Calvin Robinson Chief Reporter, Author at The Stray Ferret

Inquest opens into death of Minskip man who went missing

An inquest has opened into the death of a Minskip man who went missing in June.

Luke Earnshaw, 31, was reported missing after leaving home on Prospect Terrace in the village on Saturday, June 13, just before 2.30pm.

His body was later found in a field off Thorndikes Lane on June 16.

He was reported dead by North Yorkshire Police.

A coroner opened an inquest into Mr Earnshaw’s death at County Hall in Northallerton yesterday.

She said the 31-year-old died as a result of wound injuries to his arm. A knife was found at the scene.

The hearing was adjourned and a full inquest will be held at a later date.

Business Breakfast: Harrogate firm acquires Ripon advertising company

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal

A Harrogate advertising company has acquired Adverta Transport Advertising as part of an expansion at the firm.

CP Media, which has offices on East Parade, will add 23 more staff to its team following the acquisition.

Adverta, which is based in Ripon, is one of the UK’s largest bus and tram advertising specialists and represents around 30 bus companies.

Mike Brennan, chief executive of CP Media, said:

“The bus and tram advertising sector is one that we know well. I was heavily involved in transport advertising for many years alongside my business partner Andrew Walker. This means that Adverta is a perfect fit for our ambitious growth strategy.

“We are really looking forward to working with the Adverta team and growing the business in the same way that we have grown the main CP Media business and subsequently Eye Airports following our 2019 acquisition.”

Lisa Ratcliffe, managing director of Adverta, said:

“I am proud of Adverta and very happy that it will be joining the CP Media group.

“CP Media has a great track record of diversification, acquisition and growth and I know that this move will help Adverta to grow significantly.”

Knaresborough opticians win social media award

A Knaresborough opticians has won an award recognising its social media practice.

Yorkshire Eyewear, which has a branch on High Street in the town, picked up the award at the Opticians Awards in London.

The awards aim to recognise best practice in the industry.

A total of 32 categories were up for nomination, including technology, lens, frame, and contact lens award.

In a tweet, Yorkshire Eyewear said it was delighted to win the best social media practice award.

It said:

“Congratulations to all the other finalists. We are all winners.”

Council plans new crossing on Harrogate’s Wetherby Road

A new crossing could be installed on Wetherby Road in an effort to improve walking and cycling in Harrogate.

The crossing, which could include traffic lights, would be put in place next to Slingsby Walk on the Stray.

North Yorkshire County Council has proposed the measure, which would cost £75,000, which it says could “double the number of people using a popular cycling and walking route”.

Cllr Keane Duncan, North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for highways and transportation, is to consider the proposal at a meeting on Wednesday, December 14.

Cllr Duncan said:

“We are committed to creating opportunities for people who want to walk or cycle for work, education, shopping or other reasons. This is clear in the Harrogate area through our Transforming Cities Fund gateway project and Active Travel Fund schemes to develop a safe, accessible network for cyclists and pedestrians.

“The Slingsby Walk crossing could offer a significant addition to the town’s infrastructure, providing a safe, formal crossing point for pedestrians and cyclists who might be hesitant about using the link at the moment.

“We recognise concerns around existing traffic congestion on this section of Wetherby Road. While an additional crossing would place extra pressure on the network, this needs to be weighed against the benefit to pedestrians and cyclists that already use this location and those that would if there was a formal crossing.

“We need to consider the benefits a signalised crossing would bring to pedestrians and cyclists and the safety of vulnerable road users in this location to achieve a better balance between different modes of travel.”

If approved, implementation of the crossing will be subject to a detailed design and safety audit before it could be introduced in 2023/24.

Funding of £75,000 for the crossing has been secured from Harrogate Borough Council’s sustainable transport budget.

Cllr Phil Ireland, Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet member for carbon reduction and sustainability, said:

“If we want to achieve our zero-carbon economy targets, we need to invest in sustainable travel options and help make them as safe as possible.

