Hull in print

Residents in Gipsyville were treated to a free community day to find out more about how their estate works and have a say about its future.
The day had lots of fun activities including a bouncy castle, free prize bingo, and a prize draw, and there was also a rallying call for more people to get involved in running the local community. The day was organised by Hull City Council together with The Places for People Group, Community Wardens, Humberside Police, Sanctuary House, Pickering & Ferens Homes and Hull United Tenants' and Residents' Federation (HURAT).
A similar event will take place on Wednesday 23 July.
If you are a resident in the Gipsyville area and interested in getting involved in your community, please contact Allan Robins on 300300

Sharing success

Hull tenants have been finding out how the leading councils across the country work with their tenants to improve services. During a national conference, held at Manchester's Trafford Hall, tenant representatives from the Beacon authorties shared their experiences, but were also keen to learn from others. Beacon authorities are those which have achieved a three or more star rating from the Government. "Yet again we proved that tenant involvement in Hull is way ahead of many other local authorities," said Betty Peck, tenant representative from Hull who attended the conference.
"We shared our experiences but at the same time heard about many things that we could try."
Hull's Tenants' Housing Academy, the 13-week night school course in which tenants can learn about the city's housing service, attracted particular attention.
"We seem to be the only authority with a training idea as unique as the Tenants' Academy – lots of people wanted to know all about that," said Paul Reynolds, another Hull tenant representative who attended the conference.

For more information about tenant involvement call 300300 and ask for the tenant participation team

Tenant inspections

Tenants from the Hull United Residents' and Tenants' Federation (HURAT) have been asked by Hull City Council to undertake inspections of parts of its housing service. The annual inspections help the council to maintain good quality service.
Training is available for tenants who wish to take part. For more information please call Paul Reynolds or Rosemary Turner at HURAT 331313.

tenant news in brief

Tenants get mobile

Tenants are joining forces with the new contractors in the £189 million Decent Homes Programme and will be out in your area during the summer. This is your chance to meet the people delivering the repairs and maintenance work. Members of the Area Housing Boards and Tenant Participation Team will also be on hand to answer questions.
You can catch them at:

The Lord Mayors Gala, East Park on Saturday 16 June
Longhill One Stop Shop event on Saturday 23 June
The Bransholme Carnival on Saturday 14 July
Sankofa Sunsplash, Queens Gardens on Saturday 28 July
Oak Road on Friday 3 August

Tenants' Forum meetings

The Tenants' Forum is a group of tenants and residents from across the city who are dedicated to improving Hull Housing services.
The next meeting of the Forum is on Saturday 30 June, 10am-1pm, in the Guildhall.
This will be the Annual General Meeting of the Forum and elections will take place for the committee members.
The July meeting is on Thursday 26 July, 10am - 1pm, in the Guildhall.

For more information about the Tenants' Forum call 300300 and ask for the Tenant Participation Team

Blooming marvellous

I dig the look of your home - have you been gardening?

Left to right: Tony Dobson, Marilyn Axon, Marie Nayor and plant doctor Colin Bourne

Tenants have a responsibility to take care of their garden and make sure it is free from litter and not overgrown. And plenty of help is available. . .

Join the Portobello Bloomers

If you are a keen gardener, or just want to learn more try the Portobello Bloomers. Their gardening club is open for anyone in the city to join. Benefits include regular newsletters, special events and the chance to buy an interesting range of plants. They even have a 'plant doctor' on hand to help with handy tips.
Organised by the East Hull Centre for Horticulture, part of the Preston Road Neighbourhood Development Company, the gardening club has 400 members.
And it costs just £1 for a lifetime's membership.
For more information call the East Hull Centre for Horticulture on 790228.

Help with your allotment

For a small fee, the Allotment Project can help people with physical problems to do jobs on their allotments. The project can also provide plots with special raised beds for gardeners who have problems bending down to ground level. Transport can also be provided to and from the allotments.
For more information call The Allotment Project on 852292.

Help with grass-cutting

A free grass-cutting service is available for elderly and disabled tenants who are not physically capable of doing work in their gardens. If you need this service, please contact your local housing office or customer service centre.

Garden waste

Once all the hard work is finished a great way to recycle garden waste such as leaves, grass cuttings and hedge trimmings is by putting them in a home compost bin. Fruit and vegetable peelings and other types of household waste, including vacuum dust, ash, eggshells and tea bags can also be recycled in a home compost bin. Together the items decompose to make compost which can be used on garden soil to help plants grow. You can get one of these free by phoning 0845 077 0757 (quoting KUH04Flyer) or by visiting www.recyclenow.com/compost
Another way of disposing of unwanted garden waste is by putting it in garden waste bags. The bags can be emptied at, and are available from, any of the council's household waste and recycling centres which are at: Burma Drive, off Marfleet Lane, Wilmington, near Stoneferry Roundabout, and Wiltshire Road, Gipsyville.


< back	top ^