Former Harrogate councillor made Honorary Alderman for North Yorkshire

A former Harrogate councillor has been awarded Honorary Alderman status for North Yorkshire after 25 years of service.

Cliff Trotter, who represented Pannal and Lower Wharfdale on North Yorkshire County Council, served on the authority from 1997 until 2022.

The Conservative councillor also served as chairman of the county council in 2012.

He was one of six councillors who received the award at a meeting on Wednesday.

Mr Trotter, who has since retired from the council on medical advice, spoke of “honour” in accepting the award, adding his “time on the council has been really enjoyable”.

He was presented with the honour by deputy chairman of the council, Cllr David Ireton.

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The position of Honorary Alderman has parity of status with a past Mayor, enabling those who receive the title to be invited to the same civic functions and events

Mr Trotter joined former councillors John Blackie, Caroline Patmore, Peter Sowray MBE, Val Arnold and Helen Swiers in receiving the honour.

Jill McMullon, partner of the late Mr Blackie, accepted the honour on his behalf.

In total, the councillors served for nearly 150 years on the county council.

Council leader, Cllr Carl Les, said: 

“With a combined service of almost 150 years, these six councillors have spent a major part of their lives working to champion their local communities and causes close to their hearts.

“John Blackie’s legacy lives on in the Upper Dales and in the minds of myself and other councillors who had the privilege of working alongside him. He worked tirelessly to ensure that local services continue to be delivered despite the pressures that rural communities face.

“It’s testament to their drive and commitment as ward councillors that the retiring members have been awarded Honorary Aldermen titles.”

Fire crews tackle kitchen fire in Ripon

Fire crews were called to a kitchen fire in Ripon yesterday.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue received the call to flats on the city’s Blossomgate at 3.17pm.

A woman who lived in the flat was treated for smoke inhalation but did not require hospital treatment.

Crews from Ripon and Harrogate attended the kitchen fire. North Yorkshire Police and paramedics were also on the scene.

An incident log from the fire service said:

“Ripon and Harrogate crews attended a kitchen fire. Two breathing apparatus and one hose reel jet was used.

“Female occupant was treated for smoke inhalation by paramedics on the scene.”

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Harrogate hospital has ‘robust plan’ to tackle winter demand, say officials

Harrogate hospital bosses have given assurances that a ‘robust plan’ is in place for winter as it faces increased demand.

The hospital says it expects to face further pressures from seasonal flu, covid and staff absences.

It also faces long waiting lists for operations and high demand at accident and emergency.

However, a spokesperson for Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust said the organisation has put a plan in place to cope with demand.

It comes as NHS chiefs wrote to health bosses across the country this week conceding that some hospitals may struggle to cope this winter.

‘Robust winter plan’

In Harrogate, the hospital is currently dealing with a 90% bed occupancy rate, high demand at A&E and a long waiting list for operations.

A spokesperson for HDFT said despite some of the winter pressures, a plan was in place to help maintain services for patients.

They said:

“We have faced and dealt with significant challenges over the last few years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and our recovery from it – in particular, reducing our waiting lists and waiting times for treatment.

“We will undoubtedly face further challenges in the months ahead as winter is always a busy time of the year as we deal with a variety of seasonal infections such as flu, in addition to all other regular activity.

“The trust has a robust winter plan in place to ensure we are able to maintain our services so that our patients’ care is not disrupted and all areas are staffed to safe levels and monitored throughout all shifts.

“During the winter period, staff absences at the trust can create pressure for our teams; for instance, fewer nursing and medical staff means that whilst we are still able to treat our patients for their illness or condition and ensure their safety, we are sometimes not able to provide the level of holistic support that we would like.

“Currently, bed occupancy at our hospitals is around 90%. Due to the increased number of planned operations that are being performed we have more patients occupying beds following their surgery.

“However, bed occupancy is also impacted by patients who no longer require hospital care, but are unable to be discharged as they do not have a suitable location where they can continue their recovery, such as a residential care home, or appropriate home care to support them in their own homes.”

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The trust has already sought to introduce a home care service to free up beds and has trialled an emergency department streaming service for less serious injuries and illnesses at A&E.

The hospital also continues to urge people to call 111 for non-urgent illnesses.

It comes as NHS chiefs, regulators and Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer, wrote to hospital bosses this week reassuring them that staff would not face disciplinary action if care standards fell due to “significantly increased national pressure”.

The letter said:

“In such challenging times, when you may need to depart from established procedures to care for people, we understand some could be fearful that they will be referred to your regulator. 

“Please be assured that your professional code and principles of practice are there to guide and support your judgments and decision-making in all circumstances. 

“This includes taking into account local realities and the need at times to adapt practice at times of significantly increased national pressure.”

Uncertainty over Harrogate district investment zones after government ‘refocuses’ scheme

There is uncertainty over the future of planned investment zones in the Harrogate district after the government announced it will “change its approach” on the policy.

Three sites were earmarked in the district for the zones, which were a key policy under former Prime Minister Liz Truss’s administration.

The sites include junction 47 of the A1 near Knaresborough, business park Potter Space Ripon at junction 50 of the A1, and Harrogate Convention Centre.

The government said previously that the zones, which would have received liberalised planning laws and tax incentives for businesses, would support economic growth.

However, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt yesterday announced in his autumn statement that the scheme would be focused towards research.

He said:

“I will also change our approach to investment zones which will now focus on leveraging our research strengths, to help build clusters for our new growth industries.

“My right honourable friend the Levelling Up Secretary will work with mayors, devolved administrations and local partners to achieve that with the first decisions announced ahead of the spring budget.”

According to Treasury documents, the government intends to “refocus the investment zones programme” and use it to “catalyse a limited number of the highest potential knowledge-intensive growth clusters”.

The document added that, as a result, the expressions of interests submitted by councils “will therefore not be taken forward”.

The news comes after Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council, admitted on Wednesday that he did not expect the zones to progress.

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The county council was named as one of 38 local authorities in talks with the government over creating investment zones back in September.

The authority then earmarked 12 commercial sites as part of an expression of interest for the scheme.

However, Cllr Les told councillors at a meeting on Wednesday that he did not expect the initiative to go any further.

He said:

“I have to say I don’t think that investment zones are going to proceed.

“The Secretary of State is reviewing them and they will not go forward.”

Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district update

Commuters travelling to London King’s Cross from Harrogate will need to travel to Leeds to board the service due to train repairs.

Roads

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

The three-way lights at the junction with the A658 has seen queueing traffic for motorists over the last few weeks.

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

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

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.

Commuters travelling to London King’s Cross on the 11.36 service will need to travel to Leeds to board the service.

LNER has announced that due to more trains than usual needing repairs, the service will start from Leeds Station.

⚠️#LNERUpdate Due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time the 11:36 #Harrogate to #KingsCross due 14:31 will be started from #Leeds
Customers from Harrogate should use Northern services between Harrogate and Leeds and change for the next available LNER service

— London North Eastern Railway (@LNER) November 18, 2022

Passengers will need to use a Northern service on the Harrogate line to get to the station.

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

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Call to retain taxi zones in North Yorkshire amid proposed changes

Calls have been made for North Yorkshire to consider keeping local taxi licence zones amid a proposal to move to a single policy.

Cllr Andrew Williams, county councillor for Ripon Minster and Moorside, called for assurances that council officials would look at retaining local licensing zones after concern from cabbies.

Under proposals already put forward, the new North Yorkshire Council would create a single licensing policy for hackney carriages and private hire vehicles in the entire county.

It would mean drivers in Harrogate could operate anywhere in North Yorkshire, whereas they are currently restricted to the Harrogate district.

Cllr Williams told a council meeting yesterday that local drivers had raised concern that the changes would lead to taxis flocking to areas during high demand, such as a large event, leaving customers in other areas struggling to get a cab.

He said:

“I have been approached by taxi drivers who I represent who are very concerned that any form of deregulation could lead to problems in terms of actually being able to get a taxi because taxi drivers will move from rank to rank depending on when there is a busy day in a certain locality.”

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Cllr Williams added that fare rates for the entire county should be based on the highest charged otherwise drivers could lose out on income.

The council said previously that fares for hackney carriages would be reviewed at a later date.

In response, Cllr Carl Les, leader of the county council, said that all views submitted to a consultation over the changes would be considered.

He said:

“I think they are all valid points.

“Hopefully they will all come out in that consultation and then we will make the decisions when we have heard what people have actually said.”

Changes will cause “chaos”

The move to propose a single licensing policy has caused concern for cabbies in the Harrogate district.

Richard Fieldman, who has operated his cab in Ripon for 28 years, told the Stray Ferret previously that the planned changes would see drivers “swamp” areas during the busiest times of day.

Mr Fieldman said the move would see quieter areas deprived of taxis during the busier times.

He said:

“It will mean that any taxi can work in any area.

“You are going to have swamps of taxis in busy areas at busy times. That in itself brings chaos.”

A consultation into the policy changes is open until January 19, 2023. You can have your say here.

Government grants needed to help finances, says county council leader

More measures are needed to help North Yorkshire County Council’s finances despite support from government on council tax, says the leader of the authority.

Cllr Carl Les said the council needed grants from central government in order to help balance its books.

His comments come as Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is expected to announce an increase in the threshold in which authorities can increase council tax by without a local referendum.

Currently, the threshold is 2.99% – but Mr Hunt is expected to hike this to 5% in today’s autumn statement.

Cllr Les told a meeting of the county council yesterday that while the measure would be welcomed, more support would be needed.

He said:

“It will give us flexibility, but I don’t think that it’s the only leaver that we need to pull.

“Government grants has got to be part of that answer as well.”

The move comes as county council leaders warned in June that the upcoming North Yorkshire Council could face a blackhole of £50 million in its finances.

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Cllr Gareth Dadd, executive member for finance at the county council, said the situation was largely due to deficits it will inherit from district councils and high inflation.

The new unitary authority will replace Harrogate Borough Council, the county council and the remaining six districts.

Although he did not estimate the total structural deficits that the seven second tier authorities, including Harrogate Borough Council, would have accumulated by the time the new council is launched in April, he said it was believed it would be “substantial”.

It has been estimated the combined ongoing deficits of the district and borough councils could be in the region of £10 million.

In addition, ahead of the recent increasing inflation rate the county authority had been prepared to cover a deficit of up to £20 million.

With inflationary pressures, which include the council’s gas and electricity bill rising by some £3m, it is believed the total deficit could nearly reach £50 million.

Cllr Dadd said at the time:

“That is a frightening figure, but nonetheless, I think we are right to raise that at this stage.”

Met Office issues weather warning for rain in Harrogate district

The Harrogate district is braced for heavy rain today as a weather warning has been issued.

The Met Office has put a yellow warning in place for rain across much of northern England until midnight.

It says that the adverse weather may affect public transport and possibly cause flooding.

The warning says:

“There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some buildings.

“Spray and flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures.

“Should flooding occur, delays or cancellations to train and bus services are likely.”

The warning covers much of the district including Harrogate, Ripon and Boroughbridge.

Heavy rain and a moderate breeze is forecast throughout the day in the district.

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Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district update

Drivers are urged to take care on the roads this morning as a yellow weather warning for rain is in place.

Here is your Stray Ferret traffic update.

Roads

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for rain across the Harrogate district this morning.

It means that adverse weather may affect driving conditions and could cause flooding in areas.

Motorists are urged to take care on the roads during the morning commute.

Meanwhile, drivers should be aware Northern Powergrid is carrying out work on Wetherby Road in Harrogate.

The company is undertaking emergency maintenance work near to the football ground.

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

The three-way lights at the junction with the A658 has seen queueing traffic for motorists over the last few weeks.

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

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

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.

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Harrogate’s showground vaccination site to close next week

Harrogate’s covid vaccination centre at the Great Yorkshire Showground will close next week.

The site is set to shut after two years of operation.

More than 250,000 vaccinations have been carried out at the centre, 30,000 of which have come during the autumn booster campaign.

The vaccination site will close on Wednesday, November 23.

Cath Dixon, clinical lead at the Yorkshire Health Network which runs the clinics, said:

“This has been a monumental team effort by all concerned over the last almost two years. We are extremely grateful to the staff at the events centre for their support and flexibility especially when events returned and they continued to support the vaccination programme while also delivering business as usual. They have been amazing partners during this whole process and we can’t thank them enough.

“We also owe huge thanks to our army of volunteers who have worked tirelessly to keep the site operational in all weathers including the pouring rain and significant falls of snow, always willingly and cheerfully.”

Vaccinations will continue to be offered to those eligible until November 23.

The site will be open from 8.15am until 5.30pm each day, apart from Sunday when it will be closed.

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People aged 50 and over, pregnant women, carers, frontline health and care workers, care home residents and people of all ages who are vulnerable are eligible for a covid booster jab now.

However, first and second doses will also be available. A clinic for those aged five to 11 will be held on Friday after school and all day Saturday.

Those aged between 12 and 17 will also be offered vaccinations this Saturday afternoon until 5.30pm.

Those eligible for a vaccine can book via the NHS website or walk-in appointments are available.

Ms Dixon added:

“We are here till 23 November and would encourage anyone who has been invited to have a covid vaccination but has not yet come forward to book a jab before the site closes. 

“Covid is still circulating in our communities and we still have people in hospital with this virus so please take advantage of the opportunity to protect yourself and those around you and stay well this winter.”