“Introducing a road crossing on Wetherby Road at Slingsby Walk will ensure people have safe access between the east and west of Harrogate town centre. Especially as this route is frequently used by young people accessing the nearby schools.

“I’d like to thank North Yorkshire County Council as well as Councillor Keane Duncan for considering this proposal.”

Harrogate district train passengers warned not to travel for five days next week

Northern has warned passengers not to travel for the majority of next week amid more industrial action.

RMT Union members are expected to stage another walkout from Tuesday (December 13) until Saturday (December 17) in a dispute over pay and conditions.

The strikes will be the latest to hit the Harrogate district rail network this year.

Northern, which operates services from Harrogate and Knaresborough towards Leeds and York, has warned passengers not to travel after Monday next week as services wind down.

The operator said it expects to run a “very limited service” during the days of strike action.

A table issued by Northern warning passengers of days with industrial action.

A visual issued by Northern

It said in a statement:

“On strike days, only travel by rail if necessary and if you do travel, expect severe disruption and plan ahead – especially the first and last trains of the day.

“If you do decide to travel, there will be very limited services running across the whole rail network so remember to check your entire journey as other train service providers may be affected.

“There will be no rail replacement buses on strike days for Northern services and some Northern stations may be closed or have reduced hours due to the limited staffing and services.”

Northern is also expecting disruption over Christmas as the RMT Union announced further planned demonstrations.

The union is planning to stage a further walkout from Christmas Eve until December 27.

Northern added:

“We’re working on what that means for services, please check before you travel as your usual train may not be running.”

New board to review Harrogate Convention Centre operating model

A new board is to be created to assess the best way to operate Harrogate Convention Centre.

Harrogate Borough Council, which owns the facility, will be abolished in April and replaced by North Yorkshire Council. The move has raised questions over how the venue on Kings Road will be run from 2023.

In a report to be discussed by councillors next week, Paula Lorimer, director of the convention centre, said a strategic board will be set up by the new authority to oversee the planned £49 million redevelopment and assess how it should operate.

She said:

“This will bring changes for HCC including new structural reporting lines as well as to changes to governance relating to the HCC board. Some of these issues are yet to be clarified but are intended to be resolved ahead of vesting day.

“Additionally, and as mentioned earlier in this report, a new HCC strategic board is to be created by the new authority in order to oversee the redevelopment project and to assess the most appropriate operating model for the venue in the future.

“HCC staff will, however, TUPE transfer to the new authority from April 2023 as they are employees of Harrogate Borough Council.”

Economic impact up to £31m

Ms Lorimer said the convention centre had recovered “particularly well” from covid and is forecast to reach revenues of 2019 levels next year.

According to the report, the convention centre had an economic impact on the district of £18.6 million for the covid-affected financial year 2021/2022, according to a new Visit Britain methodology.

Ms Lorimer added:

“Now the pandemic is over we are forecasting that the economic impact for 2022/23 should be close to £31 million which is excellent news.

“Our strategy is to focus on winning back larger, multi-day national and professional association conferences.

“Although the exhibitions industry has been in decline for many years, some of HCC’s events are actually growing post pandemic and Brexit. For example the Flooring Show and Nursery Fair have enjoyed a renaissance due to international supply issues caused by the pandemic and exhibitors deciding to promote in the UK.”

Paula Lorimer

Ms Lorimer said it had been “a very positive year”, adding:

“The current order book looks strong and we expect to reach budget for the year ending to 2022/23 on lettings. More encouragingly, the order book for lettings in 2023/34 has almost been achieved over 12 months out from the year commencing.”

Ms Lorimer said an investment in cosmetic improvements, such as new carpets and drapes, “has really paid dividends and now the team await a positive decision to progress with the redevelopment so that HCC can really maximise its full potential”.

The convention centre expects to hear next month whether its £20m Levelling Up funding bid has been successful.

The report adds:

“A final decision on whether to progress the redevelopment will be made by the new authority in summer 2023.”

