Man pleads guilty to headbutting two police officers in Boroughbridge

A man has pleaded guilty to headbutting two police officers in Boroughbridge last year.

Jonathan Carradus, 32, was charged with assaulting emergency workers and occasioning actual bodily harm on July 10, 2022.

Carradus appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court on Thursday and spoke only to confirm his name and enter his plea.

The 32-year-old, who gave an address in Cumbria, was charged with assaulting the officers in the town.

Antony Farrell, prosecuting, told the court that Carradus had an argument with his girlfriend and had left the property on the street to get into his car at 11.15pm.

Officers from North Yorkshire Police then stopped him after responding to reports of an “ongoing domestic” in the area.

The court heard that Carradus refused to offer a specimen and began being aggressive with the named police constables.

Mr Farrell said the 32-year-old headbutted one of the officers and a struggle started.

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Carradus then assaulted the second officer and continued to resist arrest, the court heard.

His defence said that he had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and that the incident “went the wrong way”.

The magistrates ordered Carradus to appear before the court on January 27 to be sentenced.

Business Breakfast: Harrogate chamber meeting to focus on devolution

Now is your time to shine with the Stray Ferret Business Awards. We are encouraging businesses of all sizes from right across the Harrogate district to enter for our awards and get recognition from our top panel of judges. Entries close on January 16.

The effect of North Yorkshire devolution on Harrogate businesses will be in the spotlight at a meeting tonight.

Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council, and Richard Flinton, chief executive of the authority, will address business leaders at a Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce event.

The meeting will focus on how changes in local government from April 1 and the prospect of a directly elected mayor for the county will impact traders.

David Simister, chamber chief executive, said: 

“The creation of a new, single tier authority is the biggest change in local government since 1974, and we are delighted to have Cllr Les and Mr Flinton with us for our first meeting of 2023.

“We are keen to hear from them their vision for economic growth, and to know what the likely implications of greater devolution, and a directly elected mayor for North Yorkshire, will be for the district’s business community.

“Harrogate Convention Centre is one of the biggest economic drivers for the district. Currently owned and operated by Harrogate Borough Council, come April 1 it will then fall under the new authority.

“We have learned that a new strategic board is to be created to oversee the proposed £49m redevelopment project, and to assess the most appropriate operating model for the venue in the future. What we don’t know yet is the makeup of this body.”

The meeting will be held at Rudding Park Hotel and doors will open for networking from 5.30pm. Speakers will start at 6.15pm.

For information on how to attend the meeting, visit the chamber website here.

Housing developer creates North Yorkshire division

A housing developer has announced it has set up a North Yorkshire regional division as part of its business.

Avant Homes, which has approval for an 80-home development in Green Hammerton, launched the new division. It is expected to include 726 homes across five schemes.

It also includes projects in York and Leeds and is valued at £206 million.

Scott Varley, regional chairman of Avant Homes, said:

“Avant Homes North Yorkshire is an exciting expansion to our business which forms part of our ongoing nationwide strategic growth plan.

“Launching with three developments underway, and two others receiving planning approval, means we have a great deal of momentum in North Yorkshire allowing us to deliver much-needed, new-build homes for people in the region.”

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Stray Views: ‘Despair’ at Prime Minister’s maths proposal

Stray Views is a weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district. It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. Send your views to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk.

I despair with the latest idea from the Prime Minister. 

The concept of making all children study maths to age 18 shows how out of touch with reality Rishi Sunak is. Apart from the fact that this would cause chaos in schools at a time when there are so many other issues that the public want sorting out, beggars’ belief. 

As a retired teacher and a life-long conservative. I would love to get Rishi in a room and give him a verbal thrashing. This ’intellectual’ ideal of maths to age 18 does not square with the reality that not all children are academic, and that there is a need for more practical and vocational training. Already in a post pandemic era there are thousands of young people who are disaffected and uninspired by the present education system. 

This is partly due to rigid and inflexible curricula and staff protocols. The PM’s priority should be setting up a system like the pandemic ‘Nightingale Hospitals’ to take the ‘bed blockers’ out of hospitals, thus also reducing the blockages at A&E and freeing up ambulances. 

