I’m really happy to share with you that work has begun in Sherwood to replace our streetlights with LED versions. It’s just one of the projects that we’re working on to make our neighbourhoods better places to live (see more below).

We’ve successfully bid for £7m from the Government’s Levelling Up fund, which will be used to replace 34,000 conventional lanterns with LED alternatives. These will use less energy – helping to lower carbon emissions, reduce maintenance costs and provide the best long-term street lighting for Nottingham.

More here

I’m delighted that the latest bid for City Central Safer Streets funding has been successful. The city will benefit from a share of the £3m secured through the Office of Nottinghamshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner. This additional funding will enable partnership delivery of a range of measures designed to tackle acquisitive crime, anti-social behaviour, and improve the safety of women and girls in our city.

Bestwood, Hyson Green and Arboretum and Radford are all benefitting from this particular round of funding. Our partnership can now build on work that was delivered during previous Safer Streets projects and improve the city as a place to live, work and socialise. More here

It’s fantastic to see that 40 organisations across the city have pledged their support for Nottingham’s ambition to be carbon neutral by 2028. Businesses contribute around 20% of the city’s carbon emissions, so we need their support if we are to reach our target.

Taking action to tackle the climate crisis can bring a range of benefits to organisations, including reduced bills, better resilience and improved health and wellbeing of employees. I would like to encourage even more businesses to make a commitment to reduce their carbon emissions and support Nottingham to become a greener city.

Find out more and get involved

This week, we are celebrating Nottingham’s Green Flag Awards success, with a total of 71 flags - the most for any council outside of London. The award is the international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

After two years that have seen Nottingham’s parks and green spaces play a vital role for people through lockdowns as a place to relax, exercise and meet friends and family safely, the news that the City Council has achieved the Green Flag Awards is testament to the hard work and dedication of the team, both staff and volunteers, that make the city’s parks and green spaces a great space that everyone can enjoy. More here

Nottingham is at the beginning of a journey to be recognised as a Child Friendly City by UNICEF UK. To help us on the way, we want to better understand how much people know about supporting children and young people’s rights.

Please take a few minutes to fill in this online survey about children’s rights.

There are no wrong answers. In completing this survey, you are supporting Nottingham’s Child Friendly City journey and enabling an understanding of our collective knowledge and opinions on children’s rights. You can find out more about our Child Friendly City work at www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/childfriendlynottingham

Last night the Commonwealth Games got underway in Birmingham with a glittering Opening Ceremony. With a host of athletes from Nottingham taking part, it’s sure to be an exciting two weeks. Good luck today to Freya Colbert, Georgia Holt and Kelsie Campbell:

• 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝘆𝗮 is representing Swim England (and Nottingham’s Nova Centurions Swim Team) and will be competing in the 400m individual medley
• 𝗚𝗲𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗮 is representing England in the Women's Tandem B Sprint
• 𝗞𝗲𝗹𝘀𝗶𝗲 is representing Jamaica in the 100m butterfly and has been training at Southglade Leisure Centre this week.

We hope the Games and these amazing Nottingham athletes will inspire people to get active. If so, why not take part in the Active Nottingham Move 22 Miles Challenge or take up a great Active Nottingham membership offer that’s celebrating the Games - pop into your local Active Nottingham leisure centre or visit: www.activenottingham.com/offers/

Today we’ve unfurled our 60ft St George flag on the Council House to show support for the Lionesses ahead of their Euro 2022 final against Germany on Sunday.

They’ve been fantastic during this tournament on home soil - but this is more than just an incredible sporting occasion. Win or lose, the team has created a lasting legacy, further elevating women’s football on the national and international stage, while boosting participation among women and girls. They should rightly be very proud of what they’ve achieved.

Meanwhile in the men’s game, I’m pleased that the planning committee at Rushcliffe Borough Council yesterday approved an application from Nottingham Forest to redevelop the Peter Taylor Stand. It’s great news ahead of the club’s return to the Premier League after more than two decades.