New Harrogate district housing plan should not be ‘tickbox exercise’, says councillor

A new plan for housing across the Harrogate district should not be treated as “a tickbox exercise”, says a local councillor.

Senior councillors are set to back drawing up a new county-wide Local Plan ahead of the creation of North Yorkshire Council on April 1.

The blueprint would 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.

Cllr Arnold Warneken, a Green Party councillor on North Yorkshire County Council, told the Stray Ferret that the document had to look at the “bigger picture”.

He said the county council was in a position to be able to use the plan as a means of promoting sustainable homes, solar panels and affordable housing which is energy efficient.

Cllr Warneken said:

“We are not ticking boxes with this.

“We have to think of this as a bigger picture. It’s not just a case of putting this plan in place, it needs to be at the forefront of it all.”

Meanwhile, Cllr Stuart Parsons, leader of the North Yorkshire Independent group on the county council, said the plan should also include a ban on fracking.

He added that the blueprint needs to take into account rural areas and health inequalities.

North Yorkshire County Council will be recommended to approve creating a new county-wide strategy at a meeting of its executive on December 13.

Cllr Matt Walker, Liberal Democrat councillor for Knaresborough West, said the move to create one plan was “common sense”.

He said:

“It is just common sense that we would think again about how and where we develop now we are part of the new North Yorkshire authority.

“Harrogate and Knaresborough has seen a huge amount of building in recent years. It has put too much strain on our roads and health services. We do need good affordable local housing, but we have to have the infrastructure to go with it. Now we are one authority, we need one local plan that addresses these issues.”

Harrogate Town Council should oversee planning

Chris Watt, vice-chair of Harrogate and Knaresborough Labour party, said a Harrogate Town Council should be set up to oversee such planning matters.

He said:

“We need more genuinely affordable and sustainable homes, with proper provision of social housing and decent infrastructure.

“With more empty business premises due to the Tories crashing the economy, we should also be looking to see if any of those can be turned into affordable accommodation for people struggling with the cost of living crisis.

“We are concerned that without a new Harrogate Town Council in charge of these matters, decisions taken by the new North Yorkshire Council in Northallerton will ignore the needs of Harrogate and Knaresborough.”

ConservatIve Cllr Simon Myers, executive member for housing and growth on the council, said the plan would help towards the council’s “ambitious targets” on climate change.

He 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.”

Harrogate district Local Plan set to be scrapped

Harrogate Borough Council currently has its own Local Plan which outlines where development can take place across the district until 2035.

It is due to be reviewed by 2025 but this looks set to be scrapped because of the creation of a new unitary authority North Yorkshire Council and the abolition of Harrogate Borough Council on April 1.

However, a report to councillors who will decide whether to accept the recommendation says a review of the proposed Maltkiln development, which could see up to 4,000 homes built near Cattal, will continue as planned.

North Yorkshire Police needs £12m to meet rising costs, says commissioner

North Yorkshire Police needs £12 million extra funding to tackle rising costs, says the county’s crime commissioner.

Zoe Metcalfe, the Conservative North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, is currently consulting on her budget plans for police and fire services for 2023.

The commissioner’s office says the force has a budget of £191 million — 45% of which comes from council tax payers.

However, amid soaring inflation, the force requires an additional £12 million to meet salary increases and the rising cost of fuel and utilities.

Ms Metcalfe said she expects the government to allow her to increase the police’s share of council tax by £10 a year — a 3.6% rise for a band D property.

But she warned that this would only raise £3.1 million and “would likely lead to reductions in current levels of service delivery unless savings could be delivered”.

Ms Metcalfe said:

“One of my roles is to set the precepts for North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, something every commissioner has to do every year.

“It is never easy asking for more money, and I know that many individuals and families are facing financial pressures, but our emergency services are also dealing with rising costs as they continue their vital work to keep us all safe.

“This year is particularly challenging as I have to balance the burden on taxpayers and the growing demands for services from our police and fire and rescue services, so it’s vital that I hear your views.

