Thursday 5 August 2021

The Local Government Minister, Luke Hall MP, has told Beverley FM that he discussed options for devolution to the Hull and East Yorkshire area when he met council leaders on Tuesday which they have agreed to fully consider. Many councillors are cautious about combining the two local authorities and say that public opinion is strongly against it. But it looks like some form of cooperation is going to be needed to unlock vital funding. The Minister told us that the Government is committed to full devolution in England and he’s keen to take a flexible approach so that local leaders are given the tools to make things happen in their local communities by strengthening accountable leadership. Read a joint statement from East Riding and Hull City councils here.

Police say they are clamping down on illegal hare coursing in East Yorkshire after successfully prosecuting a man who was detained with two juveniles for releasing dogs onto hares. Adam Brown of Doncaster pleased guilting in Hull Magistrates Court this week and was fined £120 plus costs and a victim surcharge. Officers told us that this illegal activity will not be tolerated. Full details here. Members of the rural community and indeed anyone witnessing poaching, or any crime, in progress to call 999. For non-emergency incidents or suspicious circumstances and vehicles, please contact 101 or email SPOCRuralandWildlifeCrime@humberside.pnn.police.uk

The zoo at Sewerby Hall and Gardens is celebrating the birth of a Humboldt penguin – the first chick born there for 11 years. Parents Sigsby and Twinny sadly abandoned the egg so head zookeeper John Pickering took it home and placed it in an incubator. He described the birth as a miracle. Read more here