Hull people asked how to spend £20m on communities

23 hours ago

Grace McGroryin Hull

Manna Stephen says it is important for local people to have an input

BBC A woman smiling at the camera. She is wearing a brown jacket, glasses and her dark brown hair is tied back into a ponytail. She's standing in a car park and there is a modern-looking terrace of shops behind her. — Manna Stephen says it is important for local people to have an input

It will be down to local people, not politicians, to decide how £20m of government funding is spent in three communities in Hull, an MP has said.

The Hessle Road area, along with the Greatfield and Orchard Park estates, will receive £2m every year for 10 years to pay for long-term improvements, as part of a government fund called Pride in Place.

Members of the public are being encouraged to apply to chair neighbourhood boards that will co-ordinate the projects, with the roles starting in April.

Emma Hardy, MP for Hull West and Haltemprice, said: "I strongly encourage people, please, put yourself forward. You don't have to be interested in politics, you just have to care about this local area."

Residents and business owners in Hessle Road said it was important for local people to have their say.

Manna Stephen, 22, wanted to see money spent on better street lighting.

"We're the ones who live here. We should have some sort of input," she said.

Samantha Smith, from the Little Black Heart Boutique, says the money can make "a lot of difference"

A woman smiling at the camera. She has long blonde hair and is wearing a black blouse. She is standing in a clothes shop, the walls of which are painted pink. There is a rail with cream jumpers on the right, and a similar rail of brown blazer jackets to the left. She is standing in front of a wall with faux flowers on it. — Samantha Smith, from the Little Black Heart Boutique, says the money can make "a lot of difference"

Samantha Smith, 55, owns Little Black Heart Boutique on Hessle Road.

She said she wanted to see money spent on improved parking, a new indoor market and a celebration of the area's fishing heritage.

"It's really important that people who live on Hessle Road get to decide – not somebody in London that's never even visited, or doesn't know the problems or about the heritage," she added.

Dean Lancaster and his mum Patricia say it is a good idea to consult local people on where the money is spent

A man and a woman smiling at the camera. The woman, on the left, is wearing a cream bobble hat and a turquoise coat. The man, on the right, is wearing a green puffer jacket and a grey hat. They are standing in front of a car park and modern rows of shops. — Dean Lancaster and his mum Patricia say it is a good idea to consult local people on where the money is spent

Dean Lancaster, 64, and his mum Patricia, 88, said the money could be spent on improving how some of the buildings looked.

Refurbishments "would make it all look rather smart," Dean said.

Hardy said the the board for Boulevard and St Andrew's Quay, which includes Hessle Road, should be chaired by "somebody who cares passionately about this area".

"They need to be somebody who's from this area, someone who's got some time to put into it.

"Someone who's happy to go out and talk to people and ask them for their suggestions, ask them for their ideas," she added.

Councillor Ted Dolman, portfolio holder for communities at Hull City Council, said: "We're looking for someone really passionate about their area, who wants to see good changes made.

"Someone who is patient to listen to the public, to take account of their views and make sure that we are able to deliver on what they want."

Withernsea, Patrington and Bridlington, in East Yorkshire, are also due to get government cash under the programme.

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