Harrogate rough sleepers are being offered support, says council leader

The leader of Harrogate Borough Council has assured people that support is being offered to rough sleepers on Oxford Street.

In a statement to last night’s council cabinet meeting, Cllr Richard Cooper said he was aware of concern regarding drinking, street begging and rough sleeping at the back of Primark.

Cllr Cooper said that “to the best of the council’s knowledge” three “entrenched, long-term” rough sleepers have been sleeping in the area.

He said they had been offered various accommodation options, including Fern House in Starbeck, which is the council’s move-on accommodation for rough sleepers, a bed and breakfast in Knaresborough and a two-bedroom council house, but all were turned down.

Cllr Cooper added that temporary accommodation was later accepted, but the occupants left.

He said:

“Unfortunately, that accommodation was extensively damaged by the occupants who had to leave it and are now sleeping rough again.

“I know that caring members of the public are leaving food and coffees behind Primark for the group that are gathered there.

“Now, that is often a much larger number than the three rough sleepers I mentioned earlier.”

Cllr Cooper added: 

“I can assure people that many of those gathered there and on Bower Street, where we have seen similar issues, have their own accommodation provided by housing associations or the council, which they can use.

“I can’t fault and would never fault people for demonstrating their compassion. I would just say that extensive support with healthcare, washing, cooked meals and medical support is available a few yards away in the Springboard facility in the Wesley Chapel.

“If people have spare cash to support Springboard, which is run by Harrogate Homeless Project, or Harrogate Street Aid through the various terminals around town, then this may be a more long-term way to provide the help that is required.”

Read more:

Cllr Cooper, who is a trustee of Harrogate Homeless Project, said the council, along with businesses and other organisations, would continue to support rough sleepers.

He added the help will include drawing up a plan as “a town centre community rather than individual organisations” to identify how to get support to those people.

Concern over homelessness 

In August, council bosses raised concern over a “perfect storm” of homelessness in Harrogate due to the cost of living crisis and lack of accommodation.

The authority revealed a “huge” 60% increase in requests for housing help, which has led to more homeless people staying in bed and breakfasts for longer.

The council also said it has had difficulties in moving hostel tenants into permanent housing as cases have been “more complex than normal”.

Speaking at the time, Trevor Watson, director of economy and culture at the council, said these issues combined with a lack of private rental properties in the district were creating a “perfect storm”.

Harrogate BID manager to remain in post

Harrogate Business Improvement District has confirmed that manager Matthew Chapman will remain at the organisation.

Mr Chapman announced in September that he was due to leave the BID to take up a position at North Yorkshire Council.

However, the organisation has now confirmed that Mr Chapman will no longer be leaving.

Sara Ferguson, Harrogate BID chair said: 

“Following a change of heart, Matthew Chapman will now not be leaving Harrogate BID.

“This is extremely good news for us and Harrogate town centre businesses, and we look forward to continuing the relationship developed over the last 18 months.”

Read more:

Mr Chapman, who took up the role in May last year, was previously Leeds BID operations manager in 2016 before becoming Huddersfield’s BID manager in November 2019.

Businesses within Harrogate’s town centre pay the BID 1.5% of their rateable value a year on top of their usual business rates.

Harrogate BID brings in around £500,000 from local firms, which it spends on projects to improve the town centre and increase the number of visitors.

During Mr Chapman’s 18 months in Harrogate, BID campaigns include power washing 80,000 square metres of the town centre, painting drab walls with colourful murals and buying more than 500 pieces of outdoor furniture for businesses to use.

Sports hub included in revised plans for new Harrogate district town

A new sports hub and playing fields have been added to plans for a new settlement in the Harrogate district.

The new town, called Maltkiln, will have up to 4,000 homes and is earmarked for the Cattal and Green Hammerton area.

It is also expected to include two primary schools, shops and a GP surgery.

Amendments to the latest plans show that a sports hub with playing pitches is now included in the proposals.

According to documents on Harrogate Borough Council’s planning portal, the hub was included following discussions with Sport England, which had objected to the proposal amid clarity on contributions for sports facilities.

An updated planning statement from developer Caddick said:

“Sport England also issued a holding objection awaiting additional information on the proposed sports facilities and any off-site contributions to enhance existing sports facilities.

“Discussions have been held with Sports England about what additional details they require. The scheme will deliver a new 3.6ha sports hub comprising pitches, car parking and an associated building providing changing, toilet and refurbishment facilities.

