Calvin Robinson Chief Reporter, Author at The Stray Ferret

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP denies voting in favour of fracking

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones has denied voting in favour of fracking in the House of Commons last week.

An opposition Labour motion was put to the house which would have forced a vote on a bill to ban the controversial practice in the UK.

Mr Jones voted with the government on the night against the motion.

In his latest ‘Fact Check Friday’ video on Instagram, Mr Jones denied he voted in favour of fracking.

He said:

“Contrary to what some people would have you believe, I didn’t vote in favour of fracking during the debate in parliament this week.

“In fact, the vote wasn’t even directly about fracking at all. The vote was about changing the scheduled timetable of parliamentary business to allow the Labour Party to bring in a bill about fracking.

“A bill that hasn’t even been published.”

The government won by 319 votes to 228 – however the night descended into chaos amid allegations Tory MPs were “bullied and manhandled” into supporting former Prime Minister Liz Truss.

Mr Jones goes on to say in the video he is “relaxed” about the government’s position on fracking as there is “little possibility of any successful applications to frack”.

He adds that he has “always been skeptical about fracking” and that the UK’s future energy should be in renewables.

The video, which Mr Jones says includes “no politics”, goes onto show a clip of the then Liberal Democrat energy secretary, Sir Ed Davey, saying that the government had to find a “commercially viable way” to get shale gas out of the ground.

The clip then cuts to an image of Mr Jones and the hashtag ‘awks’, suggesting it reveals an awkward truth for the Lib Dems.

Harrogate council sees increase in complaints in last five years, says study

Harrogate Borough Council has seen a rise in complaints over the last five years, according to an analysis of local government data.

A study by legal firm claims.co.uk shows that the authority has seen an 18.97% increase in complaints since 2017.

The analysis used figures from the Local Government Ombudsman and showed the most improved council’s across the Yorkshire and Humber region.

According to the study, Harrogate came 19th, below Kirklees Borough Council and City of York Council, out of 19 council where full data was available.

The figures show that the council received on average 3.6 complaints per 10,000 people across the district between 2017 and 2019.

This increased to 4.3 between 2019 and 2022.

Scarborough Borough Council was the most improved with a decrease in complaints of 38.95%, followed by North Lincolnshire Council with 34.62%.

George Patton from Claims.co.uk said:

“Council tax has increased by an average of £67 for Band D properties this year amid the cost of living squeeze.

“Along with the tax hike are residents’ rising expectations towards their local authorities to provide better services.

“Hence, although taking on your council might seem daunting, it’s vital to know your right as a resident and speak out if you feel that your council has failed to deliver a service.”

A Harrogate Borough Council spokesperson said:

“Harrogate Borough Council aims to provide an excellent service to our customers. If we get something wrong, we want to try to put it right quickly and learn from the mistake to help improve services in the future.

“We are generally able to resolve the complaints we receive but sometimes our customers are not satisfied with our response to their complaint and we signpost them to refer their complaint to the Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO).

“The data published by the LGSCO shows that it has received 103 enquiries or complaints relating to Harrogate Borough Council over the last 5 years and made 101 decisions on these referrals.

“Many of these cases were closed after initial enquiries (43), referred back for local resolution (29), or not upheld (11).

“In only nine cases was the complaint against the council upheld.”

In June, the Local Democracy Reporting Service revealed that in 2020/21 13 complaints were made against councillors alone.

There were 11 complaints where a monitoring officer and independent person ruled that investigations were not needed. This included allegations of bullying by a parish councillor.

Volunteers step in to run Conyngham Hall leisure facilities

Facilities at Conyngham Hall in Knaresborough are set to reopen after community volunteers stepped in.

Chain Lane Community Hub is set to run the kiosk, 18-hole pitch and putt, tennis courts and crazy golf as part of an agreement with Harrogate Borough Council.

The borough council has offered the management of the facilities to volunteers as part of a peppercorn lease.

It will see the kiosk and other attractions open every day of the October half term holidays from 10am until 3.30pm.

