Hull Council

Tenants in homes owned by Hull City Council owe the authority a record high of £3.2m in rent, it's been revealed.

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Before the first coronavirus lockdown began in March, a combined £2.5m was owed by tenants.

Meanwhile, the total number of tenants owing rent to Hull City Council has risen from 9,409 in September to 9,470 now, councillors have been told.

The latest figures have emerged ahead of bailiffs once again being able to enforce evictions from Monday 11 January, with actions expected to begin on Monday 25 January following two weeks' notice.

Bailiffs were barred from enforcing evictions during the second national Covid lockdown except in the most serious cases.

A Hull City Council spokesperson said the authority would continue to support all those in need of shelter and accommodation once limits are lifted.

The families of thousands of Hull’s poorest children are set to receive £15 vouchers to cover free school meals over Christmas.

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Hull City Council has unveiled plans to give the vouchers to the families of about 12,500 children eligible for free school meals during the holidays.

Parents will be asked to confirm a supermarket of their choice by text or email before a voucher is then posted to them.

It comes as the council previously reimbursed free school meal families with £10 vouchers to cover the cost of food during October half-term.

Volunteers are being sought to help turn a derelict Hull cinema which was bombed during World War Two into a national memorial.

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The National Picture Theatre on Beverley Road, was hit by German bombs in 1941, leaving just the facade.

Work is under way to turn it into a memorial and education centre covering civilian life in the city during the war.

Councillor Darren Hale said the site was "incredibly important to Hull".

Two busy roads in Hull are to be partially closed as resurfacing works take place from today.

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Hessle Road and Anlaby Road are undergoing the work, which will see a full closure on Hessle Road between Coltman Street and Marmaduke Street.

Anlaby Road will see day and night closures with some parts of the carriageway still be open for access, the council said.

The Hessle Road work is due to last until February 2021, with the Anlaby Road work finishing in March.

Hull City CouncilCopyright: Hull City Council

Councillor Daren Hale, from Hull City Council, said: “We understand that over the next six months there will some congestion as these critical works take place, but this is why we are undertaking them in phases so that we can minimise disruption.

“The works are taking place outside of the city centre, demonstrating the council’s overall commitment to expanding Hull’s transport network by investing in schemes to repair worn road surfaces.”

Full details of the road closures are available on the Hull City Council website.

Hull City CouncilCopyright: Hull City Council

More police officers will be in Hull city centre this weekend as pubs and restaurants begin to reopen after many closed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

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Hull City Council and Humberside Police are urging visitors to the city centre to act responsibly and adhere to social distancing rules.

Public health messages are also being put up across the city.

Many shops, pubs and restaurants closed in March as restrictions were placed on people because of the pandemic.

But now, as lockdown restrictions are eased, some pubs and bars are reopening from Saturday with social distancing measures in place.

Ch Supt Darren Downs said: "We will have additional officers out in the city centre to help keep everyone safe and make sure that as the restrictions are eased and more people head out to socialise together it’s an enjoyable occasion for all.

"The vast majority of people in this area have been really good at adhering to the guidelines that have been put in place to limit the spread of Covid-19 and I believe that people will continue to behave responsibly as the restrictions are eased."

Shops and organisations in Hull are being asked to work together to create a safe space for people coming into the city as the coronavirus pandemic continues.

Hull City CouncilCopyright: Hull City Council

From Monday, the government is allowing some non-essential shops to reopen, with towns and cities preparing to welcome visitors.

In anticipation, Hull City Council is working with businesses to safely reopen with social distancing reminders placed across the city centre.

Businesses have also been given a "tool kit" including floor stickers and posters asking customers to remain a safe distance, the council said.

Hull City CouncilCopyright: Hull City Council

A number of buildings in Hull city centre were bathed in purple light last night in a "statement against racism", Hull City Council has said.

Hull City CouncilCopyright: Hull City Council

The illuminations were in memory of George Floyd, who died after being arrested by police in Minneapolis, Minnesota on 25 May. Footage of the arrest shows a white police officer kneeling on Mr Floyd's neck while he was pinned to the floor.

His death sparked global protests against racism and police brutality through the Black Lives Matter campaign.

Councillor Steve Wilson, Hull’s Lord Mayor, said: “Hull is a multi-cultural city and we are united with those across the world who are struggling against racism and other forms of prejudice.

“Reflecting our proud status as a City of Sanctuary, in illuminating our buildings, we join George Floyd’s family in their sentiment of peaceful protest and will continue to stand against any kind of prejudice.”

Hull City CouncilCopyright: Hull City Council

Seven Hull buildings have been classed as "at risk" in the council’s latest register of listed sites in the city.

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Hull City Council’s annual Listed Buildings At Risk register found four of the buildings were in a poor, very poor or ruined condition.

One is currently being restored, while another is in fair condition and one more requires repairs to preserve it for the future, according to the register.

The buildings include:

• The Strand, Brunswick Avenue
• George Lamb Memorial Chapel, Lambert Street (pictured)
• Hennebique concrete works, Caroline Street
• East Lodge, Pearson Park
• National Picture Theatre, Beverley Road
• Hydraulic Tower and Pump House, St Andrews Dock
• Castle Buildings, Castle Street

Adam Fowler, former chair of Hull Civic Society, who helped to get some of the buildings listed, says they are a crucial part of the city’s heritage.

Mr Fowler says: "These buildings are listed not just because they have local significance. They have national architectural and historical importance.

"The best way to save them is to restore them and bring them back into use. Otherwise these buildings, which some of Hull’s most precious, will continue to decay."

Hull city centre has been cleaned and sprayed with disinfectant as it looks to reopen following coronavirus lockdown restrictions being eased.

Hull City CouncilCopyright: Hull City Council

Almost 7,000 litres of water has been used to clean shop fronts, street furniture and paths in Queen Victoria Square, Jameson Street and Elmbridge Parade, according to the council.

The authority says it has taken the steps as part of a trial to stagger the reopening of the city centre to the public.

Councillor Anita Harrison said: "We are taking steps to prepare the city centre for a staggered reopening to the public following government guidelines.

"By cleaning popular areas, we are aiming to reduce the spread of Covid-19 and reassuring residents the council is taking the appropriate measures to ensure the safety of the public."

The work took place this morning, with popular cycling routes also being cleaned.

The trial will be rolled out to more places "eventually", the council said, with all 52 shopping developments across the city also being cleaned.

A thank you note has been painted onto a Hull road to thank medical staff who are fighting coronavirus at a city hospital.

Hull City CouncilCopyright: Hull City Council

The markings have been painted outside the entrance to Hull Royal Infirmary and at the entrance to the hospital’s car park.

Hull City Council painted the thank you message, with contractors donating their fees to the NHS.