Calvin Robinson Chief Reporter, Author at The Stray Ferret

MPs Watch: Ukraine, Kex Gill and sewage

Every month the Stray Ferret tries to find out what our local MPs have been up to in their constituencies and in the House of Commons.

In February, the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, made a speech to MPs in the lead up to the first anniversary of the war with Russia. Major decisions were made on Kex Gill and Ripon Barracks. Meanwhile, concern was once again raised about sewage into rivers.

We asked Harrogate & Knaresborough MP, Andrew Jones, Ripon MP Julian Smith, and Selby and Ainsty MP Nigel Adams if they would like to highlight anything in particular, but we did not receive a response from any of them.

Here is what we know after analysing their online presence.

Andrew Jones, Harrogate and Knaresborough MP.

In Harrogate and Knaresborough, here is what we found on Mr Jones:

On February 3, Andrew Jones visited Windsor House in Harrogate, which recently has undergone refurbishment.
Mr Jones wrote to North Yorkshire Police chief constable, Lisa Winward, following a crash on Yew Tree Lane which saw two teenagers seriously injured. He called for traffic calming measures in the Pannal Ash area.
He called for a debate in Parliament over access to grassroots sport after meeting with the Football Foundation and Pannal Ash Junior Football Club.
Mr Jones urged greater cooperation between developers on February 10 after residents raised concerns over unfinished road surfaces, poor drainage and inadequate street lighting on new estates.
On February 16, Mr Jones described criticism of his voting record on sewage as “ridiculous”. His comments came as concern was raised over the overflow of sewage into rivers.
On February 27, Mr Jones asked ministers in the House of Commons what more could be done to remove barriers for adults deciding to restudy and update their skills.

Julian Smith, MP for Ripon and Skipton.

In Ripon, here is what we found on Mr Smith:

Mr Smith met with teachers from the UK parliament teacher ambassador programme on February 3.
On February 8, Mr Smith attended a talk in Westminster Hall speech by Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Mr Smith described him as “the ultimate war leader”.
On the same day, Mr Smith published a letter from the Ministry of Defence confirming that Claro Barracks in Ripon will remain operational until later 2026. Part of the barracks are subject to planning permission for new housing.
Mr Smith made one spoken contribution in the House of Commons in February on the Northern Ireland protocol. He paid tribute to John Caldwell who was shot in Omagh.
On February 23, Mr Smith welcomed the government’s decision to approve a final business case for the A59 Kex Gill realignment.

Nigel Adams, MP for Selby and Ainsty which includes rural Harrogate.

In rural south Harrogate, he is what we found on Mr Adams:

On February 7, Mr Adams described the appointment of Lee Anderson MP as the new Conservative Party chairman as a “clever appointment” by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Mr Adams tweeted on February 8 that planes should be supplied to Ukraine after a speech by President Zelenskyy
Mr Adams posted no new updates on his website in February.
He made no spoken contributions in the House of Commons during February.

Business Breakfast: Harrogate care provider extends Leigh Leopards sponsorship

It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. The third in our series of networking events in association with The Coach and Horses in Harrogate is a lunch event on March 30 from 12.30pm.

Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

A Harrogate district care company has extended its sponsorship of rugby league side Leigh Leopards.

Homes Together Ltd, which is based on Victoria Avenue in Harrogate, will continue to sponsor the Super League club into the new season.

It will see the care provider be the main shirt sponsor for the next two years.

The renewed deal will see Homes Together sponsor the men’s team, women’s team, youth team, and the learning disabilities team.

Speaking about the sponsorship decision, David Ashton-Jones, managing director at Homes Together Ltd, said:

“Our partnership and relationship with Leigh Leopards has been a huge success and opened up so many opportunities for our staff and service users. The club have been big supporters of the work we’re trying to do in bringing new experiences to our service users and show that sport can and should be enjoyed by all.

“We quickly saw that there were other ways for us to grow our partnership and give our support to members of the club. We look forward to seeing what the new season will bring for us all.”

Mike Latham, chairman of Leigh Leopards, said:

“Having Homes Together as main shirt sponsor to the first team is wonderful and we very much value their tremendous support and involvement. This support has now been extended further and demonstrates their commitment and also their faith and belief in us as a club.

