How would Nottingham be different if children had more control over decision making? That?s precisely what we?re trying to find out.

Nottingham is currently in the Discovery phase of the three-to-five-year journey to become a Child Friendly City (CFC), supported with funding from Small Steps Big Changes (SSBC). Our aim is that children and young people can actively influence the decisions being made within the city.?

Next week, 15 November, we will host around 80 children and young people at a Discovery Day with UNICEF UK. We will be asking the children what they like and don?t like about Nottingham, as well as understanding their ideas for how the city can improve.

The views of the young people will help us to identify the key priorities for Nottingham?s Child Friendly City programme to deliver. This means the young people themselves are developing the goals (known as our CFC Priority Badges) that we will work towards to make Nottingham a Child Friendly City. This is local democracy in action.

For more information about the project please visit here or contact Eky Ghansah, Nottingham?s Child-Friendly City Lead at [email protected]??

Today we held a service on the steps of the Council House to mark Armistice Day. Nottingham City Councillors including the Deputy Leader Cllr Adele Williams, Lord Mayor Cllr Wendy Smith and Sheriff of Nottingham Cllr Nicola Heaton joined the Lord Mayor?s Chaplain Rev Peter Shaw and Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire Tom Huggon and members of the public to pay their respects to those who have bravely fought and lost their lives for this country.

On Sunday I?ll be attending the traditional Remembrance Service at the city?s war memorial on Victoria Embankment. The ceremony will begin at 10.45am and include the two-minute silence and wreath laying. The Nottinghamshire Band of The Royal Engineers (volunteers), accompanied by the Nottingham Hospitals? Choir will provide music for the service.

Members of the public wishing to pay their respects and observe the ceremony are very welcome.?

A copy of Sunday?s Order of Service can be downloaded here: https://bit.ly/RemembranceOrderOfService

On Sunday afternoon I?ll also be at a Remembrance event on Greens Mill Park. The event will include readings from different members of the local community and a two minute silence. The event will start at 2pm and all are welcome to join us. ?

The Royal Concert Hall is celebrating its 40^th anniversary this month and on Saturday there?s a free open day taking place to mark the occasion.

The inaugural concert at the new venue, with its ground-breaking design and innovative acoustics, was by none other than Sir Elton John back in November 1982. Since then, the council-owned Royal Concert Hall has become renowned for hosting the very best in entertainment, from leading orchestras, pop and rock stars, and West End musicals, to stand-up comedy, family shows and community events.

The Open Day tomorrow takes place from 10am to 2pm, including backstage tours, street theatre, drumming workshops, face painting, and hip-hop dance and music demonstrations. Simply turn up!

More here