We clearly need to train more doctors and nurses, but not every nurse needs a degree and perhaps going back to ‘on the ward’ training with paid trainees is the answer. 

As for all the strikes such as rail workers and postal workers, the government needs to be more proactive in getting a resolution. Teaching maths to age 18 will not solve any of these issues.

Brian Souter, Starbeck

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Another hospital for Harrogate should be built

Is there any reason why another hospital cannot be built instead of all the available land being used for housing?

I remember people saying it was a good idea for “another” hospital when it was proposed to demolish the general. It was said the hospital was getting a bit tatty, but there was surprise when land was sold for housing and not another hospital. 

Also Carlton Lodge on Leeds Road which was used in addition for maternity was sold and everything – and I mean everything – was to be in the new district hospital. 

There really should be another hospital. Not a bigger one, another one.

Anne Smith, Pannal

Do you have an opinion on the Harrogate district? Email us at letters@thestrayferret.co.uk. Please include your name and approximate location details. Limit your letters to 350 words. We reserve the right to edit letters.

Fundraisers embark on 500 mile challenge to raise money for friend’s son

Two Harrogate fundraisers are embarking on a combined 500 mile run throughout January to raise money after their friend lost her life to bowel cancer.

Emma Egerton died on December 10, 2022, leaving behind her five-year-old son Oliver.

As a result, Sarah Long and Nikkie Brown, Emma’s friends, have sought to take on the challenge to raise money to set up a trust fund for Oliver and raise awareness of bowel cancer in the process.

The pair will embark on around eight miles per day in an effort to reach the 500 mile target before the end of the month.

Sarah said the two friends were taking on the challenge to help give Oliver a future after losing his mum.

She said:

“No child should ever lose their Mummy at such a young age and nothing will ever replace his loss – we hope that by doing a little something to raise funds for his Trust Fund will go a tiny way to give Oliver a brighter future.”

The pair have so fair raised £980 towards their cause.

For more information on the campaign and how to donate, visit Sarah and Nikkie’s JustGiving page here.

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More drivers arrested in Harrogate for drink driving than any other district

More drivers have been arrested in the Harrogate district as part of North Yorkshire Police’s Christmas drink drive campaign than any over district.

The force tested 1,035 people throughout December for drink and drug driving.

It comes as part of North Yorkshire Police’s campaign to clamp down on people driving under the influence.

Following roadside tests carried out by the force 121 people have been arrested.

Of that number, 33 drivers were in the Harrogate district. The second most were in York, which saw 30 people arrested.

Ryedale and Craven saw the fewest arrested with six and three drivers.

Drink driving arrests made by North Yorkshire Police during the force’s campaign. Data: NYP.

Seventy-three of the arrests were for drink driving, 40 arrests for drug driving (one person was arrested for both drink and drug driving) and nine people were arrested for failing to provide. 

Eighteen of those arrested followed a road traffic collision.

Superintendent Emma Aldred, head of specialist operations at North Yorkshire Police, said:

“Along with other emergency services we see far too often the devastating consequences that drink and drug driving causes.

“We often use the term ‘the ripple effect,’ as the mindless actions from one individual can lead to trauma and heartache for many more people.

“Although a vast majority of people were driving within the legal limits, 121 arrests is an alarming number, and it makes this set of results a difficult read.

“This campaign has focused on asking people to call us with information about drink and drug drivers.

“I’m pleased to say we’ve received a significant amount of calls over the past month and often these calls have often resulted in arrests and most likely the prevention of further devastation.”

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Referendum should not ‘slow down’ Harrogate town council creation

A referendum should not slow the process of creating a Harrogate town council, local Liberal Democrats have said.

Harrogate and Scarborough are the only parts of North Yorkshire which do not have a parish or town council. However, a lower-tier authority looks set to be created after 75% backed a proposal in an initial consultation.

North Yorkshire County Council looks set to hold a second consultation on the plans instead of a local referendum.

Both Liberal Democrat and Conservative councillors in Harrogate called for a binding referendum over the matter in September last year.

However, local Lib Dems have now said that, while the party backed a referendum, they feel it should not slow down the town council process.

Cllr Chris Aldred, who represents Fairfax on Harrogate Borough Council, said:

“Harrogate and Knaresborough Lib Dems are in support of a town council and have been out talking to residents about the need to protect our local voice.

