Latest news with #RowanHalstead
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Key issues answered in pre-election debate
Six candidates hoping to be the first mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire have answered questions from the public during a debate. Broadcast by BBC Radio Humberside, it was hosted by BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire political editor Tim Iredale. Reform UK's Luke Campbell, Yorkshire Party's Rowan Halstead, Conservative Anne Handley, Kerry Harrison for the Green Party, Labour's Margaret Pinder and Liberal Democrat Mike Ross took part. Below are some of their answers to key topics put forward during the live stream by members of the public, which you can watch here. Melanie Charlton, manager at the Helping Others community charity shop, asked the question about her local high street in Goole, and claimed business rates are "absolutely killing" the town. Luke Campbell said he would talk to the council about "common sense ideas" to give business rate relief, turning derelict shops into thriving community hubs for people. He said "we need to get that [pride] back" in towns and cities. Rowan Halstead said he would enable the police to tackle those involved in human trafficking and money laundering. He said he would ensure people who attend events can access free transport to get there. Anne Handley said she would have a pot of funding "just for our high streets" to support "local small shops". Asked, as leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, why the authority is consulting on parking charges, she added that "under no circumstances" will the council put them up. Kerry Harrison said people are struggling with the cost of living and changing shopping habits. She said she would make high streets affordable and accessible and "bring buses back into public ownership". Margaret Pinder said she would make high streets accessible, making them "hubs of the community" by tackling anti-social behaviour and "getting trouble-makers off the high streets". She said she wants to make high streets thrive so businesses come back. Mike Ross said he would introduce a high street fund for the region and recognised the importance of "getting new life back into these high streets". He said he would support small and medium businesses as well as bringing investment in. James Ellis, 21, from Hull, asked the question and said "it's hard to get on the property ladder". Luke Campbell said he would set up a scheme for first-time buyers and has a fund available. He would convert derelict buildings into affordable homes, supporting shared ownership and 'rent to own'. Rowan Halstead said attracting businesses should be a priority to promote jobs and enable homes to be built. He said they should be "real community-led houses" with outside spaces, which put people and families first. Anne Handley said infrastructure needs to form part of developers' submitted plans, adding investment was also needed. Kerry Harrison said she would push for a pilot scheme to help people get financial security to get on to the housing ladder. She said she would look at refurbishing and regenerating houses to make them sustainable. Margaret Pinder said young people "deserve to have decent accommodation" and suggested smaller, affordable units for all ages. She said houses should be spread evenly across communities. Mike Ross said the government's housing targets were "ambitious" and "challenging" and called for a "proper plan" for where houses and related infrastructure are built. Sharlah Cantwell, chair of Aldbrough Parish Council, asked the question, and said public transport in rural communities was "limited or non-existent". Luke Campbell said "no rural town should feel cut off". He said he would take back control of bus companies which should be "for the people" and "not for profit". Rowan Halstead said he supported public ownership of transport and would work with councils and bus companies. Profit makers would subsidise companies making a loss, he said. Social isolation "is killing people", he added. Anne Handley said she would look at improving rural transport across the region and introduce "an integrated transport solution". Kerry Harrison said she would bring the bus network back into public ownership because, she said, it is a service "people need" and should be "led for the public". Margaret Pinder said she would bring buses back into public control, running them "where the service is needed" over "where the profits lay". She said "safe, late night transport" was also important for women and girls. Mike Ross would not rule out public ownership of buses but said "it's not a quick overnight process". He said he would like to work with bus companies and councils to improve services. Andy Haines, CEO of Age UK Hull & East Yorkshire, asked the question and said the rising older population "cannot afford to retire". Luke Campbell said he would work with colleges, businesses and skills hubs, to encourage employment opportunities. Rowan Halstead said he would develop apprenticeships for all ages, working with businesses and educational establishments to ensure the workforce was ready when required. He said he would also provide free transport so location, age and money did not become barriers to employment. Anne Handley said she would work with Age UK and educational providers to "upskill and reskill the aging population". Kerry Harrison said "it's quite depressing" that people cannot afford to retire. She said when getting older people back into work, accessibility through hybrid working is important to accommodate mental and physical health. She added this is also important for young people and people with disabilities. Margaret Pinder said she would help older people use their experience to set up businesses, creating jobs and helping them become self-employed. Mike Ross said he would work with businesses to identify skills gaps and the providers to help fill them. Luke Campbell said people need change and a fresh start was needed to connect people and get results. Rowan Halstead said he was the local candidate "not shackled" by a national party and said he would put people in the region first. Anne Handley said she would make a difference and added she had delivered on a promise to create a combined mayoral authority. Kerry Harrison said Hull and East Yorkshire needs a fresh approach and perspective to