Latest news with #MikeRoss
BBC News
17-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Hull City Council refuses statue of Labour 'giant' John Prescott
A memorial statue to honour politician and Labour Party "giant" Lord John Prescott has been refused at a full meeting of Hull City Council. The former deputy prime minister, deputy Labour leader, MP for Hull East and member of the House of Lords died on 20 November last was 86 years old and had been in a care home, living with Alzheimer's was first elected as MP for Hull East in 1970 and and was one of the city's longest-serving MPs, holding the seat for 40 years. Councillor Julia Conner raised the motion for the statue on Thursday. Concerns were raised about funding and the plans were rejected after a 26-26 tied vote. Lord Mayor Cheryl Payne cast the deciding vote. Funding had been requested from the council leader's capital budget, and for the statue to be placed in Prescott's former constituency. Council leader Mike Ross voted against the motion and said such a statue would cost "upward of £150,000". He questioned whether the public would feel it was "right to spend taxpayers' money on this proposal".Ross added: "That's not to say that John Prescott should not be commemorated... the question is how." 'Packed a punch' Conner said the statue would be a "typical Hull mark of respect for a working-class lad who made his way to the top of the politics, and who made his mark on the city and the world."He was a character... John's presence and style certainly packed a punch."Prescott was deputy leader of the Labour Party from 1994 to 2007 and deputy prime minister from 1997 to is remembered by many for punching a protester who threw an egg at him during the 2001 general election campaign. 'Working-class hero' Following Prescott's death, tributes were paid by former prime ministers. Sir Tony Blair said there was "no one quite like him in British politics". Gordon Brown called him a "working-class hero" and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hailed him a "true giant" of the Labour movement. Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Click here to download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and here to download the BBC News app from Google Play for Android devices.
BBC News
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Part of Rose Bowl in Hull's Queen's Gardens reopens
Part of a city centre park has reopened after a revamp.A section of the Rose Bowl in Hull's Queen's Gardens opened earlier following an "extensive refurbishment".The restoration of the area is part of the Hull Maritime project, which is overseeing the transformation of six historical sites and two ships in the city leader councillor Mike Ross said: "We're delighted to see people return to enjoy the tranquillity and beauty of this area, and we hope it will continue to be a place for relaxation and enjoyment." The council said the work had included relaying the paving, installing high-quality granite to the inner circle by hand and refurbishing grassed sections surrounding the trees had also been added and the bedding areas were levelled and added: "The reopening of the Rose Bowl area marks another milestone in the continued enhancement of Hull city centre's important green space."This restoration not only breathes new life into a much-loved local feature but also reaffirms our commitment to making Hull a vibrant and welcoming place for everyone."The project will see the refurbishment of the Hull Maritime Museum and the Dock Office Chambers, with Queen's Gardens linking the museum to the new visitor attraction at the North End significant vessels including the Arctic Corsair and Spurn Lightship will also be restored and South Blockhouse will have its story told for the first Guildhall Time Ball has already been restored, reclaiming Hull's skyline. Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices
BBC News
07-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Hull to mark Srebrenica massacre 30 years on
A memorial service to mark the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre will be held in than 8,000 Bosnian men and boys were killed in less than one week in 1995, in one of the worst massacres in Europe since World War on Thursday 10 July will include prayers at the Peace Garden in Hanover Square, ahead of the raising of the flag of City Council said: "Thirty years on from the horrors of Srebrenica, it still remains a very poignant time for those who lost friends and family members." "We will come together to remember them and the thousands of other people killed during the Bosnian War," council leader Mike Ross said. "It will also allow us to show our solidarity with anyone who is currently affected by conflict, as we send the message that we are against genocide in any form," he added. Organisers of the event have chosen the theme Remember Yesterday, Act Today with the message "reflective remembrance alongside proactive action to safeguard against intolerance and hatred". The Lord Mayor, Councillor Cheryl Payne, will attend the gathering."Hull is a Sanctuary City, and it is important that people displaced from their own land because of war know that they are welcome here," she said. "Events like these are important in helping to create a strong and cohesive society, as we focus on being inclusive and working to ensure people feel safe and welcomed in our community." Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Click here, to download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and here, to download the BBC News app from Google Play for Android devices.
BBC News
04-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Hull MP's concerns over delays to Queen's Gardens reopening
A Hull MP has written to the city's council leader expressing concern that the reopening of a park has been pushed back until spring next on redeveloping Queen's Gardens was initially due to be completed by "late 2025".Last month, Hull City Council confirmed that it would now be opening next Hardy MP, also sought assurances that there would be no further increase in the cost of the project, which has risen from an estimated £4.3m in 2019 to £21.1m last year, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. In her letter, the Hull West and Haltemprice Labour MP said that the delay would be "disappointing news for residents and city centre businesses who will no doubt be asking themselves whether this new date will be met".She added: "Can the people of Hull have your assurance that this will be the final delay, and that there has been no increase in the final cost?" In response, Liberal Democrat council leader Mike Ross said the project had "faced many challenges with the nature of the space and ground conditions". "Queen's Gardens is one of Hull's most cherished green spaces, and its transformation is a vital investment in the city's future," he added: "We are able to announce that sections of the Gardens that are complete will be opened to the public as soon as it is safe to do so. "Guildhall Road has already re-opened and we are reaching an important stage of the project where a section of the Rose Bowl can be reopened in the coming weeks."This phased approach means residents and visitors can enjoy parts of the Gardens while the remaining elements of the project are completed."Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
BBC News
30-06-2025
- BBC News
Events across Hull aim to help tackle anti-social behaviour
Hull residents concerned about anti-social behaviour are being invited to a series of drop-in events across the police and fire service representatives will be at the Not Where I Live Week sessions, with people able to raise their concerns about any ongoing City Council leader Mike Ross said the week-long event was a chance for residents to "provide extra opportunities to tell us about any issues".The authority said its neighbourhood nuisance team received about 3,500 reports a year of anti-social behaviour, and dealt with about 1,300 people creating a nuisance. "Creating safe and welcoming neighbourhoods is one of our priorities now and for the coming decade," said Ross."We know how important this is to people, and part of it is ensuring we tell people about the help available and how to get it."The first event is at Northpoint Shopping Centre on Tuesday between 10:00 and 12:00 BST.A list of the other events can be found on the council's to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
