Harrogate district schools set to take part in Walk to School Day 2022

Local environmental group, Zero Carbon Harrogate, is set to hold its annual Walk to School Day for 2022.

The event will be held on Friday (October 7) with a focus on “building good transport habits”.

A further five walk to school days will be held in November, February, March, May and June.

This year, Zero Carbon Harrogate has changed the format of the walk to focus on taking part and building good transport habits, rather than calculating winners.

A spokesperson for the group said:

“This year, our strategy is slightly different. Instead of calculating winners and announcing our leaderboard, the event simply focuses on taking part, building good transport habits – ideally on a daily basis – and spreading the word.

“At the end of the 2022-2023 school year, we will present gold, silver and bronze certificate awards to all participating schools in the area, depending on the number of events they took part in over the academic year.”

The 28 schools taking part in the event on Friday are:

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Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district traffic update

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

However, commuters are braced for another day of strike action this coming weekend.

Here is your Stray Ferret traffic update.

Roads

While traffic is moving as normal, drivers should expect the usual queues on Harrogate’s Wetherby Road, Knaresborough Road and Skipton Road during rush hour this morning.

Meanwhile, overnight work on the A59 York Road, between Station Road and the A658 at Goldsborough, is expected to end today.

Montpellier Road in Harrogate remains closed until October 12 as Northern Gas Networks carries out maintenance work.

This week, temporary traffic lights are due in place on Cold Bath Road for five weeks as the company carries out maintenance work.

According to North Yorkshire County Council’s roadworks map, the measure will be in place from October 7.

At Blossomgate in Ripon, work is due to take place to replace and reset the kerb and improve the road.

Trains and buses

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

However, commuters will face further industrial action on Saturday (October 8) which may affect services from Harrogate and Knaresborough.

Northern, which operates the services, has urged passengers not to travel on strike days.

The strike action comes as rail passengers have also been warned to expect disruption on Harrogate’s LNER services from October 1 until October 9.

Major engineering works in the Newcastle area by Network Rail will affect many services on the LNER route during this period.

Meanwhile, the Harrogate Bus Company is reporting cancellations on its 1A and 1B services this morning.

You can find out more on the disruption to services here.

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‘Honest and ethical’ Harrogate law firm celebrates 10 year anniversary

This story is sponsored by Truth Legal.

A Harrogate law firm is celebrating supporting those most in need of legal advice for 10 years.

Truth Legal, which is based on Victoria Avenue, was founded by Andrew Gray back in 2012.

It was set up to help provide access to justice for those who may find the law difficult to navigate and has prided itself on having a “honest and ethical” ethos.

Since then, Truth Legal has gone onto support people for personal injury, clinical negligence, employment, small businesses and immigration cases and even expanded its client base into Leeds with a new office.

Georgina Parkin, the Managing Director at the firm, said the purpose of the company continues to be helping those people who find the law hard to access. She said:

She said:

“Truth Legal was set up in 2012 with the ethos of providing ethical and affordable access to justice. Access to justice has been reduced over the last 12 years with reductions in legal aid and increased court fees.”

“There has been a lot of changes to various areas of the law over the years, such as legal aid and employment tribunals.”

Georgina, who started out as a trainee back in 2013 before rapidly rising to director, is set to oversee the next milestone in the company’s history.

Truth Legal at their 10 year anniversary celebration.

Truth Legal at their 10 year anniversary celebration.

Along with Louis MacWilliam and Navya Shekhar, Georgina will take on majority control of the firm. Catherine Reynolds will continue in her role as a Director of the firm. Andrew will continue to provide support as a consultant.

Going forward, Truth Legal wants to undertake another ambitious recruitment drive and look at setting up another office.

It also intends to take on more social justice cases and expanding its immigration, employment and clinical negligence teams.

For Georgina, the mission of the firm will remain the same – providing access to justice for those who need it most.

For more information on Truth Legal and how to get in touch for legal advice, visit their website here or call 01423 788358.