“In addition, youth pitches are provided within the primary schools.”

Read more:

The move comes amid concerns about a current six-week council consultation on the new development plan document that provides broad details about the new settlement.

Cllr Arnold Warneken, a Green Party councillor on North Yorkshire County Council, called for the consultation to be extended or started again. after it emerged the documents had been changed midway through – without people being told.

The move has heightened concerns among residents in the area affected that the planning process is being rushed before Harrogate Borough Council is abolished on April 1. They say allowing more time would increase support for the process and show transparency.

Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district update

Roadworks on the A59 York Road near Goldsborough are continuing to cause delays for drivers.

Here is your Stray Ferret traffic update.

Roads

Drivers should be aware that traffic lights on the A59 York Road near the junction with the A658 near Goldsborough are causing delays for drivers during rush hour.

As reported by the Stray Ferret, three-way lights at the junction with the A658 saw queueing traffic for motorists yesterday morning.

Yorkshire Water is carrying out work to lay a new water main for a housing development.

According to North Yorkshire County Council’s roadmap, the work is due to remain until November 27.

Drivers are urged to allow extra time if using the route this morning.

Meanwhile, motorists should expect the usual traffic on Harrogate’s Wetherby Road, Knaresborough Road and Skipton Road this morning.

Northern Powergrid is expected to put in place temporary lights on the A61 Leeds Road in Pannal.

The lights are due to remain until November 11.

Drivers should also be aware of temporary lights on the A61 Ripon Road near Kent Road. City Fibre is carrying out work until November 13.

Trains and buses

This morning, Northern services between Harrogate and Knaresborough going to York and Leeds are scheduled to run as normal.

Meanwhile, Harrogate Bus Company is currently reporting no cancellations on its services this morning. You can get updates here.

Read more:

 

Business Breakfast: Knaresborough marketing agency makes three new appointments

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

A Knaresborough marketing and PR agency has announced three new appointments amid continued growth.

Allott and Associates, which has offices at Claro Chambers, has made the recruitment after securing new accounts from both UK and international companies.

Emily Evans has joined as an account manager, Beth Hamby as a PR executive and Josie Bridson as a marketing assistant.

Emily said:

“I’m thrilled to be part of the Allotts team. 

“Despite these challenging times the company is going from strength to strength. I love the can-do philosophy that helps clients get the best results.”

Director Carol Rees said: 

“I’m so pleased to be welcoming Emily, Beth and Josie to Allotts and I’m confident that they will make valuable contributions to the continuing success of the agency.

“Despite the challenges both at home and abroad, we continue to invest in all aspects of the business to deliver effective and fully integrated PR and marketing campaigns, which are enabling our clients to continue winning new work in multiple market sectors.”

Read more:

Harrogate Bus Company to mark remembrance

Harrogate Bus Company has announced that its buses will adorn commemorative poppies to mark this year’s Remembrance Day.

The poppies will be prominently displayed on the front of buses on routes covering hundreds of miles every day across the Harrogate district and into West Yorkshire.

ictured from left are: Terry Wood, President, Royal British Legion; veterans Brian Whittaker and John Mainland; and Transdev engineers Patrick Mclaughlin and Stephen Buckley.

Pictured from left are: Terry Wood, President, Royal British Legion; veterans Brian Whittaker and John Mainland; and Transdev engineers Patrick Mclaughlin and Stephen Buckley.

The company will also provide free travel on Remembrance Day this Friday (November 11) and Remembrance Sunday (November 13) to all current service personnel with forces ID, and to veterans in uniform or with their medal.

CEO of parent firm Transdev, Alex Hornby said:

“With financial challenges currently affecting many veterans and their families in the communities we serve, it’s more important than ever that we continue our support for the excellent work done by the Royal British Legion.

“We hope that by prominently showing our support for the Poppy Appeal on our buses, many of our customers will join us in contributing to this excellent cause.

“We want to remember those who gave their lives for our freedom, and to support those living with the impact of conflict today. All our teams at our depots across the North are fully behind this.”

Call for council to oppose fracking in North Yorkshire

Calls have been made for North Yorkshire County Council to oppose fracking in the county.

Two motions will be submitted to the authority’s full council next week urging officials to recognise the practice is “inappropriate” for the area.

North Yorkshire is regarded as a potential rich source of shale gas.

But councillors have claimed that supporting fracking would contradict the council’s own carbon reduction policies as well the council’s declaration of a climate emergency in July.