understand issues and challenges. Margaret Pinder said, by having both a Labour mayor and a Labour government, she could deliver across the county. Mike Ross said there was the opportunity to do "wonderful things" and it requires someone with his experience. The full list of candidates standing for the seat are: Luke Campbell - Reform UK Rowan Halstead - Yorkshire Party Anne Handley - Conservative Kerry Harrison - Green Margaret Pinder - Labour Mike Ross - Liberal Democrats Information about the 1 May mayoral election and how to vote can be found here. POSTCODE LOOKUP: Check if there is an election in your area SIMPLE GUIDE: Everything you need to know about the local elections GET IN TOUCH: Tell us the election issues that matter to you FULL COVERAGE: Catch up on all our election stories 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. What is the Hull and East Yorkshire mayoral election? Local elections 2025: Who is standing in my area? Your Voice, Your Vote: Tell us the election issues that matter to you Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Key issues answered in pre-election debate
Six candidates hoping to be the first mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire have answered questions from the public during a debate. Broadcast by BBC Radio Humberside, it was hosted by BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire political editor Tim Iredale. Reform UK's Luke Campbell, Yorkshire Party's Rowan Halstead, Conservative Anne Handley, Kerry Harrison for the Green Party, Labour's Margaret Pinder and Liberal Democrat Mike Ross took part. Below are some of their answers to key topics put forward during the live stream by members of the public, which you can watch here. Melanie Charlton, manager at the Helping Others community charity shop, asked the question about her local high street in Goole, and claimed business rates are "absolutely killing" the town. Luke Campbell said he would talk to the council about "common sense ideas" to give business rate relief, turning derelict shops into thriving community hubs for people. He said "we need to get that [pride] back" in towns and cities. Rowan Halstead said he would enable the police to tackle those involved in human trafficking and money laundering. He said he would ensure people who attend events can access free transport to get there. Anne Handley said she would have a pot of funding "just for our high streets" to support "local small shops". Asked, as leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, why the authority is consulting on parking charges, she added that "under no circumstances" will the council put them up. Kerry Harrison said people are struggling with the cost of living and changing shopping habits. She said she would make high streets affordable and accessible and "bring buses back into public ownership". Margaret Pinder said she would make high streets accessible, making them "hubs of the community" by tackling anti-social behaviour and "getting trouble-makers off the high streets". She said she wants to make high streets thrive so businesses come back. Mike Ross said he would introduce a high street fund for the region and recognised the importance of "getting new life back into these high streets". He said he would support small and medium businesses as well as bringing investment in. James Ellis, 21, from Hull, asked the question and said "it's hard to get on the property ladder". Luke Campbell said he would set up a scheme for first-time buyers and has a fund available. He would convert derelict buildings into affordable homes, supporting shared ownership and 'rent to own'. Rowan Halstead said attracting businesses should be a priority to promote jobs and enable homes to be built. He said they should be "real community-led houses" with outside spaces, which put people and families first. Anne Handley said infrastructure needs to form part of developers' submitted plans, adding investment was also needed. Kerry Harrison said she would push for a pilot scheme to help people get financial security to get on to the housing ladder. She said she would look at refurbishing and regenerating houses to make them sustainable. Margaret Pinder said young people "deserve to have decent accommodation" and suggested smaller, affordable units for all ages. She said houses should be spread evenly across communities. Mike Ross said the government's housing targets were "ambitious" and "challenging" and called for a "proper plan" for where houses and related infrastructure are built. Sharlah Cantwell, chair of Aldbrough Parish Council, asked the question, and said public transport in rural communities was "limited or non-existent". Luke Campbell said "no rural town should feel cut off". He said he would take back control of bus companies which should be "for the people" and "not for profit". Rowan Halstead said he supported public ownership of transport and would work with councils and bus companies. Profit makers would subsidise companies making a loss, he said. Social isolation "is killing people", he added. Anne Handley said she would look at improving rural transport across the region and introduce "an integrated transport solution". Kerry Harrison said she would bring the bus network back into public ownership because, she said, it is a service "people need" and should be "led for the public". Margaret Pinder said she would bring buses back into public control, running them "where the service is needed" over "where the profits lay". She said "safe, late night transport" was also important for women and girls. Mike Ross would not rule out public ownership of buses but said "it's not a quick overnight process". He said he would like to work with bus companies and councils to improve services. Andy Haines, CEO of Age UK Hull & East Yorkshire, asked the question and said the rising older population "cannot afford to retire". Luke Campbell said he would work with colleges, businesses and skills hubs, to encourage employment opportunities. Rowan Halstead said he would develop apprenticeships for all ages, working with businesses and educational establishments to ensure the workforce was ready when required. He said he would also provide free transport so location, age and money did not become barriers to employment. Anne Handley said she would work with Age UK and educational providers to "upskill and reskill the aging population". Kerry