Plan to build 48 homes in Masham submitted

Plans have been submitted to build 48 homes in Masham.

Loxley Homes, which is based in Leeds, has tabled the application which would see the houses built on land south of Swinton Lane.

A mixture of one, two, three and four-bedroom homes are included in the plans submitted to Harrogate Borough Council.

As part of the proposal, 19 of the houses would be allocated as affordable housing.

In documents submitted to the council, Loxley Homes said the development would help the authority to meet its housing need while also providing affordable housing.

It said:

“The development will provide additional ‘affordable’ homes for local people in housing need who would not otherwise be able to afford a home in this relatively expensive area.

“The development will provide a ‘mix’ of high quality and energy-efficient homes in a sustainable location.”

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

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Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district traffic update

Temporary lights are due to be put in place on Harrogate’s Cold Bath Road this week.

Meanwhile, commuters on Harrogate district trains face further disruption due to strike action.

Here is your Stray Ferret traffic update.

Roads

Traffic is moving as normal during rush hour on Wetherby Road, Knaresborough Road and Skipton Road this morning.

This week, temporary traffic lights are due in place on Cold Bath Road for five weeks as Northern Gas Networks carries out maintenance work.

According to North Yorkshire County Council’s roadworks map, the measure will be in place from October 7.

Meanwhile, the A59 York Road, between Station Road and the A658 at Goldsborough, remains closed overnight until October 6.

The closure will be in place between 8pm and 5am while North Yorkshire County Council carries out resurfacing work.

A diversion will be in place via Knaresborough, Ferrensby, Minskip to Boroughbridge.

As previously reported, a main road out of Pateley Bridge will be closed for six weeks as repairs are carried out at Fellbeck bridge on the B6265.

Signs for a diversion and a temporary crossing over the river for pedestrians and cyclists are in place.

Trains and buses

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

However, commuters will face further industrial action on Wednesday (October 5) and next Saturday (October 8) which may affect services from Harrogate and Knaresborough.

Northern, which operates the services, has urged passengers not to travel on strike days.

The strike action comes as rail passengers have also been warned to expect disruption on Harrogate’s LNER services from October 1 until October 9.

Major engineering works in the Newcastle area by Network Rail will affect many services on the LNER route during this period.

Meanwhile, the Harrogate Bus Company is reporting cancellations on its 1A, 1B, 1C, 7 and 36 services this morning.

You can find out more on the disruption to services here.

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Business Breakfast: Harrogate estate agents pledges to cut carbon emissions

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

A Harrogate district estate agents is to plant trees in Nidderdale to offset its carbon footprint.

Dacre Son & Hartley commissioned Mark Shayler, from consultants APE, to carry out an assessment of its carbon dioxide emissions.

The report covered the estate agency’s direct and indirect activities, right down to the impact of employee travel, purchased goods and services, before making recommendations to offset existing levels and setting reduction targets.

As a result, the estate agency has partnered with Make it Wild, a woodland management group, and pledged to plant native trees to offset the 111 tons of CO2 that the independent audit found the company produced each year across its 21 Yorkshire offices.

Head of residential at Dacre Son & Hartley, Patrick McCutcheon, said: 

“At Dacres we wish to play our part in helping to protect both the planet and our environment for future generations and recognise that the current initiative is just a small step on our sustainability path.”

Zoe Metcalfe, North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

Crime commissioner to address Harrogate business meeting

North Yorkshire’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner is set to face Harrogate district business leaders at a meeting next week.

Zoe Metcalfe will address a meeting of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce on October 10 where she will outline her priorities for the county’s fire and police services.

The meeting, which will also be open to first-time visitors, will also hear from former MI5 ‘spook’ Martin Smith MBE, who will focus on the implications of cyber security and hybrid working.

David Simister, chief executive of the chamber, said: 

“We are looking forward to welcoming both Zoë and Martin to our October meeting, when the focus will be law, order and cyber security.