A motion submitted by Green Party Cllr Arnold Warneken, who represents Ouseburn, calls on the local authority to oppose fracking across the county.

The motion will say:

“This council believes that there is firm scientific evidence that fracking for oil and gas is incompatible with the need to achieve net zero carbon emissions sufficiently rapidly to avoid climate breakdown.

“Furthermore it is in direct conflict with the council’s carbon reduction plan and the emerging climate change strategy, therefore North Yorkshire County Council in line with the current government’s policy is opposed to fracking in North Yorkshire.”

Read more:

A separate Liberal Democrat motion will also call on the council to make Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and ministers “fully aware” that it will not support fracking in the county.

The government recently declared that it would only support the practice in areas where there is support for it.

However, Mr Sunak has pledged that a ban on fracking would be reinstated after it was lifted by former Prime Minister Liz Truss.

Harrogate BID cleaning ‘grot spots’ ahead of Christmas

Harrogate Business Improvement District has started a town centre clean up ahead of Christmas celebrations.

Crews have been steam cleaning and power washing ‘grot spots’ across the town.

The targeted areas include Parliament Street, Cambridge Crescent, Oxford Street, James Street, John Street, Albert Street and Station Square.

Christmas will see an ice rink in Crescent Gardens, the return of the Candy Cane Express, Harrogate Christmas Fayre, a shop window competition, an observation wheel and free parking.

The BID charges town centre businesses a levy, which it uses to improve the town centre and increase footfall.

Sara Ferguson, Harrogate BID chair, said: 

“With the countdown to Christmas well underway, we want Harrogate to be looking at its best, hence deploying our cleaning team.

“Using low water volume, high pressure steam cleaning, they are working evenings this week tackling high footfall areas. And with Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday just days away, the team are also cleaning paths and street furniture around the town centre war memorial.”

Read more:

The work of the cleaning team, from UK Nationwide Cleaning, compliments the efforts of street ranger Chris Ashby, whose daily regime includes power-washing, weeding, painting and litter-picking.

Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district update

Traffic is moving as normal in the Harrogate district this morning.

Drivers should allow time for the usual rush hour traffic on Harrogate district’s main routes.

Here is your Stray Ferret traffic update.

Roads

Motorists should expect the usual traffic on Harrogate’s Wetherby Road, Knaresborough Road and Skipton Road this morning.

Northern Powergrid is expected to put in place temporary lights on the A61 Leeds Road in Pannal today.

The lights are due to remain until November 11.

Meanwhile, a closure on Cambridge Road near Tesco in Harrogate town centre is still in place while Northern Powergrid lays a new connection in the area.

The closure is expected to remain until November 11.

Traffic lights on the A59 York Road near the junction with the A658 in Knaresborough are due to remain in place until November 11.

Yorkshire Water has installed four-way traffic lights as it lays a new water main for a housing development.

Drivers are urged to allow extra time if using the route this morning.

Trains and buses

This morning, Northern services between Harrogate and Knaresborough going to York and Leeds are scheduled to run as normal.

Meanwhile, Harrogate Bus Company is currently reporting no cancellations on its services this morning. You can get updates here.

Read more:

 

Business Breakfast: Reed Boardall awarded top ranking for product safety

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

Boroughbridge firm Reed Boardall has achieved top ranking for its product safety and best practice.

The Brand Reputation Compliance Global Standard audit awarded the company an AA+ rating.

The certification entails an annual audit covering compliance in hazard and risk analysis, vehicle operating standards, product quality and safety management.

Vicki Rushworth, site quality manager at Reed Boardall, said: 

“This industry-leading accreditation provides another layer of reassurance for our customers, adding the benefit of visibility of food safety and integrity in the supply chain. 

“It also reduces some of the audit burden on customers as the BRCGS seal of approval assures them of Reed Boardall’s compliance.

“To elect for a 20-hour unannounced audit as we did, is a demonstration of total confidence in the robust systems we have in place and that the site operates to the BRCGS’s rigorous standards of product safety 24/7.”

Marcus Boardall, chief executive of Reed Boardall, added: 

“Over the last 30 years, Reed Boardall has played an active role in driving up standards within the food industry.

“Our latest BRCGS AA+ rating gives customers the additional peace of mind of knowing that the most rigorous procedures for ensuring product safety are embedded in our business and that we are committed to continuous quality improvement.”

