As household costs continue to raise, it's not surprising that some people can start to feel overwhelmed about money. Now more than ever it's important that you make sure you?re getting any benefits you are entitled to, to help increase the amount of money you have coming in.

Almost ?20 million of benefits go unclaimed in Nottingham each year because people don?t know what they are entitled to, including benefits such as Pension Credit and help with Council Tax through the Council Tax Support Scheme.

You can check what you?re entitled to by using the online Benefits Calculator tool at www.asklion.co.uk/benefits.

If you?re a parent, you can also check what your child or children might be entitled to, like help with Free School Meals, Free School Milk, School Clothing Allowance and School Transport. If you?re pregnant or have a child under four, you may also be able to get help to buy healthy food and milk.

Further advice and online resources are available if you?re worried about money. Visit www.asklion.co.uk/money.

We know that not everyone has access to the internet. All City Libraries provide free access to computers with an internet connection. You?ll need to sign up as a library member to use them. You can also connect to the library Wi-Fi for free on your own electronic devices such as laptops and smartphones.

The 27^th United Nations climate change conference, COP27, began this week, and will see leaders from around the world meet in Egypt to discuss how to tackle the climate crisis collectively.

In January 2020, Nottingham declared a Climate and Ecological Emergency and has been working towards being the first carbon neutral city in the UK by 2028 (CN28). Great progress has been made to date, and the most recent data shows a 57.7% reduction in carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions per person since 2005.

Residents can support the city?s ambition by reducing their carbon footprint. The Notts Green Rewards app has lots of ideas to help you make sustainable choices, and you will be in with the chance of winning prizes each month. Many measures can also help people to save money ? in Nottingham we?ve worked hard to link this global challenge to the challenge lots of us have in paying our heating bills or getting to work in an affordable way. We have worked hard to build an integrated public transport system that is the best outside of London, built around our city-owned bus company and the tram and we have an extensive programme of insulating of our housing stock that is saving money on heating bills for those residents whilst also reducing carbon emissions.

Find out more about Nottingham?s journey to becoming a carbon neutral city by reading about some of the innovative projects we?re working on.

Take a look here

Active Nottingham leisure centre awarded top marks on ?Quest? for excellence

Active Nottingham?s Ken Martin Leisure Centre has been awarded ?Excellent? for its facilities and services, recognising high quality within UK Sport and Leisure. It joins Djanogly Community Leisure Centre at the top of the rankings for 2022.?

Quest is an industry standard developed by the UK Sports Council where assessors look at a range of factors including operational management and approaches to engaging with customers through to community outcomes.

I?m really pleased to see that two of our leisure centres have achieved these accolades especially as sport and physical activity can play a key role in people?s lives and communities; quality services are being provided in difficult circumstances to residents within Nottingham and it?s good to see that recognised.

Find out more here

You can join Active Nottingham Leisure Centres online, or visit one of our six leisure centres. If you?re already a member, you can refer a friend and receive one month free membership.

Armistice Day commemorates the ceasefire agreement signed between the Allies of World War I and Germany at Compi?gne. The day as usual will be marked on the 11^th of this month and as always there will be short Service of Remembrance taking place on the steps of the Council House which will include the minute silence at 11am.

I?m honoured to be taking part in the service this Friday and will be joining the Lord Mayor Councillor Wendy Smith, Sheriff of Nottingham Councillor Nicola Heaton, the Lord Mayor?s Chaplain Rev Peter Shaw and Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire Tom Huggon to pay our respects. Members of the public are very welcome to attend the event to remember those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

More here