“As a supporter for over 50 years, the club historian and now the proud chairman I know how much the club means to the local community and we are determined to ensure we continue to strive for excellence in all we set out to achieve, while remaining accessible, friendly and inclusive.

“I see all those qualities in our highly valued partners Homes Together who strive to create better lives for people and continually strive for excellence in a caring and professional manner. Hearing of their business ethos, their values and their ambitions is inspiring, and to have the company aligned to ours as main sponsor makes me very proud.”

Harrogate chamber meeting to focus on connectivity

The spotlight will be on connectivity in business at the next meeting of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce.

Held on March 13 at the Kings Suite at Harrogate Convention Centre, will hear from speakers about initiatives on broadband connectivity and the public highway – both topics important to businesses.

Speakers at the monthly business event will be Alastair Taylor, CEO of NYnet; Dr Kim Johnston, regional partnership director, consumer at City Fibre and Cllr Keane Duncan, North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for highways and transport.

David Simister, Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce chief executive, said:

“The thread for our March meeting is the highway, be it super or public, with each of the speakers giving an overview as to current developments in the Harrogate District.

“Connectivity and superfast broadband speeds are what businesses expect as the norm these days, and anything less could impact on them being able to function properly, and even lose them work.

“We expect Cllr Duncan to give an update on the Harrogate Station Gateway Project – three years after it was first put before the business community.”

Members and first time visitors wishing to attend the March meeting are asked to register their attendance in advance via the Chamber’s new website here.

A networking session will start from 5.30pm and speakers will begin at 6.15pm.

Two men arrested on suspicion of conspiring to steal vehicles in Harrogate

Police have arrested two men on suspicion of conspiring to steal vehicles in Harrogate.

Officers acting on intelligence stopped a grey Seat Leon on Leeds Road near Pannal on Friday (February 24) at about 8pm after observing the men behaving suspiciously, North Yorkshire Police said in a statement today.

The statement said the suspects, both in their 30s, were getting out of the car and approaching other vehicles in Harrogate.

It added:

“Both occupants and the car itself were searched by officers, and a number of tools including pliers and screwdrivers were located.

“As a result, both men – aged in their 30s and from Leeds – were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to steal motor vehicles.”

Both men have been released on bail pending police enquiries.

Police reassure Harrogate councillors over knife crime concerns

North Yorkshire Police has sought to reassure people that Harrogate does not have a worse problem with knife crime than other places.

Councillors questioned police about the issue last night after 17-year-old Seb Mitchell lost his life on Claro Road following an incident on February 19.

Rich Ogden, chief inspector at the force, told Harrogate Borough Council‘s overview and scrutiny commission the county was one of the safest in England. However, he added that the force continued to work with young people to educate them not to carry knives.

The meeting heard 98 knives have been dropped off at an amnesty bin in Dragon Road car park at Asda in Harrogate since it was installed in January.

When asked by Cllr Chris Aldred, chair of the committee, whether Harrogate had a problem with knife crime, Ch Insp Ogden said:

“We are living in one of the safest counties in England and we must not forget that.

“Any incident involving a knife can end in tragedy.”

He added:

“I don’t see that Harrogate has a problem more than anywhere else.

“But it would be wrong of me to say that knives are prevalent on the streets. We’ve got to encourage people not to use knives and carry knives at any point. Particularly those who take knives out for their own protection.”

Ch Insp Ogden added that a large amount of the knives that have been dropped off in the amnesty bin were household kitchen knives and that the facility helped the public to dispose of them safely.

Superintendent Teresa Lam told the committee:

“Even though we are considered the safest force area, we continually liaise with our counterparts across the country including London so that we are continually understanding what the trends and patterns are.”

A 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was initially charged with attempted murder on February 20. He is due to appear in court on March 14. Ch Insp Ogden told the meeting it was now a murder investigation.

Pateley Bridge Cemetery set for expansion

Harrogate Borough Council looks set to buy land near Pateley Bridge Cemetery to increase burial space for the next 300 years.

