Hull City Council has continued its move towards a greener, more efficient future by digitising thousands of historic children’s services files. The project, delivered in partnership with Hull-based company Storetec, recently led to 300 new trees being planted in Pickering Park. This, in turn, will see a range of benefits, from improving biodiversity, contributing to a cleaner, healthier environment for residents, as well as achieving financial savings for the taxpayer.
Every 10 boxes of archived files scanned results in one tree being planted. With an estimated 2.5 to 5 million files still to be digitised, further planting is planned as the project continues. The move from paper to digital storage strengthens data security, makes it easier for staff to locate important records quickly, and reduces the need for physical storage. This is better for the environment, easier to operate and leads to financial savings.
The initiative supports several priorities in the Hull Community Plan 2024–2034, particularly ambition five – Responding to the climate and nature emergency. By reducing waste, improving record safety, and contributing to tree planting, the project demonstrates how innovation can improve both service delivery and environmental responsibility.
On Tuesday 25 November, Fiona Bell, Service Support Manager, joined Councillor Linda Tock, portfolio holder for children’s services, and Councillor Charles Quinn, portfolio holder for environment, to help plant some of the trees at Pickering Park.
Fiona Bell said: “People often assume archive files are rarely touched, but we access them constantly – such as for subject access requests when care-experienced young people become adults, for police enquiries, and for other authorities.
“Before this project we were physically pulling files every day; now we can access them instantly and know they’re protected from damage. It has been a fantastic project to be involved in, and it reinforces how important these records are to the children and families they relate to.”
Councillor Linda Tock, Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services, said: “Digitising these records strengthens our ability to keep children safe, support families quickly, and operate in a more sustainable way. Planting new trees in the heart of our communities is a meaningful benefit for the city, and this project shows how modernisation can directly improve lives, services and our environment.”
Hull City Council will continue working with Storetec as the next phases of digitisation begin, ensuring improved access to critical information while contributing to a greener future for Hull.
Click here for more information on the project.