“Policing is always a contentious issue, and whilst Harrogate has a relatively low crime rate compared to other towns in the country only this week did I read that seven bikes had been stolen from a Ripon cycle shop. Businesses are concerned by anti-social activity, theft and a lack of officers on the streets.

“Cybercrime is also a big fear for business, and with the post-covid rise in hybrid working, this is a major priority for businesses, particularly as the criminals get ever more sophisticated.”

The meeting will begin at 6.15pm. Those wishing to attend should register at the Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce website here.

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It’s Libraries Week – here’s what’s happening in the Harrogate district

A host of activities are set to take place in Harrogate district libraries to encourage lifelong learning.

Libraries Week will take place from October 3 until October 9 to highlight a wide range of services, resources and activities taking place in libraries.

Harrogate, Boroughbridge, Knaresborough and Ripon libraries will stage events next week.

They include:

Cllr Greg White, North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for libraries, said: 

“Libraries Week is an opportunity to showcase all of the fantastic activities the service has to offer. This year, it’s all about celebrating the role that libraries play in supporting life-long learning.

“Throughout the week a number of libraries will host an activities fair to encourage residents to find out more about local groups and events. There is so much to choose from so I would urge everyone to get involved.”

For more information on the events taking place, visit the North Yorkshire County Council website here.

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North Yorkshire devolution deal ‘third lowest’ in north, says IPPR North

North Yorkshire County Council has defended a £540 million devolution deal after a report found it to be the third lowest agreed across northern England.

A report by the think tank, IPPR North, analysed the deal in comparison with similar agreements struck in areas such as West Yorkshire and the Tees Valley.

The organisation looked at the proposed ‘gainshare’, which is the money provided by the government annually for the investment fund, and how it compared with other northern regions.

The report found that out of seven devolution agreements reached in the north of England, the North Yorkshire deal offered the third lowest investment funding per person.

The £540 million investment, which is spread out at £18 million per year over 30 years, came below the likes of South Yorkshire (£900m) and North of Tyne (£600m) in the analysis.

The analysis from IPPR North, which shows devolution investment funding over 30 years per person.

The analysis from IPPR North, which shows devolution investment funding per person. 

The report comes after county council leaders agreed the long-awaited deal with ministers to devolve more powers, including an elected mayor, to North Yorkshire and York, in August.

Rosie Lockwood and Marcus Johns, of the IPPR, carried out the research into the deal which is set to go out for consultation this year.

Ms Lockwood said the fund would not “come close” to covering losses in local government cuts. However, she added that any funding was a step forward.

She said:

“Clearly this, or any investment fund alone, does not come close to the losses communities across the North have experienced because of austerity. And when shown alongside the north’s other initial devolution deals, as we have compared below, the fund comes fifth of the seven initial deals for size of investment fund per person.

“Nevertheless, the investment fund is a step in the right direction. It is better that decisions about how to spend this money are taken locally, in line with local priorities.”

Northern Powerhouse analysis

County council leaders defended the deal and pointed out that it was “only the beginning” of devolution in the county.

Cllr Carl Les, leader of the authority, said the agreement would give local officials “a seat at the table” to be able to negotiate further funding and powers from ministers.

Responding to the IPPR North report, he said:

“One of the key elements of the deal is an investment totalling £540 million over a 30-year period, as it provides flexibility to target money to specific schemes on a far more local level. 

“While other devolution deals have secured larger figures of funding under their deals, this has to be placed in context, as this is simply just the start. 

“Any devolution deal is about getting a seat at the table to build close working relationships with the government and evolve the initial agreement to ensure even greater benefits can be brought. 

“As IPPR North acknowledges itself, this is not necessarily about where you begin, but where you’re going that counts – stating that a devolution deal is ‘just the beginning of a process that requires work, but has the potential to be transformative’.

“This means negotiating further deals in the future with the Government to bring even more decision-making powers and funding to York and North Yorkshire.”

