Hull in print

Hull motorists and bus passengers are gearing up to travel in a greener environment – thanks to a city-wide tree planting scheme.
East Yorkshire Motor Services (EYMS) is providing funding for trees to be planted along Hull's major bus routes.
The work is being carried out in partnership with a regional woodland project the HEYwoods Initiative, Hull City Council, East Riding of Yorkshire Council and the Forestry Commission.
Maple, ash and lime saplings are now establishing themselves in Anlaby High Road, west Hull, and more planting will follow.
"This is a long term project to improve the environment and I'm sure road users and residents will welcome it," says Tim Beckley, Hull City Council's urban forestry officer who is leading the tree planting work.
For more information visit www.heywoods.org.uk

Crime-fighting cash boost

A Hull-based crime prevention charity, which teaches children about the negative effects of prison life, has received a £25,000 grant to support its work for the next three years.
The No Way Trust, also known as Prison! Me! No Way!, will work with1,500 children in 75 Hull primary schools thanks to funding from Hull City Council's children and young people's services.
Hull prison officers have set up and run the scheme to address the increasing number of young people wasting their lives by committing crimes which lead to imprisonment.
The No Way Trust teaches children about the reality of life behind bars but also encourages them to adopt positive lifestyles so they do not go on to commit crime or antisocial behaviour.
For information on the No Way Trust visit www.pmnw.co.uk

The number's up

Residents affected by last summer's flooding can now direct their queries to the council's 300300 call centre.
The dedicated Flood Advice Service number - 300310 - has ceased, as of April 1, as demand for information and advice has decreased.
Flood-related enquiries are now being handled by the call centre, however, more complex issues will still be referred to specialist flood case workers.
"As more and more people move back into their homes, we've found that the 300310 number is taking less calls," said David Gibson, the council's assistant chief executive responsible for flood recovery.
"But the Flood Advice Service will continue to help people to rebuild their lives in whichever way it can."
The Flood Advice Service was praised by the National Flood Forum as "an incredible initiative" when it was set up last September – and since then has handled more than 11,900 calls.

Voice of the people

Hull City Council is set to recruit 5,000 residents from across the city to form a citizens' panel which will help make Hull an even better place to live.
Panel members will be contacted three or four times a year and asked their views on council services and initiatives - so that improvements can be made in the right areas.
The panel will be as representative as possible of the demographic make up of Hull as a whole - to ensure the broadest range of views are heard.
Already more than 18,000 letters and information packs have been sent to residents outlining how they can get involved.
To apply to become a panel member, please complete an application form at www.hullcc.gov.uk or call 300300 for more details.

Digging for gold

It's time for green-fingered Hull residents, of all ages and abilities, to get ready for a city-wide competition to show off their gardening prowess.
Hull in Bloom is open to all residents as well as schools, community groups, allotment holders, public houses and commercial premises within the city boundary.
There are a number of categories to enter such as best garden, best planted container or hanging basket, and the best wildlife garden.
Judges look not just for horticultural skills but also imagination, originality and, above all, enthusiasm.
The best entries are put forward for an awards evening which takes place at Hull City Hall.
The closing date for entering the competition is June 30.
For more information, visit www.hullcc.gov.uk or call 300300.

Tackling abuse issues

A poster campaign aimed at encouraging older people to speak out about abuse is being launched in Hull this month.
The abuse, ranges from verbal, physical and sexual abuse to denying elderly people the care they need.
The poster, produced by the Safeguarding Adults Board of Hull and East Yorkshire, aims to raise awareness of the issue and help to prevent future incidents occurring.
The board is funded by Hull City Council, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Hull Teaching Primary Care Trust, East Yorkshire Primary Care Trust and Humberside Police.
If you or someone you know is being abused you can report it by phoning 300300.

Can you help?

Do you want to help improve local services and make a difference in the local community?
Do you have skills in any of the following areas: education, health, community safety, transport, the environment or the economy?
If so, you could become a scrutiny co-optee at Hull City Council.
The role, for a few hours each month, involves working with councillors in these key areas to help solve problems and review policies and procedures.
Co-optees also help by making sure there is more public involvement in shaping the important decisions made by the council.
For more information contact Cherie Wiles on 300300 or email scrutiny@hullcc.gov.uk or visit www.hullcc.gov.uk and type 'scrutiny' in the search facility.

Business base

A new community centre has been launched to help minority groups develop long-term financial stability through social enterprise.
The Community Enterprise Centre, on Cottingham Road, provides offices, meeting spaces and a support network for a range of minority groups, including black and minority ethnic, gypsy and traveller, and LBGT (lesbian, bisexual, gay and trans-sexual).
Part-funded by Hull City Council, the centre opened last autumn with events intended to promote links with local businesses and communities.
"It's as exciting opportunity for local community groups to expand, and also to co-operate with each other," said project assistant Kerry Smith.
For more information call 441002.

Have your say

The public is being invited to have a say on which areas of land in the Hull area could be used as sites for waste recycling facilities.
A new document, called 'The Joint Waste Development Plan,' outlines the issues and options surrounding the development of various sites for managing different types of waste, including household, commercial and demolition waste.
And the public can view the document, and give comments about it, by visiting either www.hullcc.gov.uk or www.eastriding.gov.uk during a six-week consultation period, which ends this month.
The document is also available at customer service centres and libraries, where feedback forms are also available.
Responses will be used to write a 'preferred option' document to be released later this year.

Alfred Bowd

Former Lord Mayor of Hull Alfred Bowd passed away last month.
He was first elected to Hull City Council in 1968 and served the city for 34 years before retiring in 2002.
Over the years he was a councillor for both the Marfleet and Southcoates wards, becoming Lord Mayor in 1986 and an Honorary Alderman in 2002.
He served on several council committees including housing, cultural services and environmental health and licensing.
He was also an ex-president of the National Association of Sea and Air Port Health Authorities and a school governor for Estcourt and Mountbatten primary schools.
In his working life he served in the Royal Navy and the Merchant Navy and later worked for BP Chemicals at Salt End.
His interests included a deep appreciation of the history of Hull, and as a councillor, he was respected as a man of integrity.

Outdoor adventure

Two Hull schools will be among 250 from across the country taking part in an outdoor adventure competition.
Frederick Holmes School in Inglemire Lane and Pickering High School in west Hull are competing in the Fieldfare Kielder Challenge, in which young people with disabilities and able-bodied pupils work alongside each other.
The event challenges teenagers to overcome physical and mental problem-solving tasks.
The schools are competing in the regional heat with the chance of winning through to the final at Kielder Forest and Kielder Water in Northumberland in September.
The Fieldfare Trust is a charity which promotes disabled access to the countryside.
For more details please visit www.fieldfare.org.uk .


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