“We encouraged people to take part in a consultation last year and make their opinions known.

“Our council group voted in favour of a referendum but would not want to see a referendum process slow the establishment of a town council if the outcome of the public consultation showed strong support.”

‘Democratic legitimacy’

Cllr Richard Cooper, Conservative leader of the borough council, tabled a motion at a meeting in September last year calling for a referendum on the matter.

The resolution also said information should be made available prior to the referendum as to which services a new town council could provide, together with an indicative level of investment required to give “democratic legitimacy” to the process.

The creation of a town council will see Harrogate residents pay an additional precept on their council tax to fund its functions.

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At the time, Cllr Cooper said a ballot had to be held before residents were asked to pay an extra tax to fund it.

He said:

“Asking the public if they want a new town council without informing them what it might do and how much extra council tax they would have to pay is not a meaningful conversation.

“And if as everyone tells me that the people of Harrogate are clamouring for a town council, then what do we have to fear?”

The Stray Ferret asked Cllr Cooper for comment on the news that a consultation couldl be held instead of a referendum, but did not receive a response.

Referendum ‘not justified’

A report due before North Yorkshire County Council’s executive on January 10 says a referendum “may not be justified” if a consultation is likely to give the same result.

Cllr Carl Les, Conservative leader of the county council, said in response to the borough council’s motion:

“It should be noted that it is not legally possible to hold a binding referendum to create a town council as the legislation does not provide for this and the council cannot fetter its discretion in this way.

“However we note the council’s request about how to carry out any future consultation.”

The report goes on to add that such a referendum may not “illicit a different response” to a consultation and that the additional cost may not be justified.

“It is not clear that a referendum would elicit a different response. There is no requirement under the law for a referendum to form part of a community governance review to provide democratic legitimacy to the outcome.

“The additional cost of a referendum may not be justified if the outcome is likely to be the same as writing to all households.”

Instead, the county council has recommended a second public consultation to be held for eight-weeks from February 20.

Harrogate district residents to be offered cost of living support

Thousands of people in the Harrogate district will be offered support amid the cost of living crisis.

North Yorkshire County Council is working with Harrogate Borough Council to offer a one-off payment in supermarket e-vouchers to help those most in need to pay for food and other essentials.

The scheme was initially set up by the Department for Work and Pensions to help people meet the cost of energy bills, food and other essentials as the country recovered from the covid-19 pandemic.

The funding is allocated to councils, which then distribute the money in a way that meets the needs of their local communities.

Cllr David Chance, North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for corporate services, said: 

“These are difficult times for people, so the third phase of the Household Support Fund will really make a difference to the many residents who are struggling to afford food and basic necessities.

“We’ve been working closely with borough and district council colleagues to identify who is eligible for the Household Support Fund vouchers based on guidance from the Department for Work and Pensions, so you do not need to approach your local council, we will contact you.”

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The latest round of the Household Support Fund has also been used to supplement other schemes which will help residents with their household costs. 

This includes support for food banks and other schemes providing free food across the county.

For more information on the Household Support Fund in North Yorkshire, visit the county council website here.

Knaresborough housing site should be reviewed under local plan, says councillor

A councillor has called for land earmarked for homes in Knaresborough to be reviewed under the council’s new housing plan.

North Yorkshire Council is set to draw up a new local plan when it comes into force in April. It will outline where development can take place across the Harrogate district over the next 30 years.

But Andy Bell, who sits on Knaresborough Town Council, has called for land at Water Lane in the town to be “questioned” after it was previously allocated for housing in Harrogate Borough Council’s Local Plan.

The site was subject to a 170-home proposal last year, but it was thrown out by the government’s Planning Inspectorate on appeal.

Cllr Bell, a Liberal Democrat who spoke against the application at the Inspectorate hearing, said the new council should “think again” on the development.

He said:

“There have been four developments within a few hundred metres of this site recently, three of which are still under construction.

“We can not lose what makes Knaresborough special by allowing development if it is not right for the physical site or the community. This is not a no to all development.

“The Water Lane development had huge issues with access, no public transport provision, and was far too close to the neighbouring site of special scientific interest.

