Inflation skyrocketed to 9% in April this year, due to rising food and energy prices. This is the largest increase in 40 years and this year food prices could rise even further by an estimated 15% or more. The resolution foundation has found that a third of households will have to cut back on essentials and 48% of children will live in households without a decent minimum standard of living. The cost of living crisis shows no signs of slowing down and is impacting the poorest in society the most, but is now affecting most families in the city.

All this is driving many families into debt as they seek to cover the cost of the essentials. If you are worried about money ? and lots of people in our city are right now ? it always helps to get advice as early as possible. You may find the following organisations helpful,

• StepChange a national charity can help you with free debt advice and resources to get back on track, as well as providing support. Find out more here
• Citizens Advicehave a Nottingham office and can help with many issues including debt
• Money Saving Expert website has lots of advice and guidance on saving money and tackling debt
• Nottingham City Council?s Welfare Rights Service provide advice and support.

Over 57,000 payments have now been made to households? with established direct debits for Council Tax payment. There are some exceptions which are being worked through.

The next step is to process payments for those who pay their Council Tax by another method, meaning we don?t already hold their bank details. From next week, letters will start to go out to these householders asking for bank account details to enable us to make payments. A short term phone line will be available to manage queries and to assist anyone who needs it. It is anticipated that all these payments will have been made by 20th August. At that point, if the resident has not been in contact we will credit the payment to the Council Tax account in line with the scheme guidelines.

The council?s ?Big Spring Clean? has brought together council staff and community volunteers to target local areas and make them nicer. We all want to see positive changes where we live ? cleaner streets, less dog mess, fly-tipped rubbish and graffiti.? The Big Spring Clean is a great opportunity to pool resources and make a difference.?

I?ve taken part in several litter picks in my ward (Sherwood) and it was wonderful to meet local residents who are generously giving up their time to work alongside our fantastic street-cleansing staff in making sure Nottingham is a city to be proud of.

Further litter picks over the next week are;

• Saturday 11 June - Sherwood Litter Pick - meet at Winchester Street car park at 11am
• Sunday 12 June - Snape Wood Nature reserve, located next to Snape Wood Community Centre, Snape Wood Road, NG6 7GH at 11am
• Thursday 16 June - Forest Recreation Ground - meet at Pavilion building next to Homemade cafe at 10am.

Come along, meet your neighbours and help make your neighbourhood nicer for everyone.

The council?s ?Big Spring Clean? has brought together council staff and community volunteers to target local areas and make them nicer. We all want to see positive changes where we live ? cleaner streets, less dog mess, fly-tipped rubbish and graffiti.? The Big Spring Clean is a great opportunity to pool resources and make a difference.?

I?ve taken part in several litter picks in my ward (Sherwood) and it was wonderful to meet local residents who are generously giving up their time to work alongside our fantastic street-cleansing staff in making sure Nottingham is a city to be proud of.

Further litter picks over the next week are;

• Saturday 11 June - Sherwood Litter Pick - meet at Winchester Street car park at 11am
• Sunday 12 June - Snape Wood Nature reserve, located next to Snape Wood Community Centre, Snape Wood Road, NG6 7GH at 11am
• Thursday 16 June - Forest Recreation Ground - meet at Pavilion building next to Homemade cafe at 10am.

Come along, meet your neighbours and help make your neighbourhood nicer for everyone.

Since 2008, people from across the UK have celebrated Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month, with celebrations, education and efforts to raise awareness of their histories and experiences. Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month helps to tackle prejudice, challenge myths and to amplify the voices of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people and their contribution to communities right across the country.

This year, the theme for the History month is ?What Makes a Home? ? we are asking people across Nottingham to consider ?what makes a home? for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people and how we can all do more to better understand and engage with Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities. Find out more about the history month here

There are over 40 jobs currently available here at Nottingham City Council, from Swimming Instructors and LGV drivers to Housing Aid advisors and Care Assistants, plus so many more.

• View all our current vacancies
• See our teaching vacancies
• See other vacancies supporting our schools

We particularly want to hear from you if you are from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic community, identify within the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community (LGBT) and if you are Disabled - these groups of people are underrepresented in our workforce, and we?d like to reflect our local population more through our recruitment processes.