We have been looking at ways to make changes and savings within our libraries service and had considered options which would have seen the closure of three local libraries to the public. We are now able to consider proposals which would keep all libraries open but with some shortened opening times ? and with modifications at Aspley Library to also create a stock distribution and outreach hub.

This has become a possibility to consider because some savings have already been achieved through a staffing restructure in the libraries service, meaning only ?79,000 of savings were needed from the original ?233,000. Also strong public feedback against the closure proposals and emerging factors such as the important role of libraries during the cost-of-living crisis and as warm hubs, has allowed us to look again at how to achieve the necessary changes and savings.

The revised proposals will be considered at our Executive Board next week.

More information here

We passed a Motion at Full Council today that recognises that people who are or have been in care often face discrimination and stigma across housing, health, education, relationships, employment and in the criminal justice system. Sadly, care experienced people can sometime be refused employment, fail to succeed in education or face unfair judgements about their ability to parent when they have children and families of their own.

We have agreed that as a council we will treat them as if they have a Protected Characteristic. The aim of this is to help us to assess the impact of changes to policies and services on people with care experience. We will also actively seek out and listen to the voices of care experienced people to help us shape and develop new policies, as well as calling on other bodies, including the Government, to treat care experience as a Protected Characteristic.

Today is your last chance to have your say on plans for devolution for Nottingham, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, and Derby.

The consultation closes tonight (9 Jan) at midnight.

The deal, which offers the region a package of new powers and funding worth ?1.14 billion, or??38 million?a year over the next 30 years, has the potential to make a real difference to people?s lives.

Benefits of devolution include:

?More investment in our area

• Economic growth
• More and better jobs
• Better transport and skills training
• More housing
• An enhanced greener environment
• More power in local hands

Devolution would result in more important decisions could be taken in the East Midlands by people who know and understand the region, to bring benefits to people who live in, work in, or visit the area, to improve quality of life.

Devolution would create a new Combined County Authority, with a new directly elected regional mayor covering both counties and cities, with an election taking place in May 2024. Local councils would still exist as individual councils and would work together on a formal and legal basis to improve the region for our communities and businesses.

You can have your say on the consultation website ? www.eastmidlandsdevolution.co.uk

We still want to hear from people about our budget proposals for 2023/24.

There are two in-person public consultation meetings this week ? tomorrow at the Mary Potter Centre in Hyson Green and on Wednesday at Dales Library in Sneinton, along with an online meeting tomorrow ? all the details are available here. There is also the option to complete an online survey, while paper copies of the survey are available at all our libraries where you can also hand them in.

The proposals involve making savings of ?29m towards closing a ?32.2m budget gap and affect a number of different local services. They also involve a Council Tax increase of 4.99%. You can access the full report that outlines the proposals here.

Further information and translations are available from?[email protected].

We need everyone in Nottingham to support the city?s ambition to be carbon neutral by 2028.

Making environmentally friendly choices is easy thanks to Nottingham?s Green Rewards app. The app is full of helpful tips to help you reduce your carbon footprint, including travelling on public transport, eating plant-based meals, and using less single-use plastic.

When you log your green actions, you will be in with a chance to win brilliant prizes like a NCT bus pass, a NET tram pass, or a family ticket for the National Ice Centre! Users will also get a discount code for 15% off adult and group day tickets on NCT buses through the NCTX Buses app.

You can sign up now by visiting the website or by searching for ?Notts Green Rewards? in your device?s app store.