Sue Vasey of Chain Lane Community Hub said:

“This is such a positive step for Knaresborough and we are delighted with the support we are receiving from all parts of the community.

“We have already recruited 12 volunteers who are working alongside the Chain Lane team to make this happen. We are still looking for more, so please get in touch if you would like to be involved.

“Over half term, as well as the usual facilities, there will be autumn themed family craft activities which includes a nature trail with small prizes for the children.

“The kiosk will be providing light refreshments at reasonable prices – an opportunity for families to come together in a fun and affordable environment.

“Equipment for the golf and tennis facilities will be available for a donation towards the upkeep and future development of the facilities and supporting our local community sector.

“We hope as many people as possible will come along and support us and we are really looking forward to welcoming everyone.”

The move has been backed by Knaresborough Chamber of Trade, Knaresborough Connectors, local businesses, North Yorkshire County Council and Knaresborough Town Council.

The leisure facilities at Conyngham Hall were forced to close due to staffing shortages in June.

Cllr Sam Gibbs, Harrogate Borough Council cabinet member for environment, waste reduction and recycling, said:

“We are delighted that the community has stepped forward to bring the Games in the Park at Conyngham Hall back into use.

“It demonstrates what can be done when local authorities and community groups work together with one vision”

Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district traffic update

Motorists should be aware of roadworks at Knaresborough which are causing delays during rush hour.

Here is your Stray Ferret traffic update.

Roads

Roadworks in Knaresborough are causing delays for drivers during the morning rush hour.

Yesterday, motorists reported queues of more than an hour on the A59 near the junction with the A658.

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

The lights will remain in place until November 11. Drivers are urged to allow extra time if using the route this morning.

Meanwhile, work to reconstruct the B6265 at Red Brae Bank, Bewerley, near Pateley Bridge, is ongoing.

The scheme requires the road to be closed and a diversion will be in place via Pateley Bridge; the B6451 Dacre; Menwith Hill Road; Duck Street and Greenhow Hill village. Temporary traffic lights will be in place during the remainder of the work.

Also, lights will be installed on the B6265 at Red Brae Bank, Bewerley. The road suffered a landslip during storms in February 2020 and a weight limit has been in place since.

It was expected that the work will be carried out until December 9.

Meanwhile, roadworks are also set to be implemented on Wetherby Road in Harrogate from Monday as temporary traffic lights are put in place.

According to North Yorkshire County Council’s roadworks map, maintenance work will be carried out by Northern Gas Networks until October 28.

In Harrogate town centre, long-term work on Crescent Road means motorists are unable to turn left at the Parliament Street junction. Traffic coming the opposite way on Ripon Road is unable to turn right.

Trains and buses

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

The Harrogate Bus Company is currently reporting cancellations on the 7 services this morning. You can get updates here.

Harrogate district MPs backing clear favourite as new PM set to be confirmed

Two Harrogate district MPs look to have backed the right candidate with the announcement of the next Prime Minister set to be made later today.

Rishi Sunak is on course to win the Conservative leadership contest after Boris Johnson withdrew from the race last night.

Andrew Jones, Harrogate and Knaresborough MP, and Julian Smith, Skipton and Ripon MP, are among the 155 MPs who have declared their support for the former chancellor.

Penny Mordaunt, who is also running for the leadership, currently has the support of 25 MPs.

Writing on his Community News website, Mr Jones said on Friday:

“I’m backing Rishi because he has the experience, ability and energy to tackle the problems facing our country.

“He instinctively reaches for the right solutions and now, more than ever, we need someone who will bring those qualities to our national politics. He has demonstrated proven, economic judgement in unprecedented times.”

Nigel Adams, Selby and Ainsty MP which includes rural Harrogate, had backed Johnson for the leadership before the former Prime Minister withdrew from the race.

General Election calls

It comes as opposition parties, including Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, have called for a General Election to be held.

The Stray Ferret asked the Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservative party what it made of the current situation in Parliament and whether it supported the suggestion of an election being held.

A spokesperson for the local party said:

“Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservative Association is here to serve its members who hold a wide range of views and opinions.

“We strongly support democracy and believe general elections should take place when called through the appropriate channels.