Council officials also pointed to analysis by the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, a partnership group between civic leaders and businesses in the north of England.

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The research found that the £540 million investment would provide £23.31 per head of population per year across North Yorkshire and York — the second highest in the north.

It added that the only agreement which was higher was in North of Tyne, which amounted to £24.69 per person.

By comparison, the Liverpool City Region’s devolution deal provided £19.68 per head of population through the annual gainshare, while the figure is £10.88 in Greater Manchester.

Henri Murison, chief executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, said: 

“The £540 million which York and North Yorkshire has secured should go a long way towards transforming public services and driving up productivity in the region.

“Whether this means improving education and skills, providing better transport links, tackling climate change or ensuring better quality jobs and career opportunities, the funding under the investment fund is a vital resource for any devolution deal.

“Most importantly, the deal means the region gets a directly-elected mayor who will remain accountable to their voters.

“The very nature of devolution is about bespoke, local solutions which means that it’s normal to see some variation in what each authority has received in terms of funding.

“It’s also important to remember that the investment fund is just one element of any deal. Greater Manchester, for example, also has a housing investment fund.”

Scrutiny of North Yorkshire Police use of force ‘not good enough’, say inspectors

Scrutiny of North Yorkshire Police’s use of force in custody is “not good enough”, say inspectors.

An inspection report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services found that scrutiny and quality assurance could not show that force used was “necessary, justified and proportionate”.

Inspectors also found that recording in custody records was “often poor” and important information, including reasons for decisions such as the removal of clothing, is “sometimes missing”.

They added that a review of CCTV found that incidents “weren’t always managed well, and techniques weren’t always used correctly”.

In a report published today, inspectors said:

“The force’s governance and oversight of the use of force in custody isn’t good enough.

“Although there is some scrutiny and quality assurance of incidents, the information that supports this scrutiny is inaccurate.

“This means North Yorkshire Police can’t show that when force is used in custody it is necessary, justified and proportionate.”

However, the report did find that officers interacted respectfully with detainees and were “patient and reassuring”.

It also found that the standard of care offered by custody staff to detainees was “very good”.

The inspection was carried out into the force’s custody suites during June and July this year. There are custody suites in York, Harrogate and Scarborough

In the report, inspectors raised two causes for concern which included scrutiny of use of force and managing detainee risk.

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Recommendations were made to improve scrutiny of use of force and to mitigate the risk of detainees in custody.

Police response

elliot foskett

In response to the report, Elliot Foskett, North Yorkshire’s assistant chief constable (pictured above), said:

“We welcome the HMICFRS report, as it helps us to further understand how we can continue to improve our custody provision here in North Yorkshire Police.

“Working within the legislative framework, our absolute priority is the safety and welfare of detainees, avoiding any adverse level of risk.

“It is acknowledged that some processes, such as the recording of information, are not of the highest possible standard and this is something we have already started to look at.

“We are pleased the HMICFRS has recognised we have good measures in place to oversee the safe and respectful provision of custody.

“It’s also good to see the acknowledgement of the good work of our custody staff in relation to how they deal with detainees respectfully, patiently, and reassuringly, recognising the array of diverse needs.”

Teenagers charged after PCSOs allegedly assaulted in Harrogate McDonald’s

Two teenage girls are to appear in court after police officers were allegedly assaulted in McDonald’s in Harrogate.

The incident happened at the restaurant on Cambridge Road on April 1 this year.

North Yorkshire Police said two community support officers were allegedly assaulted while responding to an incident at around 7pm.

A 13 year-old and 15-year-old girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, have been charged and will appear in court on October 28.

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Another girl, 14, was referred to a youth outcomes panel following the incident and was dealt with by an out of court police disposal.

The panel, which is a partnership between police, North Yorkshire Youth Justice Service and York Youth Offending Team, decides what action, if any, is most appropriate to pursue.

It encourages a restorative approach with victims and looks to address the causes of the young person’s offending.