“It has been rejected at all levels of the planning process. It’s time to think again and question its place in the local plan.”

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The Water Lane site is currently allocated for 148 homes under the current Harrogate district Local Plan 2014-2035.

The creation of a fresh local plan for North Yorkshire was agreed by senior councillors last month.

The new local plan will look ahead for a minimum of 15 years, and at least 30 years in relation to any larger scale developments, such as new settlements or significant urban extensions. It would encompass all areas of the county outside the national parks.

Conservative Cllr Simon Myers, executive councillor for growth and housing on the county council, said:

“The plan will be vital to the new North Yorkshire Council’s ambitions to deliver sustainable economic growth, through good homes and jobs, as well as the best facilities and infrastructure for everyone who lives or works in the county.

“Planning guidance will also play a key role in meeting our ambitious targets to tackle climate change. In addition, it can support other services in meeting the needs of our many communities at a local level, taking into account everything from transport and education to housing, health and social care.”

Man denies carrying knuckleduster on Harrogate’s Bower Street

A Harrogate man has denied carrying an offensive weapon on the town’s Bower Street.

Ben Hay, 36, was charged with being in possession of a knuckleduster without lawful authority at the back of Harrogate Homeless Project on December 14, 2022.

He was also charged with being in possession of cannabis on the same date.

Mr Hay, whose address was listed as the hostel on Bower Street, appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court yesterday.

The 36-year-old spoke only to confirm his name and to enter a not guilty plea to both charges.

A trial will be held on February 24 at Harrogate Magistrates Court.

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Business Breakfast: Harrogate law firm partner finalist at Northern Powerhouse awards

Now is your time to shine with the Stray Ferret Business Awards. We are encouraging businesses of all sizes from right across the Harrogate district to enter for our awards and get recognition from our top panel of judges. Entries close on January 16.

A Harrogate law firm partner has reached the final of the Northern Powerhouse awards.

Kate Banerjee, who heads the children’s department at Jones Myers solicitors, has been shortlisted in the private client category.

Organised by the Legal 500 guide, the prestigious accolades recognise outstanding firms, lawyers, rising stars and in-house teams across 23 categories and celebrates their achievements over the last 18 months.

Ms Banerjee said:

“This recognition is a true team effort and attributable to the relentless dedication of our specialists who consistently provide the best solutions for our clients regionally, nationally, and internationally. Well done to every team member and we wish all the finalists the best of luck.”

Richard Peaker, managing partner at Jones Myers, said: 

“Kate’s shortlisting among the best lawyers in their field is well deserved and reflects the esteem in which Kate and the Children’s Department are held.

“The recognition also reinforces Jones Myers standing as a leading family law practice which has maintained its number 1 position in the legal guides for over two decades.”

The awards will take place on March 23, 2023, at the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel in Manchester.

New manager hired at property firm to oversee Harrogate portfolio

Darran Ezard, new property manager at Scanlans.

Darran Ezard, new property manager at Scanlans.

A property management firm has appointed a new manager to oversee its portfolio in Harrogate, Ripon and Boroughbridge.

Scanlans, which is based in Leeds, has hired Darran Ezard to oversee its properties in the district.

Recent additions to Scanlans’ Harrogate management portfolio include Queens Close, Grayson House, Oak Lodge, Cavendish Place, Beech Grove, Trafalgar Court and Byron Court.

Michael Willans, the head of property management for Scanlans in Yorkshire, said: 

“Darran is an excellent addition to our growing team and we are really pleased to welcome him to the firm.

“He has a track record of successfully managing a wide variety of large and small developments in the Yorkshire area, and is adept at working with contractors, tenants and owners as well as management bodies and their directors.

“Having him on board extends our capabilities at a time when we are seeing good growth in contracts as we continue to strengthen our presence in the Yorkshire regional market.

“Harrogate in particular is proving to be an area of rapid expansion for us, with around a dozen new, sought-after sites coming under our management in the first quarter of this year alone.”

Mr Ezard added:

“It’s an exciting time to join Scanlans as we build our presence in the North Yorkshire market and across the region.

“I look forward to utilising my property management and accounting experience to help us further develop our market share, working with a strong team of colleagues and with tenants, leaseholders, freeholders and management companies to look after their interests.”