With rising energy bills and increased prices at supermarkets, more and more people are struggling?to pay?bills and put food on the table. The City Council?has secured over ?3.5million from the Government?s Household Support Fund to support city residents?struggling with the rising cost of living. Pensioners and families are set to benefit as the council take steps to help?the most vulnerable households.

Similar funding has previously been used?towards a package of vouchers for Nottingham residents who receive Council Tax Support, ?including e-vouchers for supermarkets, energy bills and pupils eligible for free school meals throughout the school holidays.?

While the?Household Support Fund is welcome, it?provides only temporary and partial relief to people. We will?continue to press the Government strongly?for?more sustainable solutions to tackle inequality while also demanding that Nottingham people get the financial assistance they desperately need during this cost of living crisis .

Anyone facing financial difficulties can contact our welfare rights team weekdays 8.30am ? 4.50pm: 0115 915 1355 / [email protected], or if you?re a council tenant, you can contact Nottingham City Homes for support at www.nottinghamcityhomes.org.uk/renthelp ?

Find out more here ?

This Sunday you can visit Wollaton Hall & Deer Park for the Dawn Chorus, as part of Nottingham?s City Nature Challenge and to celebrate International Dawn Chorus Day.

The Parks team will open the park for access from 5am, so simply visit and enjoy a stroll around Wollaton Park as normal. Visitors are recommended to prepare for their low light walk by bringing torches or phone light to see paths safely. With the sound of the Dawn Chorus it is a wonderful time to enjoy the wildlife in the park!

I am hoping that local businesses will be queuing up next week to try out new electric vans for free to consider for their fleet. Our transport team has already loaned vans to 70 local businesses under the Electric Van Experience (EVE) project, funded by National Highways.

At a time when the ban on new diesel vehicles is looming large, and fuel costs are soaring, this is a great offer for local businesses from the public or private sector. Our team will be on hand outside the Arc Building on the NG2 Business Park, Enterprise Way, between 11am and 3pm next Thursday (5^th May). They will explain the benefits of an electric van, answer any questions and take interested businesses out for a 15-minute drive to help them decide if they?d like to sign up for a free 30-day vehicle loan.

Providing the premises are suitable, businesses who take up the offer will be able to have a charge point fitted at no cost and will be invited to take advantage of the services offered by Nottingham Electric Vehicle Services. As a council we?ve long been committed to improving air quality in the city, and this scheme will further help to reduce harmful emissions from the city?s and region?s roads. More information here

Huge thanks to our friends over at Nottingham BID who have joined the Clean Champions and are doing regular litter picks around their office in the city centre! Together, we can make such a big difference keeping rubbish off our streets, out of our waterways and recycling more to do our bit for the planet.

Would you like to join the Clean Champions with your workmates? All kinds of groups can join Clean Champions together ? from families or friends to Scout or other groups! For any businesses wishing to take part in the Big Nottingham Spring Clean, organisations can get a free litter picking kit at www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/cleanchampions.

After three years as Deputy Leader I?ve decided to step down from this role. However, I will still be leading the council's climate change, carbon reduction and sustainability efforts in my role as Portfolio Holder for this area.

I would like to congratulate my fellow councillor Adele Williams who has been elected to be the new Deputy Leader. I know she will make an excellent contribution to the leadership team alongside David Mellen and I look forward to continuing to work with them.?

The role of Deputy Leader has at times been very challenging but rewarding, and it?s been a real privilege to have held such a key position for our great city, Nottingham. I would like to take the opportunity to thank all the people who have supported me in these interesting times.?