We are celebrating Foster Care Fortnight, a national campaign raising awareness of foster care. Currently we have 238 children being looked after by foster carers in the city. But we need more carers.

Foster carers do an incredible job. They provide safe, loving and stable homes for vulnerable babies, children and teenagers. But we need more carers to ensure that every child in need can have this support.

Could you foster? Or do you know someone who would be an amazing foster carer? Please visit our website to find out more about fostering https://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/foster

We have some excellent support services in Nottingham for people facing homelessness, and today I was pleased to attend the official opening of new accommodation for single homeless people.

Sixteen people supported by Framework have moved into new one-bed flats at Mechanics House off Mansfield Road. Framework staff will be on-site for 24 hours a day to manage the building and provide specialist support to the residents, focused towards successful long-term resettlement.

The City Council has provided ?500,000 using contributions it receives from developers towards the scheme, with funding from Homes England and Framework making up the total of just over ?2 million. Framework provide a range of important services supporting some of the most vulnerable people in Nottingham.?The?quality new facility?will be vital in tackling homelessness and?help provide?better outcomes for people with complex needs. It was officially opened earlier today by Sir John Peace, Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire and Patron for Framework.

We received exciting news this week that the Commonwealth Games Birmingham 2022 Queen?s Baton Relay will visit Nottingham this summer. The baton will travel the length and breadth of England for 29 days, before reaching the Games' opening ceremony on 28 July.

On Sunday 10 July, during its time in Nottinghamshire, the Queen?s Baton Relay will visit Trent Bridge Cricket Ground for the international against India, and will experience a kayak journey along the Nottingham and Beeston Canal, before travelling through the famous network of caves to Nottingham Castle. The chosen Community Batonbearer is Amdani Juma. Many congratulations to him and for his incredible hard work in the city and beyond.

More details on how to see the Baton as it makes its way to the city will be released in due course. Find out more

We discussed the Windrush scandal at full council this week and there was cross-party, unanimous support for a motion which called for Government to take action to give support and justice to victims of this terrible national injustice. I have written to the Home Secretary to make the views of Nottingham councillors clear.

Many of the Windrush Generation, some living in Nottingham, have suffered through the Home Office?s failure to keep detailed records of arrivals in the UK from Caribbean countries post-war. They should never have had to prove they had the right to live and work in a country they have called home for as long as they can remember, or face deportation in some cases.

The council has confirmed it will continue to hold an annual civic event to commemorate the Windrush Generation on 22 June, pledged ongoing support for members of the Windrush Generation living in Nottingham and agreed to call on the Government to help advice agencies to gain justice for all Nottingham residents affected by the Windrush scandal. More here.

I am so please that Active Nottingham have been selected by ukactive as finalists in their 2022 Award Finalists. They have been shortlisted in three categories:

• Regional Club of the Year (Harvey Hadden Sports Village)
• Activation Award (recognising organisations who run events to inspire and encourage people to be more active)
• Physical Activity Hero Award (Charmaine Daley with This Girl Can Nottingham)

Charmaine Daley will go head to head with other finalists in a public vote for Physical Activity Hero Award. Charmaine has been involved in This Girl Can Nottingham since 2015 and more recently involved as the community motivator role, empowering and inspiring thousands of women to enjoy moving through exercise.

You can find out more about Charmaine and the other finalists here (look for Physical Activity Hero Award)and I?d encourage all to vote for our local hero.

For membership details and to join Active Nottingham, head over to www.activenottingham.com/BeYourBest