We have formally approved our 2022/23 budget at Full Council this afternoon, which has closed a starting budget gap of ?28m. We?ve further agreed a four-year plan to set the organisation on a stable financial course for the future. My thanks to Cllr Webster for his leadership throughout the budget process.

It?s been one of the hardest to date, given the reduction over so many years of the grant the Council receives from Government. At a time when there is much pressure on services, especially for the elderly, those with care plans and looked-after children, it?s left us having to make some really difficult decisions.

These have included the closure of some children?s centres in the city, introducing administration charges for second and third resident parking permits and bulky-waste collections, and a staffing reduction in play and youth services.

However, following public consultation we will now keep the main city centre public toilets on Greyhound Street free of charge, save an additional children?s centre from closure, while more youth and play service staff will be retained. I?m pleased we?ve also agreed a ?230m investment programme over five years in Nottingham City Council?s housing stock.

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At Full Council today, the Lord Mayor of Nottingham, Councillor Dave Trimble, spoke out about the appalling scenes from Ukraine over recent days as Russian forces invade a sovereign state. This despicable invasion has huge ramifications around the world, including here in Nottingham where we have a significant Ukrainian community. Our residents will undoubtedly be extremely worried about what?s happening and may be concerned about family and friends still in Ukraine. All City Councillors came together from across the political groups in support of Ukraine and the Council will continue to stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine offering whatever support we can provide, including refuge to those in need.

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.

Tomorrow, Nottingham celebrates International Women?s Day with events, remembrance and lighting up the Council House purple. There are things happening at Rough Trade, Nottingham Women?s Centre, and more. Nottingham Fempowerment will host a women-only celebration at New Art Exchange called ?Break the Bias?, where you?ll hear from my fellow Dales councillor Neghat Khan along with activities for kids, workshops and food and drink.

I?m immensely proud to lead the Council of a city filled with such inspirational women, past and present ? and to work alongside many of them here at Nottingham City Council.

Nottingham City Council is proud to support local people to find jobs, or the training and skills they need to start new careers or get back into work.?Through the Nottingham Jobs service, a local partnership with the Department for Work & Pensions and Futures, we?ve helped many thousands of local people into work.

Nottingham Jobs offers jobseekers of all ages one-to-one support with everything from tips and promoting job vacancies to how they can overcome personal barriers, prepare CVs and succeed in job interviews.

The service also holds regular job fairs and events across the city, which help people meet employers and find suitable positions, as well as helping employers to recruit and grow their businesses. The next jobs fair will be held on 28 March in the Old Market Square, Nottingham, it has already attracted more than 50 employers, representing retail, public transport, healthcare, emergency services, hospitality, and marketing sectors who are offering around 1,400 live vacancies.

Follow Nottingham Jobs on social media to find out about smaller job fairs throughout 2022, information about Nottingham City Council's homecare campaign to recruit more people who can help local people live full and independent lives, as well as the launch of the new-look Nottingham Jobs website.

Best of luck to Nottingham Forest as they meet Huddersfield Town in the fifth round of the FA Cup in a couple of hours. It?s a home game so fingers crossed playing at home gives them the edge and they progress to the quarter-finals for the first time since 1996.