Positive goals for Hull

The excellent start made by Hull City AFC, and the football team's new-found Premier League status, is putting Hull on the map for all the right reasons.
I have been receiving media enquiries and requests for television interviews from the USA, Germany, Finland and Iceland, as well as from London-based news agencies, and it's all down to the Tigers' exploits on the pitch.
Football is generating a new sense of civic pride and now the rest of the world is hearing about the good things our city has to offer.
No matter how the results go until end of the season, or what the team's final league position, I'm sure everyone will join me in showing their pride in the club and continuing to offer a warm welcome to visiting fans.
Setting and achieving goals is at the heart of sport, and as Christmas and the New Year approach, I'm sure many Hull residents will be setting a few goals and resolutions of their own.
My resolution will be to recycle more of my household waste, and I hope all local people do the same, to help our city become as famous for its commitment to recycling bottles, cans, plastics, newspapers and other waste as it currently is for its progress on the football field.
You can find tips for recycling household waste over Christmas on page 19.
Meanwhile, as the country faces an economic downturn, Hull has been dealt a body blow with the loss of jobs in the caravan industry.
I will do all I can to ensure Hull City Council works with its partners throughout the city to see if we can help the skilled workers affected find new employment in the area.
Despite the difficult economic climate, there are still opportunities for local entrepreneurs to find success, as the feature on pages 10 and 11 – about a local company which produces fashionable wellies – clearly shows.
Finally, may I remind all our readers that this is a special issue to cover both December and January, and so the next Hull in print to be delivered through your door will be in February.
I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year.

Cllr Carl Minns
Leader, Hull City Council