“Please go online, take just a few minutes to have your say and I will ensure your views are reflected when decisions are made.”

Meanwhile, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue would require an additional £2 million for next year, the commissioner’s office estimates.

Ms Metcalfe said she expects the government will allow her to raise the fire precept by 3% – which would raise £700,000.

However, the commissioner’s office said this would be “significantly below inflation and would likely lead to reductions in current levels of service delivery”.

Ms Metcalfe is expected to outline her budget plans for fire and police services in February 2023.

The consultation into police and fire precepts closes on January 16, 2023. You can take part in the survey here.

Another Harrogate district school looks set to close

North Yorkshire County Council looks set to open a consultation on whether to close a school between Ripon and Boroughbridge.

Under the plan, Skelton Newby Hall Church of England Primary School would shut in August 2023. The council will recommend carrying out a consultation into the plans at a meeting on December 13.

A council report said numbers at the school has been “falling over the past few years” and there were concerns about the impact on pupils’ education.

As of this year, nine children and one nursery pupil were on roll at the school. It has capacity for 52.

The low number has meant key stage two teaching has been taking place at Sharow Church of England Primary School, which is federated with the school.

The report added:

“The governing body have been active in their collective efforts to raise numbers at the school through many initiatives over recent years including the introduction of nursery provision in September 2019, which has attracted some children to the school, although numbers have been small.

“Marketing of the school has been a collective effort by governors, staff and parents though this has not had a long-term result.”

The county council estimates pupil numbers “will not recover significantly in the longer term and may reduce still further”.

In autumn this year, the governing body of the school approached the county council to request a consultation on a closure.

The report added:

“This decision was not taken lightly by the governing body.

“The main issue was being able to provide such a small number of pupils with the rounded education that they deserve together with little prospect of future improvement in pupil numbers.”

The council has proposed that, should the school close, then the catchment area will be taken in by Kirby Hill Church of England Primary School.

A consultation into the closure will be held from January 2023, if approved. Senior county councillors will make a final decision whether to close the school next year.

Fourth school to close?

Skelton Newby Hall Church of England Primary School could become the fourth Harrogate district school to close in quick succession.

Kell Bank Church of England Primary School in Masham closed after 200 years in summer last year.

Baldersby St James Church of England Primary School, near Thirsk, closed in summer this year and Woodfield Community Primary School will shut this month.

However, governors at Fountains Earth Primary School in Upper Nidderdale withdrew their request for a consultation on closure this year and the school remain open.

New housing plan to be created for Harrogate district

A new Local Plan guiding where land can be used for housing and employment for decades to come is to be drawn up for North Yorkshire.

Harrogate Borough Council currently has its own Local Plan which outlines where development can take place across the district until 2035.

North Yorkshire County Council will be recommended to approve creating a new county-wide strategy at a meeting of its executive next week.

The new Local Plan would 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.

Cllr Carl Les, the Conservative leader of the authority, said:

“A robust Local Plan that sets out an ambitious vision and a clear framework for growth will ensure that we keep control of how and where development takes place.

“By ensuring a local focus, we can protect and enhance the quality of the places in which we live, creating sustainable economic growth and prosperous communities while safeguarding the natural and heritage assets that are such an important aspect of our county.”

Cllr Simon Myers, executive councillor for growth and housing, 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.”

Developer plans 24 homes in Summerbridge

Developers have lodged plans to build 24 homes in Summerbridge.

Nidderdale Estates Ltd submitted the proposal to Harrogate Borough Council to build the scheme on land at Braisty Wood off the B165.

It would see a mixture of one, two, three and four-bedroom homes built at the site, which is allocated for housing under the Harrogate district Local Plan 2014-2035.

The developer said in documents submitted to the council:

“A high quality development is proposed that will sit comfortably within the village and the AONB setting.

“The design and detail will build upon the qualities found within the local vernacular, creating a development with a sense of identity.”

Harrogate Borough Council will make a decision on the plan at a later date.

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