hope that, with 85 per cent getting either their first or second choice this year, we?ve helped them make the transition from primary education that they were looking for. Council staff will be on hand over the coming days and weeks to answer any questions or help with appeals to the academies. Find out more

This week myself and Councillor Rosemary Healy, Portfolio Holder for Transport, hosted a fact-finding visit from the House of Lords Built Environment Committee to support its inquiry into public transport in towns and cities.

The inquiry is looking at trends of public transport in towns and cities, including technological and digital developments on travel behaviours, future trends in public transport innovation and how policy may be shaped in light of these. We are pleased that Nottingham has been identified by the committee as an area of good practice for public transport integration and innovation.

During the visit, the Committee had the opportunity to hear about the development of our public transport system, experience it for themselves as well as meet with colleagues from Tramlink and NCT. The committee recognised the leadership the council had taken in enabling an integrated and effective public transport system, which was very positive to hear.

Do you fancy a job where no two days are ever the same? Our CPOs work to serve Nottingham?s communities, in a challenging and highly-rewarding role. They tackle environmental crimes like fly-tips, build strong links with local people, work with police colleagues to bring down crime and anti-social behaviour and keep residents safe.

If you want a job where you truly make a difference to people?s lives every day, we want to hear from you. Find out more.?