Graham Swift, cabinet member for resources at the authority, will be asked next week to approve spending £32,500 to purchase 2.5 acres of land in the town.

James Bean, estates surveyor at the council, said in a report that the cemetery is expected to reach capacity for burials in the next two years.

He added that land next to the current cemetery, which is owned by Pateley Bridge Town Council, would be suitable to expand the site.

Mr Bean said:

“The cemetery at Pateley Bridge is soon to reach capacity and a solution for its longer term use needs to be established.

“Colleagues in the bereavement services team have identified an area of land next to the cemetery for possible expansion which would provide burial space for over 300 years.”

The land earmarked for purchase next to Pateley Bridge Cemetery.

Mr Bean added that the site would require planning consent following the purchase in order for the cemetery to expand.

A decision to acquire the land will be made at a cabinet member for resources meeting on March 7, 2023.

Council spending on agency staff rises sevenfold to £5m

North Yorkshire County Council is set to spend nearly £5 million on agency staff pay this year.

In a report due before the council’s overview and scrutiny committee, the authority forecasts its spend on agency workers has increased from £716,389 in 2020/21 to about £5 million in 2022/23.

Spending reached £4,282,458 in the first three quarters of this year.

Justine Brooksbank, assistant chief executive for business support at the council, said in the report:

“Agency staff are used only in circumstances when all other options have been exhausted, however increasingly scarce labours markets has resulted in the increased use of agency solutions.”

Ms Brooksbank added:

“While this is a significant increase, agency spend remains low compared to other local authorities.

“For instance, other regional council spend: Rotherham £7.47m, York £9.5m, Leeds £10m, Bradford £17m.

“The largest increases in agency use are due to increasing demand for care workers, social workers and occupational therapists in health and adult services, and for educational psychologists, social workers and children’s residential care workers in children’s services due to both recruitment challenges and increased activity.”

The report said that labour market pressures, particularly in the social care sector, had caused problems with recruiting and retaining staff – which then led to higher agency spend.

It says:

“It has been another demanding and unusual year dominated by a range of service pressures, particularly in the health and social care sector, labour market pressures causing recruitment and retention pressures and higher agency spend, covid and other causes of sickness absence.”

Harrogate and Knaresborough Lib Dems call for government to step in on energy bills

Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrats have called for the government to cancel plans for a hike in the average household energy bill from April.

The call comes as the energy price cap is set to reduce from £4,279 to £3,280, but bills are still expected to rise by £500 to an average of £3,000 a year.

The government’s own energy price guarantee is expected to be less generous and a £400 winter discount is set to end.

Local Lib Dems have called on ministers to step in and offer a new support package for businesses, leisure centres, schools and hospitals across Harrogate and Knaresborough.

Tom Gordon, the Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate for Harrogate and Knaresborough, said:

“The Conservatives’ plan to hike energy bills in April will come as a hammer blow to families in Harrogate and Knaresborough already struggling with soaring mortgages and rents, shopping bills and tax rises.

“With no plan to deal with this cost of living crisis for people or businesses, this chaotic, out-of-touch Government is instead making it much worse because they just don’t get it.

“People need real support and that’s what the Liberal Democrats are calling for. Sadly, to add insult to injury Rishi Sunak is happy for energy bosses to rake in millions of pounds in bonanza bonuses, while families struggle to put food on the table or heat their homes.”

The Lib Dems claim its plans would mean that in Harrogate and Knaresborough the average household would be £522.94 better off and would be funded by raising the rate of the windfall tax on the profits of oil and gas firms from 35% to 40%.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt told the BBC this month that he believed the government did not have the “headroom to make a major new initiative to help people”.

Speaking after the latest setting of the energy price cap, Jonathan Brearley, chief executive of Ofgem, said:

“Although wholesale prices have fallen, the price cap has not yet fallen below the planned level of the energy price guarantee.

“This means, that on current policy, bills will rise again in April. I know that, for many households this news will be deeply concerning.”

The Stray Ferret approached Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, Andrew Jones, for comment.

Rudding Park unveils golf and country club renovation plan

Rudding Park Hotel and Spa in Harrogate has unveiled plans to renovate its golf and country club and restore its walled garden.

