Today is the anniversary of when we first locked down for Covid in 2020. It feels like a long time ago ? and so much has happened in that time ? but this feels like an appropriate moment to pause and reflect on the collective journey we have all taken? as well as remembering those we have lost along the way.

Covid-19 has taken a huge toll on our city as we approach 1,000 deaths from the virus. This is a tragic loss for Nottingham ? and that?s why we are creating a series of ?living tributes? in their memory.

We have today given Forget-me-not seeds to every primary school in the city and asked them to help create a memorial bloom that will flower every year. Packets of the seeds are also available free in our city libraries, from Loxley House reception and from the Tourist Information Office in Old Market Square while stocks last. Forget-me-nots carry symbolic meaning of remembrance and eternal love. They are a native spring flower that are popular with bees and butterflies. They have beautiful small blue petals ? the colour of peace, healing and growth. We will also plant 1,000 trees across the city for those we have lost and create a memorial garden at Bulwell Forest.

Tomorrow, we will dedicate a Covid Memorial Tree at the Forest Recreation Ground Pavilion at 11.15am. On Saturday 2 April we will gather on the steps of the Council House and in Old Market Square at 1pm for a memorial service. I hope as many people as possible will join us for our memorials and take the opportunity to pay tribute to family, friends and colleagues who have passed away.

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The condition of local streets where people live is of great importance to residents so I?m pleased that at Executive Board yesterday, we agreed to spend over ?900,000 of our Local Transport Plan funding from Government on tackling these sorts of issues in our communities.

As well as improving more than 50 road and pavement surfaces, there?s a wide range of other work that will help to improve the air quality by encouraging more walking and cycling for short trips, as well as improving safety in our neighbourhoods with enhanced street lighting ? which will also become more energy efficient.

Some of these improvements will be funded from the Government?s Levelling Up Fund, from which we successfully bid for ?18m. This includes upgrading all streetlights across the city to LED lamps and expanding our electric vehicle charging points network. More information here

We were pleased to receive a letter of congratulation from the Government following an inspection into support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

The Council works very closely with Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Clinical Commissioning Group on SEND provision in Nottingham and it was heartening to hear that Ofsted inspectors were pleased with what they found.

There are, of course, some areas where we can look to do things differently, but the joint inspection found:

• Professionals work together effectively across services to identify the needs of children and young people with SEND
• ?Early years provision for children with SEND is strong
• ?There is wide-ranging support for children and young people?s social and emotional well-being and mental health needs, as well as for parents and professionals working with the family.

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Shop locally to spoil you mum with a locally grown planter or plant gift from the nursery at Woodthorpe Park Plant Shop, or enjoy a family day out this Mother?s Day at Wollaton Hall & Deer Park or Newstead Abbey & Gardens.

Newstead Abbey has a Journeys from Japan exhibition in the Historic House and garden tour by local and garden historian, Philip Jones, on Sunday 27th March 2022 at 1 pm and 2.30 pm, while Wollaton Hall?s Titus:?T. rex?is King, showcases an extraordinary exhibition of the first real?Tyrannosaurus rex?to be displayed in England for over a century ? each of these makes a great family day out for the whole family.

Discover more about the range of gifts from Woodthorpe Park Plant Shop on its facebook page: www.facebook.com/WoodthorpeParkPlantShop, or book tickets for Newstead Abbey?s garden tour, www.newsteadabbey.org.uk/mothers-day, or Titus: T. rex is King Exhibition at Wollaton Hall, www.wollatonhall.org.uk/titus

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