Pearson Park plans

The city's first-ever public park is the subject of a new funding bid that, if successful, will see it restored to its former glory.
The Trustees of Pearson Park are in the process of putting a bid into the Heritage Lottery Fund to bring the park back to its Victorian splendour.
The plans, entitled 'Forward with the Past,' include the restoration of the main entrance gates, a Victorian bandstand, a new cricket style pavilion, children's educational facility and possibly a small shop.
Trustees chairman Cllr John Fareham said: "Its Hull's original, historic park and it's fair to say it's the one that is closest to how it was when first developed.
"The plans are designed to show how a traditional park can be run with modern sustainable awareness."
The plans will be subject to a public consultation process which will begin shortly.

Boost for play

Children and young people in Preston Road now have more play opportunities – thanks to a £249,843 cash boost from the Big Lottery Fund.
The cash will provide new play facilities and extra staff at the Planet Play centre, near Foredyke Primary School.
The centre, run by Child Dynamix, aims to steer children away from anti-social behaviour and into safe and adventurous forms of play.
Currently with 150 junior members, it has a large indoor play area with crash mats where 5 to 14-year-olds can go for 'rough and tumble' and to let off steam.
"The grant will help us develop our passion for play and create better childhood experiences for children," says centre manager Naomi Bedworth.
Meanwhile, the centre is also set to receive funding from the Hull Children's Fund which is a fund managed by Hull City Council.
For more information please visit www.childdynamix.co.uk

Partners in employment

Hull City Council has pledged its support to a partnership that will help residents secure employment.
The council made its commitment to the Local Employment Partnership with Jobcentre Plus at a signing event attended by 40 local companies at the KC Stadium.
The council will work with Jobcentre Plus and other agencies to target those most in need of help, such as lone parents and those on incapacity benefit, and consider measures ranging from work experience placements to reviewing their recruitment processes.
Among other companies and organisations which attended the launch event were Asda, Argos, Village Hotels, Continental Landscapes, Humberside Fire and Rescue, Humberside Police, Kcom, East Riding Council, North Lincolnshire Council, Arvarto, Croda, Chem Dry, Hica, and Stagecoach.
www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk

A wonderful website

Children and young people themselves helped design the website

Each and every one of Hull's 57,000 children and young people can receive help and support from a new website which is being launched in April.
The website, entitled "Clued Up," provides a wide range of support for young surfers including tips on how to lead safer and healthier lives, and how to do well at school.
The council-led website is being launched under the One Hull partnership after young people themselves came up with the idea.
The website will be live at www.cluedupinhull.co.uk from April 1.

Postal voting

Hull residents who have not yet been able to move back into their own homes following last summer's floods can still vote in May's local government elections.
Postal votes are available for people who may temporarily have had to move outside the city or who may not be able to get to their local polling station on May 1.
If you are a registered voter you can apply to vote by post and you will not have to give a reason.
To get your postal vote application form, call Hull City Council Electoral Services on 300300.
You should return your completed forms by April 16.

Sign it

Hollywood actor Ioan Gruffudd (left) and director Michael Apted (centre) are among celebrities who have also signed the petition

Hull primary school pupils and their parents can help make slavery a thing of the past – and be in with a chance of winning computers for their school.
As part of a new campaign called 'Sign it', pupils and parents are being encouraged to collect as many signatures as they can for the Wilberforce petition to end modern slavery.
The school that collects the most signatures - relative to the total number of pupils - will win an IT suite of 10 desktop computers, while the individual pupil who collects the most signatures will win a personal lap top.
The campaign is being run by Hull City Council in conjunction with radio station KCFM.
For more information on the fight against modern slavery please visit www.wilberforce2007.com

Grants available

Voluntary and community groups and charitable trusts can now apply for grants from a Government fund.
About £250,000 is available for Hull from the Grassroots Grants Programme, from a £180 million pot for the whole country.
It is hoped third sector organisations, who have a track record in applying for, receiving and managing grants and funds, will apply for a share of the £250,000 to bring as much of it as possible to the city.
"This is a fantastic opportunity to receive extra financial help and I hope voluntary and community sector organisations in Hull grab it with both hands," said Maxine Hunter, Hull City Council's voluntary sector officer.
For more information please call Cara MacDowall on 0207 812 5444 or visit www.cdf.org.uk.
The closing date for applications is 30 April 2008.

New parking fines

Changes to parking fines will be introduced at the end of this month.
The new charges, which will come into force on Sunday March 31 at 00:01am, are part of national guidelines set out by the Department of Transport.
Currently, when a parking penalty charge notice is issued, a flat fine of £60 is handed to motorists, discounted to £30 if paid within 14 days. But under the new rules lower and higher bands of charges will be created.
The lower band - for minor infringements such as parking in a controlled bay without a ticket - carries a £50 fine, reduced to £25 if paid within 14 days.
The higher band - for more serious infringements such as parking in a disabled parking bay without displaying a valid badge - carries a £70 fine reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days.
For more information on parking charges please visit www.hullcc.gov.uk