Insight

There's plenty to get excited about in this issue of Hull in print - great stories about local people contributing to life in the city. Take the story on page 18 about the work of dancer Jon Beney with pupils at Kingswood High School. Jon's a local lad who was all set for a career as a rugby league professional until a head injury forced him to change his plans. But did he give up? No - he learned new skills as a dancer and now he's back in the city inspiring kids and helping them take a fresh approach to their studies.

On page 27 you can read about Yvonne Mainprize: when a stroke left her paralysed Yvonne kept going and rebuilt her life. And now she's putting something back into the community as a volunteer.

And then there are the entrepreneurs on page 28: people with vision and imagination who are using their skills to make their way in life, creating employment and adding to the local economy.

Stories like these stories of grit, determination and imagination are what make Hull people great. They're amongst the reasons why I'm proud to be leader of Hull City Council, and why I'm so committed to our pledge to improve people's lives.

Which leads me onto our 40 promises to the people of Hull. In this issue of Hull in print we've provided a full report on the progress we're making. And in most cases that progress is very good. But it has to be better still.

Our housing service has been singled out as needing particular attention - and we have to improve. Why do we have to improve? Not simply to satisfy government targets, or to push us up local authority ratings, but to give the people of Hull the services they deserve.

Just like the people who've told their stories in this issue of Hull in print - we'll keep on pushing to make life better.

Like them, we won't give up.

Cllr. Ken Branson
Leader Hull City Council