A new leader presenting a new direction for the City Council is daunting for everyone concerned.

Firstly, I would like to pay tribute to my predecessor Paul James, who has made huge strides in delivering regeneration and at the same time helping to show off history and heritage. These have both delivered huge improvements in visitor numbers, who contribute to the economic health of the city. Without Paul’s vision and passion, much of this would never have happened.

Whilst Paul’s drive to deliver property and economic regeneration will be maintained, new challenges are becoming very evident, namely the environment. Climate change, reducing bio-diversity, environmental degradation and air quality are all issues which are concerning increasing numbers of people.

Sustainability is a vital factor in future developments

Our drive for economic growth, which we strive to ensure will deliver improvements to all in the city, must come with sustainability at its core.

Recycling rates in the city have risen from 4% in 2004 to 47% this year and we expect our recent contract changes with the City Council’s recycling contractor will drive rates up further, as well as improving the quality of the recycling, leading to better prices.

Schemes have been introduced to reduce littering in the city and I feel they have been a success because the city centre appears much cleaner.

We have ambitious schemes being considered in the city to supply renewable energy, potentially, directly to industrial premises, perhaps to battery storage to provide charging points for electric vehicles or perhaps directly into the grid.

We are looking at plans to plant thousands of trees around the city, some because they will grow quickly, sucking tonnes of carbon dioxide out of the air, and then they can be used as biomass to produce energy, and some because they provide shade and beauty.

But we mustn’t forget that the city can do nothing in isolation. We must remember that we have to work in a coherent and coordinated fashion with our neighbours and the wider world. And more importantly we have to make sure that all our citizens are on board with our plans.

If we don’t ALL do this together, success may elude us.