Harrison said "it's quite depressing" that people cannot afford to retire. She said when getting older people back into work, accessibility through hybrid working is important to accommodate mental and physical health. She added this is also important for young people and people with disabilities. Margaret Pinder said she would help older people use their experience to set up businesses, creating jobs and helping them become self-employed. Mike Ross said he would work with businesses to identify skills gaps and the providers to help fill them. Luke Campbell said people need change and a fresh start was needed to connect people and get results. Rowan Halstead said he was the local candidate "not shackled" by a national party and said he would put people in the region first. Anne Handley said she would make a difference and added she had delivered on a promise to create a combined mayoral authority. Kerry Harrison said Hull and East Yorkshire needs a fresh approach and perspective to understand issues and challenges. Margaret Pinder said, by having both a Labour mayor and a Labour government, she could deliver across the county. Mike Ross said there was the opportunity to do "wonderful things" and it requires someone with his experience. The full list of candidates standing for the seat are: Luke Campbell - Reform UK Rowan Halstead - Yorkshire Party Anne Handley - Conservative Kerry Harrison - Green Margaret Pinder - Labour Mike Ross - Liberal Democrats Information about the 1 May mayoral election and how to vote can be found here. POSTCODE LOOKUP: Check if there is an election in your area SIMPLE GUIDE: Everything you need to know about the local elections GET IN TOUCH: Tell us the election issues that matter to you FULL COVERAGE: Catch up on all our election stories 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. What is the Hull and East Yorkshire mayoral election? Local elections 2025: Who is standing in my area? Your Voice, Your Vote: Tell us the election issues that matter to you Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority
BBC News
14-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Hull and East Yorkshire mayoral candidates' debate
Six candidates hoping to be the first mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire have answered questions from the public during a by BBC Radio Humberside, it was hosted by BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire political editor Tim UK's Luke Campbell, Yorkshire Party's Rowan Halstead, Conservative Anne Handley, Kerry Harrison for the Green Party, Labour's Margaret Pinder and Liberal Democrat Mike Ross took are some of their answers to key topics put forward during the live stream by members of the public, which you can watch here. What are you going to do about our declining high streets? Melanie Charlton, manager at the Helping Others community charity shop, asked the question about her local high street in Goole, and claimed business rates are "absolutely killing" the Campbell said he would talk to the council about "common sense ideas" to give business rate relief, turning derelict shops into thriving community hubs for people. He said "we need to get that [pride] back" in towns and cities. Rowan Halstead said he would enable the police to tackle those involved in human trafficking and money laundering. He said he would ensure people who attend events can access free transport to get Handley said she would have a pot of funding "just for our high streets" to support "local small shops". Asked, as leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, why the authority is consulting on parking charges, she added that "under no circumstances" will the council put them up. Kerry Harrison said people are struggling with the cost of living and changing shopping habits. She said she would make high streets affordable and accessible and "bring buses back into public ownership". Margaret Pinder said she would make high streets accessible, making them "hubs of the community" by tackling anti-social behaviour and "getting trouble-makers off the high streets". She said she wants to make high streets thrive so businesses come Ross said he would introduce a high street fund for the region and recognised the importance of "getting new life back into these high streets". He said he would support small and medium businesses as well as bringing investment in. What would you do to ensure young people have access to decent, affordable housing? James Ellis, 21, from Hull, asked the question and said "it's hard to get on the property ladder".Luke Campbell said he would set up a scheme for first-time buyers and has a fund available. He would convert derelict buildings into affordable homes, supporting shared ownership and 'rent to own'.Rowan Halstead said attracting businesses should be a priority to promote jobs and enable homes to be built. He said they should be "real community-led houses" with outside spaces, which put people and families Handley said infrastructure needs to form part of developers' submitted plans, adding investment was also Harrison said she would push for a pilot scheme to help people get financial security to get on to the housing ladder. She said she would look at refurbishing and regenerating houses to make them Pinder said young people "deserve to have decent accommodation" and suggested smaller, affordable units for all ages. She said houses should be spread evenly across communities. Mike Ross said the government's housing targets were "ambitious" and "challenging" and called for a "proper plan" for where houses and related infrastructure are built. Will you improve rural transport? Yes or no? Sharlah Cantwell, chair of Aldbrough Parish Council, asked the question, and said public transport in rural communities was "limited or non-existent".Luke Campbell said "no rural town should feel cut off". He said he would take back control of bus companies which should be "for the people" and "not for profit". Rowan Halstead said he supported public ownership of transport and would work with councils and bus companies. Profit makers would subsidise companies making a loss, he said. Social isolation "is killing people", he Handley said she would look at improving rural transport across the region and introduce "an integrated transport solution".Kerry Harrison said she would bring the bus network back into public ownership because, she said, it is a service "people need" and should be "led for the public".Margaret Pinder said she would bring buses back into public control, running them "where the service is needed" over "where the profits lay". She said "safe, late night transport" was also important for women and girls. Mike Ross would not rule out public ownership of buses but said "it's not a quick overnight process". He said he would like to work with bus companies and councils to improve services. What are you going to do about skills and employment opportunities for older people? Andy Haines, CEO of Age UK Hull & East Yorkshire, asked the question and said the rising older population "cannot afford to retire".Luke Campbell said he would work with colleges, businesses and skills hubs, to encourage employment opportunities. Rowan Halstead said he would develop apprenticeships for all ages, working with businesses and educational establishments to ensure the workforce was ready when required. He said he would also provide free transport so location, age and money did not become barriers to Handley said she would work with Age UK and educational providers to "upskill and reskill the aging population".Kerry Harrison said "it's quite depressing" that people cannot afford to retire. She said when getting older people back into work, accessibility through hybrid working is important to accommodate mental and physical health. She added this is also important for young people and people with Pinder said she would help older people use their experience to set up businesses, creating jobs and helping them become self-employed. Mike Ross said he would work with businesses to identify skills gaps and the providers to help fill them. Final pitches Luke Campbell said people need change and a fresh start was needed to connect people and get Halstead said he was the local candidate "not shackled" by a national party and said he would put people in the region Handley said she would make a difference and added she had delivered on a promise to create a combined mayoral Harrison said Hull and East Yorkshire needs a fresh approach and perspective to understand issues and Pinder said, by having both a Labour mayor and a Labour government, she could deliver across the Ross said there was the opportunity to do "wonderful things" and it requires someone with his experience. The full list of candidates standing for the seat are:Luke Campbell - Reform UKRowan Halstead - Yorkshire PartyAnne Handley - ConservativeKerry Harrison - Green Margaret Pinder - LabourMike Ross - Liberal Democrats Information about the 1 May mayoral election and how to vote can be found here. POSTCODE LOOKUP: Check if there is an election in your areaSIMPLE GUIDE: Everything you need to know about the local electionsGET IN TOUCH: Tell us the election issues that matter to youFULL COVERAGE: Catch up on all our election stories 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.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hull and East Yorkshire mayor 2025: The candidates
Five candidates so far have officially thrown their hat into the ring to become the first elected mayor for Hull and East Yorkshire. In September, the government approved a devolution deal for the region which will see the creation of a combined authority comprising of Hull City Council and the East Riding of Yorkshire Council. The mayor will lead the new authority and oversee decision making on issues such as housing and transport which would otherwise be made in Westminster. Nominations for the candidates will officially open on 18 March before voting takes place on Thursday 1 May. The candidates who have so far been declared, listed by surname alphabetically, are: Rowan Halstead - Yorkshire Party Anne Handley - Conservative Kerry Harrison - Green Margaret Pinder - Labour Mike Ross - Liberal Democrats A candidate for Reform UK will be announced at the Connexin Live arena in Hull on Thursday. Under the devolution deal, Hull and East Yorkshire will be given an additional £13m a year from government. Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council will retain their independence and continue their work as normal, alongside the combined authority. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner previously said the changes were about "rebalancing the power between Westminster and our communities". "This agreement will ensure local people will have a seat at the table as we drive forward our plans to deliver economic growth, and unleash the potential of towns and cities which have been neglected for far too long," she said. 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. Will devolution bring power to the people? Region's new combined authority confirmed Public 53% in favour of directly elected mayor Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority
BBC News
27-02-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Hull and East Yorkshire mayor 2025: Candidates
Five candidates so far have officially thrown their hat into the ring to become the first elected mayor for Hull and East September, the government approved a devolution deal for the region which will see the creation of a combined authority comprising of Hull City Council and the East Riding of Yorkshire mayor will lead the new authority and oversee decision making on issues such as housing and transport which would otherwise be made in for the candidates will officially open on 18 March before voting takes place on Thursday 1 May. The candidates who have so far been declared, listed by surname alphabetically, are:Rowan Halstead - Yorkshire PartyAnne Handley - ConservativeKerry Harrison - GreenMargaret Pinder - LabourMike Ross - Liberal DemocratsA candidate for Reform UK will be announced at the Connexin Live arena in Hull on the devolution deal, Hull and East Yorkshire will be given an additional £13m a year from City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council will retain their independence and continue their work as normal, alongside the combined Prime Minister Angela Rayner previously said the changes were about "rebalancing the power between Westminster and our communities"."This agreement will ensure local people will have a seat at the table as we drive forward our plans to deliver economic growth, and unleash the potential of towns and cities which have been neglected for far too long," she said. 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.