The hotel has drawn up the plans with planning consultants, Carter Jonas, as part of a refurbishment of its estate.

They include proposals to replace the current golf club, upgrade its family hub and the creation of outdoor tennis courts and a pavilion.

It would also see the county’s first five-star country club created.

The plans also seek to restore the estate’s walled garden.

Masterplan of the renovations as proposed by Rudding Park.

Designs for the renovation were unveiled at a consultation event at Rudding Park on Friday (February 23).

Sarah Cox, partner at Carter Jonas, said:

“We are keen to show that you have owners here who are keen to invest in the site.”

She added that the move to restore the site would also see 10,000 trees planted and three wetland areas created.

The consultants estimate that the proposals could generate an economic benefit of £14 million a year to Harrogate and create 75 new jobs.

In its proposals, Rudding Park said:

“Over the last 50 years, Rudding Park has become the standard bearer for quality hospitality in Harrogate, and positions Harrogate as a UK wide and international tourist destination.

“To build on that legacy the business must evolve.”

An outline planning application will be submitted to Harrogate Borough Council later this month.

You can find out more information on the plans at Rudding Park here.

Harrogate Grammar School pays tribute to Seb Mitchell

Harrogate Grammar School has paid tribute to a pupil who died this past week.

Seb Mitchell, 17, died following an incident on Claro Road on February 19. He died in hospital two days later.

Paying tribute to Seb, Harrogate Grammar School said it was “impossible to find the right words”.

It linked to a GoFundMe page set up for Seb’s family and urged people to donate.

The school said in a post on its social media:

“Sometimes it is impossible to find the right words. Please donate, if you can, to support Seb’s family to raise funds for a memorial.

“Something to remember and never forget a special young man who loved his family & friends so very much. He will be missed.”

The fundraiser has so far raised £13,975.

The page, which has been set up by Sam Mitchell, said:

Donations will go towards a memorial for us all to remember him by. Any additional funds raised will be donated to a relevant charity (or charities) to be chosen by the family.

We would like to thank you all for all of the kind words and messages we have received and are receiving.

North Yorkshire Police has launched a murder inquiry following Seb’s death.

A 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was initially charged with attempted murder on February 20. He is due to appear in court on March 14.

Teachers in Harrogate district set to strike for second time

Teachers in the Harrogate district are set to go on strike tomorrow.

Members of the National Education Union will walk out on Tuesday in a dispute over pay and conditions.

The union argues a 5% pay rise in 2022 was insufficient to combat the impact of inflation at 10%, leaving many teachers effectively facing a pay cut.

The move will affect education across the district, with some pupils taking lessons remotely.

How Harrogate district schools are affected

Harrogate Grammar School pupils in years 10, 11 and 13 will be asked to attend school as normal.

However, those in years 7, 8, 9 and 12 will take lessons remotely where a teacher is not on strike.

Meanwhile, St Aidan’s Church of England High School has told parents it will “endeavour to provide their usual suite of lessons” for those who are required to attend school.

Years 8, 10 and 11 have been told they should take lessons at home, while years 7 and 9 should attend as normal.

The school has told year 12 pupils that while they are not “obliged to attend school”, a study area will be provided if they notify school that they wish to attend.

In a letter to parents, it added:

“These arrangements apply to both St Aidan’s and St John Fisher students in the Associated Sixth Form. Year 12 students should inform their home school of their intention to attend, should that be the case.”

Elsewhere, Rossett School has informed parents that it intends to repeat the same arrangements as the last teachers strike.

The school said:

“As a leadership team, we have decided to repeat the arrangements from the last strike day of Year 7, 11, 12 & 13 in school and Year 8, 9, and 10 working remotely.”

St John Fisher Catholic High School in Harrogate will remain open to year 7 and 13 only.

In Knaresborough, King James’s School has advised that school will be closed to all students, apart from year 11 and sixth form who should continue to attend.

Outwood Academy in Ripon will remain open to year 11 and vulnerable students. Other year groups will be expected to complete work from home.

Details of how other secondary schools are affected will be posted as we get them.

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Harrogate chamber meeting to focus on connectivity

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How Harrogate district schools are affected

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