Latest news with #JuliaConner
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Councillors defect over council tax and rent rises
Two Liberal Democrat councillors in East Yorkshire have defected to become Independent after they said they were unable to support rising council tax and rent bills. Julia Conner and Sherilee Jepmond, who both represent the Longhill and Bilton ward, are now listed as Independents on the Hull City Council website. The move has reduced the Liberal Democrat council majority to one on the council. The party has 29 councillors, Labour has 25 and there are now three Independents. Conner, who defected from Labour to the Liberal Democrats three years ago, said the recent budget announcements were the final straw. She said: "Last year we were the only two Lib Dems in the group to vote against the maximum increase for council tax of 4.99% and 7.7% rent increase for council tenants. "This year we could not support a Lib Dem budget which, for the third year running, increased the council tax and tenants' rent to the maximum possible. "In the last two years council rent has increased by 14.7%, putting additional financial pressures on families already struggling with a cost of living crisis." Earlier this month, council leader Mike Ross said the money from the increased council tax would go towards funding pothole repairs, street cleaning and making communities safer. It was the third consecutive year that the tax was increased by the maximum amount allowed without a referendum. The pair will now join councillor Gary Douglas Wareing in forming a new Independent Group. Wareing told a council meeting on Thursday that Jepmond and Connor would be "freed in their new positions in the Independent Group", adding that "in the council chamber there's many others who feel their link with their groups have been loosened". He invited other members of the council to join the new group and said: "Come and sit over here, there's plenty of room." A Liberal Democrat spokesperson said: "We're aware of the two councillors leaving the group and we wish them well. "The Liberal Democrats will continue to work hard all year round for the residents of Longhill and Bilton Grange." 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. Council tax in Hull to rise by 4.99% again Hull City Council
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Twenty years marked of city's Fairtrade status
A city in East Yorkshire is marking its 20th anniversary of being a Fairtrade City by installing large signs. Displays will pronounce Hull as a "Fairtrade City" alongside the "Welcome to Hull" boundary signs. Locations including Priory Way, Hessle Road, Boothferry Road, Anlaby Road, Priory Road, Bricknell Avenue, Endike Lane, Raich Carter Way, Wawne Road and Ganstead Lane were chosen for the signs. Hull City councillor Julia Conner said people in Hull have "collective pride" in the city maintaining its Fairtrade status for two decades. She said: "Hull has shown ongoing support for fairtrade for 20 years, challenging unfair trade practices and making a stand for decent workers' rights, safer working conditions and fairer pay for farmers and workers globally. "My thanks go to members of the Hull Fairtrade Partnership and to many others who have supported our local Fairtrade campaigns. "Maintaining Fairtrade City status for 20 years is something we can have collective pride in Hull and I look forward to this year's Fairtrade events and continuing to raise awareness of this important issue." The first sign was placed on Main Road in Bilton this week and members of Hull Fairtrade Partnership, including Ms Conner and Hull City Council's Fairtrade Lead Sharon Clay, gathered to watch the unveiling. There will also be other events held in Hull during the year to raise more awareness of the benefits sustainable trade brings. Later in the summer a flower bed in the city centre will also bloom in the shape of the Fairtrade logo. Hull Fairtrade Partnership is being supported by organisations including The Deep, Hull Food Partnership, Groundwork Hull and University of Hull's Student Union Katy Duke, chief executive officer at The Deep, said: "As a proud member of the Hull Fairtrade Partnership, The Deep is pleased to support the installation of the new Fairtrade City boundary signs. "For Hull to reach its 20th year as a Fairtrade City is a significant achievement, representing our unified commitment to promoting and supporting sustainable, ethical trade." 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. Hull City Council
BBC News
14-02-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Signs installed in Hull to mark Fairtrade milestone
A city in East Yorkshire is marking its 20th anniversary of being a Fairtrade City by installing large will pronounce Hull as a "Fairtrade City" alongside the "Welcome to Hull" boundary including Priory Way, Hessle Road, Boothferry Road, Anlaby Road, Priory Road, Bricknell Avenue, Endike Lane, Raich Carter Way, Wawne Road and Ganstead Lane were chosen for the signs. Hull City councillor Julia Conner said people in Hull have "collective pride" in the city maintaining its Fairtrade status for two decades. She said: "Hull has shown ongoing support for fairtrade for 20 years, challenging unfair trade practices and making a stand for decent workers' rights, safer working conditions and fairer pay for farmers and workers globally."My thanks go to members of the Hull Fairtrade Partnership and to many others who have supported our local Fairtrade campaigns."Maintaining Fairtrade City status for 20 years is something we can have collective pride in Hull and I look forward to this year's Fairtrade events and continuing to raise awareness of this important issue."The first sign was placed on Main Road in Bilton this week and members of Hull Fairtrade Partnership, including Ms Conner and Hull City Council's Fairtrade Lead Sharon Clay, gathered to watch the unveiling. There will also be other events held in Hull during the year to raise more awareness of the benefits sustainable trade in the summer a flower bed in the city centre will also bloom in the shape of the Fairtrade Fairtrade Partnership is being supported by organisations including The Deep, Hull Food Partnership, Groundwork Hull and University of Hull's Student UnionKaty Duke, chief executive officer at The Deep, said: "As a proud member of the Hull Fairtrade Partnership, The Deep is pleased to support the installation of the new Fairtrade City boundary signs. "For Hull to reach its 20th year as a Fairtrade City is a significant achievement, representing our unified commitment to promoting and supporting sustainable, ethical trade."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.