Read more:

Harrogate law firm founder to retire

The founder of Harrogate law firm Jones Myers is set to retire after a 42-year career.

Peter Jones founded the company back in 1992 as the sole practitioner specialising in marital difficulties.

He soon attracted fellow family lawyers, who shared his ethos in resolving relationship breakdowns in a non-confrontational and constructive way.

Peter Jones, founder of Jones Myers Family Law.

Peter Jones, founder of Jones Myers Family Law.

The law firm now has offices on Victoria Avenue in Harrogate, as well as in Leeds and York.

Mr Jones was also a founder member and former national chair of Resolution, the national association of family lawyers which now has over 6,500 members.

He also chaired its accreditation committee, which remains at the forefront of developing high academic standards and promoting excellence in family law.

Appointed a Deputy District Judge, Mr Jones served in that judicial capacity for 15 years, during which time he also lectured nationally in family law. He qualified in 2012 as one of the country’s first Family Law Arbitrators.

Mr Jones said:

“It has been a privilege to play a part in the evolution of family law since qualifying in 1980 and to have made a real difference to the lives of the valued clients.

“I am immensely proud of the development and expansion of Jones Myers and the consistently high quality of its constructive guidance and client support. The firm has a reputation for attracting the best family lawyers in its field and I am confident of the practice’s continued success as it goes from strength to strength.”

‘Real solutions’ needed to west of Harrogate congestion, say residents

Residents in Pannal have called for “real solutions” to congestion amid an upcoming “explosion in housing” in the west of Harrogate.

Thea area is set to see up to 2,500 new homes built over the next two decades.

North Yorkshire County Council and Harrogate Borough Council are currently working on the West Harrogate Infrastructure Delivery Strategy, which looks at how the area will cope with increased homes.

The strategy is part of the wider proposals for the area and builds upon the West Harrogate Parameters Plan, which sets out how the area’s infrastructure and services will look.

However, Pannal and Burn Bridge Parish Council has said some of the measures planned by the county council, which include junction modifications, “will do nothing” to ease congestion and called for “real solutions” to the problem.

John Mann, a Conservative county councillor representing Pannal and Oatlands, spoke on behalf of the parish council at a county council executive meeting today.

Cllr Mann (pictured) said an increase in homes would have an impact on local road infrastructure, including the A61 towards Leeds and Bradford.

He said:

“New or vastly improved roads are required, not merely a few modified junctions.

“Previous consultation meetings have been little more than Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council outlining a few junction modifications plans plus a great deal of promotion for cycle and pedestrian paths, plus increased bus services that would not come into operation until all the developments are finished.

“Active travel and buses in and out of Harrogate from the west of Harrogate developments will do nothing to alleviate the daily commute, rat running and school runs through our parish.”

Read more:

In response, Cllr Keane Duncan, executive county councillor for access, said 

“The county council is working to address congestion in and around Harrogate now and in advance of the planned development in the west of Harrogate, which will see an extra 2,500 homes constructed between now and 2035.

“This major strategic development is key to providing much needed housing and promoting Harrogate’s future economic growth, as is the proposed Maltkiln development.

“It is vital therefore that the council continues essential work on both of these schemes in parallel.

“While the west of Harrogate development is spread over several sites and a number of separate planning applications, a unified approach is being taken for the delivery of essential infrastructure and mitigation of traffic impacts.

“We are working with the land promoters and their consultants, who have been instructed to look at traffic impacts cumulatively and this will be documented in a transport strategy.”

Cllr Keane Duncan, executive councillor for access at North Yorkshire County Council.

Cllr Keane Duncan, executive councillor for access at North Yorkshire County Council.

Cllr Duncan added that a “number of junctions” had already been identified for improvement, which would be paid for by developers.

He said further consultation on infrastructure would be held with resident groups and parish councils.

The move comes after the Stray Ferret revealed that North Yorkshire County Council appointed RPS Consulting Services Limited to oversee a review of junction improvements in the west of Harrogate.

The Oxfordshire company was awarded £200,000 as part of the contract.

Park and ride plans still in the works

Meanwhile, Cllr Duncan said work on a park and ride for Harrogate was “still in the feasibility stage” and no decision on its site had been made.

The scheme has long been seen as part of the solution to congestion in the town.

The county council said previously that the plans would take around six months to assess and could be published next year.

Cllr Duncan said today:

“Given this, it would be wrong to rule out or rule in any particular site at this stage”