Better quality of life

Welcome to your March edition of Hull in print.
This month you can read about a new and highly-visible way of fighting crime, dealing with criminals, and restoring people's confidence and trust in the criminal justice system.
It's called 'Community Pay Back' and as part of the scheme, ex-offenders will wear bright orange tabards and carry out unpaid work – such as collecting litter and removing graffiti – in full view of everyone to show that justice is being done.
Hull is one of only 40 areas across the country taking part in the initiative and you can play a direct part by suggesting areas of the city where they can work and the kinds of work they can do.
You can read more about the scheme on pages 12 and 13.
Reducing crime and the fear of crime leads to a better quality of life for Hull residents, but at the forefront of many people's minds at the moment is the effect the credit crunch is having on the local job market.
Unemployed people are finding it hard to get into work and that is why a new job creation scheme is so important for the city.
The Local Work Guarantee (LWG) scheme aims to create 900 long term jobs by paying wage subsidies to employers of £100 a week for 52 weeks for each new member of staff they take on.
I think it's a great idea and will help our companies and firms compete through these tough times.
To read more about the LWG project and other sources of help for job seekers turn to pages 14 and 15.
Meanwhile, Hull has a sport and active recreation strategy to enable more people to make exercise a regular part of their daily routine.
I try to do my bit by cycling to the Guildhall for meetings as often as possible because commuting by bike is healthier and greener than going by car.
To find out how the strategy could benefit you, turn to pages 16 and 17.

Cllr Carl Minns
Leader, Hull City Council