Today Nottingham?s tram network has come of age! The first line, from Hucknall to Nottingham Station, opened on 9 March 2004.

Since then the network has grown to include two further lines, with 37 trams running on 32km of track, connecting key destinations, including our two universities, the city centre, major employers, and the station. It?s also the only tram system in the country that directly serves a hospital.

More than 18 million journeys were made by tram every year pre-pandemic, and NET played a vital role during the lockdowns and periods of various restrictions by continuing to provide a service for those who needed to travel for work, food shopping and medical appointments.

I have no doubt the tram will continue to play its part in helping Nottingham bounce back from the effects of the pandemic, especially aiding a greener recovery thanks to the electric trams being powered completely using renewable energy.

In a celebration held last night I was pleased to see a tram named after two local community champions; Benjamin Rosser, founder of The Pythian Club, and Bill Chambers, who has spent 50 years as a football coach in St Ann?s. The tram isn?t just an important part of our infrastructure, it?s part of our communities.

Discarded electrical items are one of the fastest-growing sources of waste ? and a big threat to the environment and human health.

Recycling old electronics is better for the planet and puts valuable resources back into the economy. The Council has launched a pilot scheme where residents can recycle unwanted electrical items that are small enough to fit into a carrier bag at local leisure centres and libraries around the city. Currently we have the scheme in the following locations: Clifton Leisure Centre, Loxley House, The Dales Centre and Strelley Road Library.

Examples of items you can drop off at these locations are mobile phones, chargers, electronic toys, hairdryers, smaller kitchen appliances such as toasters or electric scales. Please remove all batteries before taking them to the recycling points. Find out more

Keen gardeners across Nottingham, including myself, will be looking forward to the Garden Waste collections beginning on 1 April.

The Council now offers residents who need additional garden waste collections an extra bin and collection during the garden waste season. The additional bin costs ?20 and the garden waste collection subscription is charged at ?25 per annum.

Residents can make use of this service by signing up online. If people already have an extra garden waste bin they will just need to subscribe to the collection rather than ordering a further bin with the scheme. Residents across the city are still entitled to their free collection of one garden waste bin.

Active Nottingham Leisure Centres are the go-to place for getting fit, staying healthy and, most importantly, having fun. Whatever your fitness level there are plenty of facilities to choose from. Throughout March they are running a special offer with 10% discount available on all annual memberships. For details and to join Active Nottingham, head over to: www.activenottingham.com/Annual-Discount

Our leisure centres are great places to

• Burn off the calories using top-of-the-line gym Technogym equipment
• Relax in one of our seven health suites, which feature saunas, steam rooms and a spa pool (try out the Himalayan Salt Rooms and Monsoon Showers at Clifton Leisure Centre)
• Drop by for a relaxing swim or ramp it up by joining a hydro-spin or aqua-fit class
• Join group exercise classes including cycling, yoga or even Zumba ? there is something for everyone, of all abilities, with more than 300 classes available
• Try an ?at-home? workout from our On-Demand Digital fitness sessions

Covid-19 is still circulating around our city ? as I found out myself this week when I tested positive. I?m staying home to avoid spreading the virus to others ? and I?m glad that I am up to date with my vaccinations.

Remember, vaccinations played a key part in allowing Covid restrictions to be lifted. Make sure, like me, you?ve had every jab available to you. It?s not too late to get your first dose of the vaccine. Book a venue/day/time to suit you: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination.