Eight North Yorkshire Council officers set for £100,000 salaries

Eight senior managers at North Yorkshire Council are set to receive a salary of more than £100,000 a year.

The authority will replace Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council in April.

As part of the move, a new management has been appointed to oversee the authority.

A report due before the council tomorrow (January 24) will also recommend a pay structure for the management and council as a whole.

Among them includes Richard Flinton, the new chief executive, who will receive a salary of £198,935.

Meanwhile, Stuart Carlton, Richard Webb, Gary Fielding and Karl Battersby — all of whom are directors under the county council — will receive £150,044.

Read more:

An unnamed director of community development is due to receive a salary of £139,125.

Elsewhere Rachel Joyce and Trudy Forster are due to be paid £111,500 and Barry Khan, currently assistant chief executive for legal and democratic services at the county council, will receive £120,000.

The Stray Ferret asked the county council how it had arrived at the salaries, but had not receive a response by the time of publication.

A report due before senior councillors on Tuesday said:

“The grading structure has been amended this year following a review of all eight councils structures to consider the differences and the changing nature of the council resulting from local government reorganisation.

“Whilst North Yorkshire County Council is the continuing authority, changes in pay terms and conditions have been made as a result of this review, to address the changing nature of the council and also the market pressures causing ongoing staff attraction and retention difficulties.”

Cllr Carl Les, leader of the county council, said:

“The pay which we offer is designed to attract and retain the most talented staff that we can, as we want the best people on board to drive forward the vision of the new North Yorkshire Council for the benefit of everybody who lives and works in the county.

“The new pay structure also highlights some significant savings on roles for chief executives and chief officers of £3.7 million compared to the costs across the previous eight councils.

“We are one of the largest local authorities in the country, managing large and complex operations. 

“In establishing the grades for the new management structure, senior managers’ salaries were analysed against other comparable authorities with the use of independent data.

“We are proud of the ability of our senior managers, and we believe it’s important to be open and transparent about our pay structure.” 

Former Harrogate Chinese restaurant to be converted into home

A former Harrogate Chinese restaurant is to be converted into a house.

The proposal submitted by John Tang will see the former Kwun Wah on Strawberry Dale changed into a four-bedroom home.

Harrogate Borough Council has approved the plans.

The Kwun Wah restaurant has been closed since 2006.

Planning permission was granted back in 2011 to convert the former restaurant into a home, but has since expired.

Read more:

 

Explained: North Yorkshire Council’s plan for council tax

North Yorkshire Council looks set to propose a council tax hike as part of its first budget.

The authority, which will take over Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council, is set to recommend a bill of £1,759.96.

However, the total bill will also include precepts for fire and police services which will be decided next month.

Here is all you need to know about your council tax this coming year.

What will my council tax be?

For 2023/24, taxpayers will no longer pay council tax to Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council.

Instead, tax will be paid solely to the new North Yorkshire Council.

As part of its first budget, authority officials are proposing a band D rate of £1,759.96 for the year – an increase on last year by 4.99%.

That does not include the precepts for fire, police and parish councils which will be decided separately by those organisations.

Why has the council chosen to increase council tax?

The council is proposing the sum in order to meet costs for providing public services across the county.

It has also decided that council tax rates will be harmonised for the next two years – meaning taxpayers will pay the same sum across the county.

Read more:

The council has calculated that council tax for the average band D property in Harrogate would normally be valued at £1,783.35.

But, the harmonised average for the county – which includes a 4.99% hike – will be set at £1,759.96.

The council also says it has to make income in order to tackle a £30 million blackhole caused by inflation and spiralling costs.

What has the council said about the proposal?

Despite an increase in funding from the government, the new authority is set to start the next financial year from April with a predicted shortfall of more than £30 million in its budget.

The council is set to receive an additional £22 million from government as part of the announcement.

However, soaring inflation and the impact of the covid pandemic is still set to leave a blackhole in the authority’s finances.

A council press release said the shortfall would be met “by the one-off use of reserves as well as some savings”.

Senior councillors will meet to discuss the council’s first budget, including council tax, on January 24.

Conservative Cllr Carl Les, who will assume the leadership of North Yorkshire Council from April, said: 

“We are facing the greatest ever financial challenges in North Yorkshire, which means we have a huge task in ensuring that services can be delivered effectively and efficiently for the public.

“However, without the opportunities presented with the launch of the new council, the situation would be a great deal worse, and it is vital that we take full advantage of these opportunities.

“We have the chance to make millions of pounds in savings by reorganising the way services are delivered, meaning that we get the most out of every pound of taxpayers’ money in North Yorkshire.”

Sharow roads earmarked for £200k resurfacing

Two roads in Sharow are set to undergo a £200,000 resurfacing scheme.

North Yorkshire County Council has added the projects to its highways forward programme.

It will see New Road and Sharow Lane in the village resurfaced and reconstructed.

The county council is expected to start the schemes in the 2024/25 financial year.

It comes as the council faced criticism in December after it was revealed repairs to Sharow’s roads were not included in next year’s capital schemes.

Residents in the area have previously told the Stray Ferret that The ‘shocking state’ of roads in the village is preventing motorists from going green.

James Thornborough, who lives in the village, said:

“The road surfaces are in such a shocking state, that it is not safe to drive on them in smaller vehicles that use less fuel and produce fewer emissions.”

Read more:

 

Harrogate Mojo applies to extend opening hours until 6.30am

Mojo in Harrogate has applied to extend its opening hours until 6.30am in the morning.

Voodoo Doll Limited, which trades as Mojo, has submitted the licensing request to Harrogate Borough Council for the Parliament Street bar.

It includes amending the permitted sale of alcohol hours from 11am until 4am to 11am to 6am each day of the week.

The proposal would also see the permitted hours for regulated live music, which is currently 11am until 4.30am, changed to 11am to 6am the following morning Monday to Sunday.

The opening hours would be 11am until 6.30am.

Anyone wishing to comment on the application can email licensing@harrogate.gov.uk by February 3.

Read more:

It comes shortly after nearby Viper Rooms, which had opening hours until 4.30am, closed last month.

In a statement given to the Stray Ferret by landlord North Yorkshire County Council last month, authority officials said the former club unit had already attracted “significant interest from potential tenants”.

‘Serious concerns’ over North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue finances, say inspectors

Inspectors have raised “serious concerns” over North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s finances and its ability to respond to fires and other risks.

Inspectors from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services undertook an inspection of the service in spring 2022 for its effectiveness and efficiency.

The report, released today, rates the service as requiring improvement for its effectiveness at keeping people safe.

Meanwhile, the service was rated as inadequate for its efficiency in keeping people safe and secure from fire and other risks.

It was also graded as inadequate for how it looked after its staff.

‘Serious concerns’

In his report, Roy Wilsher, His Majesty’s Inspector of Fire Services, said he had concerns over the sustainability of the service’s financial plans and its ability to respond to fire and other risks.

Mr Wilsher said the service’s use of resources was inadequate due to the “fragility of its budget”.

He added that he had concern over whether the organisation had the ability to get the right staff with the right skills due to a “lack of robust workforce planning”.

However, Mr Wilsher said the service was good at preventing fires and other risks and had piloted public safety officers at the time of inspection.

He said:

“Since its last inspection, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s performance has deteriorated in most areas.

“Although the service is good at preventing fires and other risks, I have concerns about its ability to respond to them. We have also highlighted serious concerns about how sustainable its financial plans are for managing these risks in an affordable way.

“It needs to make sure collaboration activities, such as those with police are effective and provide value for money. It currently shares some business services with North Yorkshire Police and the office of the police, fire and crime commissioner, but there is little evidence to show its benefits to the service.

“Our inspection also found the service to be inadequate in how it looks after its people. The service needs to improve how it promotes the right values and culture, as well as how it maintains and develops staff performance.

“In view of these findings, we have been in regular contact with the newly appointed chief fire officer and will be revisiting the service to monitor its progress.”

Fire service ‘very disappointed’

In response, Jonathan Dyson, chief fire officer at North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, said he was disappointed with the outcome of the report.

He said:

“While this is a very disappointing outcome, it is not a reflection of the hard work and dedication that our staff show, every day, to keeping our communities safe, and feeling safe. The inspectors have said that we are good at preventing fires and other risks and responding to major and multi-agency incidents.

“Much of what the Inspectors have focused on relates to service-level policies and practices.

“We do need to acknowledge that the Inspection came at a time of significant change for our service. We were just coming out of covid and transitioning to a new chief fire officer.”

Read more

Mr Dyson added that the service was “absolutely committed” to improving over the next two years as part of an improvement plan and service transformation.

Meanwhile, Zoe Metcalfe, Conservative North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, said:

“I welcome regular inspections from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS), because the reports are an independent and rigorous assessment which I can use to ensure our Fire and Rescue Service becomes an Outstanding Service. I am confident that NYFRS will become an exemplary Service and we are already on our journey to achieve that, I am committed to our success.

“It is extremely important for the public to understand that North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service keeps people safe as noted in the report where the Service is recognised as being good at preventing fires and other emergencies and good in its response to major and multi-agency incidents.

“Although major areas for improvement have been identified, the report recognises the great work being done by firefighters and staff to keep our communities safe. And I want to pay tribute to our courageous and dedicated fire personnel, who have my full support as they go about their vital work – as well as playing their part in improving our Service.”

Temporary traffic lights near Killinghall set to last another four weeks

Four-way traffic lights near Killinghall which have caused lengthy delays for motorists are set to last for another four weeks.

The roadworks at the roundabout near the Curious Cow at Oaker Bank are due to continue until February 17.

It comes as Express Utilities is carrying out work to install utility infrastructure for a nearby housing development.

The company has placed temporary traffic lights on the junction with Skipton Road while the work is carried out.

The works have caused delays for motorists, particularly during morning rush hour traffic.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Express Utilities said it was “supplying extra resources” to the works from January 23 in an effort to complete the work before February 17.

The company said:

“We appreciate that this type of work can cause inconvenience to members of the public and we will do all we can to minimise any disruption as far as practicable.

“As suggested, we will complete the works as soon as possible whilst keeping the traffic flowing as much as possible, maintaining the safety of our operatives and the public as our number one priority.”

Read more:

 

Thieves steal 10 motorbikes in Minskip

Police are appealing for information after motorbikes and tools were stolen in Minskip.

Thieves took the bikes from a commercial premises in the village overnight on Friday, January 6, and Saturday, January 7.

Officers said 10 motorbikes and several tools were taken.

A North Yorkshire Police statement added:

“Police are requesting the public’s assistance to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

“In particular officers are keen to hear from anyone who noticed any vehicles in the area acting suspiciously on the night that the incident occurred.

“Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should email Conor.taylor@northyorkshire.police.uk

“You can also call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for PC 499 Conor Taylor.

Please quote reference number 12230003712 when passing information.

“If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Read more:

 

Council leader ‘disappointed’ after Harrogate Convention Centre funding refusal

The leader of Harrogate Borough Council has said he is “disappointed” at a government decision to reject its bid for £20 million to go towards the redevelopment of Harrogate Convention Centre.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities announced last night more than 100 projects had been awarded a share of £2.1 billion as part of round two of its flagship levelling up fund.

However, the council’s bid to help fund the £49 million renovation of the town’s convention centre was refused.

It’s the second time the government has rejected funding for the project after the council requested financial support through the North Yorkshire devolution deal last year.

Cllr Richard Cooper, Conservative leader of the council, said he was “slightly surprised” at the government’s decision to refuse its bid.

He said:

“While disappointed that we were not successful in our bid I look forward to exploring with the minister the detailed reasons why that is the case.

“The decision is slightly surprising since the government rejected the inclusion of funding for the Harrogate Convention Centre redevelopment in the devolution agreement with North Yorkshire County Council.  This was done on the basis that we could bid to the levelling up fund, a bid which they have now also rejected.

“But if you bid for funding you have to be prepared for the possibility that you will not be successful. This was the second round of levelling up funding and there will be a third. We aim to be successful in that third round.”

Read more:

Control of the centre will transfer to North Yorkshire Council on April 1, when Harrogate Borough Council is abolished.

Last week Richard Flinton, who will be chief executive of North Yorkshire Council, refused to commit to the £49 million redevelopment and said the conference and events venue needed to be vibrant and relevant in the face of competition from a new venue in Leeds rather than “an enormous drain on public finances”.

Criticism of levelling up fund

Meanwhile, the government has faced criticism of its levelling up fund from officials at the Northern Powerhouse Partnership — a partnership group between civic leaders and businesses in the north of England.

Henri Murison, chief executive of the partnership, said those areas which had missed out on funding would ask “searching questions” about the process of holding funding rounds.

He told BBC News:

“People in the places that have received no money are going to be asking very searching questions about why these competitive funding rounds are being used when, for example, South Tyneside is now within a devolution area, Bradford has had a mayor for several years now. 

“Why on earth wasn’t the money for places like West Yorkshire just given straight to Tracy Brabin or in the case of Greater Manchester given straight to Andy Burnham?”

Mr Murison, who is from Boroughbridge, added that bidding for funding also cost local authorities money.

He said:

“The issue is that it costs, the Local Government Association estimate, about £30,000 to bid. The estimate that has been given in the last few days is that it’s getting on for £25 million that has been spent bidding in these processes.

“That’s OK, I suppose, for areas that were successful… For those areas that bid and didn’t get any money, there’s areal question whether Michael Gove should be writing them a cheque because their council tax payers are worse off for having tried to secure this funding but not got it.”

Developer appeals decision to refuse 13 homes plan on Ripon timber yard

A developer has appealed a council decision to refuse plans for 13 homes on a former Ripon timber yard.

Red Tree Developments wanted to demolish buildings at the site of the former NY Timber yard to build the homes.

The site on Trinity Lane was home to a timber yard from 1860 to 2018.

However, Harrogate Borough Council rejected the plan in December 2020 on the grounds that the scheme would cause “unacceptable harm” to the Ripon Conservation Area.

Now, the developer has taken the decision to the government’s Planning Inspectorate.

Jay Everett, a planning consultant who submitted the appeal on behalf of Red Tree, said the loss of the timber yard building would offer “no contribution to the setting”.

He said:

“My conclusion, derived from the evidence provided, is that the loss of the existing building would cause ‘less than substantial harm’ to the conservation area and that, regarding listed buildings in the vicinity, the existing building makes no contribution to their setting and moreover that the proposed development would visually benefit the setting of Holy Trinity School.”

Read more:

Red Tree bought the 0.64-acre plot, which is adjacent to the listed buildings, Holy Trinity Church of England Junior School and St Wilfrid’s Catholic Church, from Cairngorm Capital for an undisclosed sum this year.

In its original planning application, the developer said the timber yard, which is not listed, must be replaced due to its “poor state of repair”.

A government planning inspector will make a decision on the appeal at a later date.