“It is our understanding that the election timetable is already published unless the government of the day makes alternative arrangements.”

Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district traffic update

Roadworks on a main route near Pateley Bridge are set to start today which may cause delays for drivers.

Here is your Stray Ferret traffic update.

Roads

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

However, some roadworks on key routes across the district are set to start.

Work to reconstruct the B6265 at Red Brae Bank, Bewerley, near Pateley Bridge, is expected to start today.

Also, lights will be installed on the B6265 at Red Brae Bank, Bewerley. The road suffered a landslip during storms in February 2020 and a weight limit has been in place since.

It was expected that the work will be carried out until December 9.

Meanwhile, roadworks are also set to be implemented on Wetherby Road in Harrogate from Monday as temporary traffic lights are put in place.

According to North Yorkshire County Council’s roadworks map, maintenance work will be carried out by Northern Gas Networks until October 28.

Motorists should be aware of temporary traffic lights on Skipton Road.

North Yorkshire County Council is carrying out work to replace light columns on the road. According to the authority’s roadworks map, the lights will be in place until October 25.

Trains and buses

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

The Harrogate Bus Company is currently reporting cancellations on its 1B, 1C and 36 services this morning. You can get updates here.

Police appeal for ‘key witness’ after Starbeck assault

Police have appealed for a key witness to come forward after a 19-year-old man was assaulted in Starbeck.

The man was attacked by four teenage boys while walking across Belmont Park towards Wentworth Close on August 31 between 4.30pm and 5pm. He had to go to hospital with an eye injury.

A teenage girl intervened in the assault and the teenagers walked away.

As part of an investigation into the assault, officers are appealing for the girl to come forward.

A North Yorkshire Police statement added:

“There is no further description of the suspects, but the victim recalls one of the teenage boys was carrying a blue tooth speaker at the time of the assault.

“As well as appealing for the key witness to get in touch, officers are also asking for any information or private CCTV footage that could help to identify the suspects.

“If you can help the investigation, please email jemma.grant@northyorkshire.police.uk. You can also call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Jemma Grant.

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

Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12220156586 when providing details.”

Harrogate Porsche driver jailed for causing death of cyclist

A Porsche driver has been jailed today after causing the death of a cyclist on the A168 near Boroughbridge.

James Bryan, 37, was rushing to get some shopping for his parents on May 10, 2020, when his Porsche Carrera 911 ploughed into the back of a bicycle ridden by married father-of-two Andrew Jackson, 36, York Crown Court heard.

Bryan was found not guilty of causing death by dangerous driving after a trial in September. However, he admitted causing death by careless driving.

He appeared for sentencing at York Crown Court this morning, where he was jailed for nine months.

‘Distracted by something’

During the trial, which began last month, prosecutor Anne Richardson alleged that in the moments before the crash at Allerton Park, Mr Bryan must have been distracted by “something” because Mr Jackson was clearly visible.

She claimed that evidence showed he must have been looking at, scrolling through, or reading posts on social media.

Mr Bryan had taken cocaine and been drinking at his friend’s house in Cheshire the night before the fatal collision at Rabbit Hill Park.

A roadside test in the aftermath of the crash showed that although he wasn’t over the limit for either drink or drugs, there were traces of cocaine, or a cocaine breakdown product, in his system.

Ms Richardson claimed that Bryan, who celebrated his 35th birthday just two days before the accident, would have been impaired by the drugs in his system and from being hungover and tired from the alcohol and festivities the night before.

He was on his way to drop off some groceries at his parents’ house who were isolating during the covid lockdown when the accident occurred at about 1.40pm.

Bryan, of St Mary’s Avenue, Harrogate, was arrested and charged with causing death by dangerous driving. He denied the allegation but admitted causing death by careless driving in that he didn’t leave enough room to drive around the bicycle.

Defence barrister Sophia Dower claimed that Bryan was in a “fit and proper state” to drive and was not using his phone at the time of the crash.

She claimed Mr Jackson’s bike had veered right from the edge of the road into the path of Mr Bryan’s black Porsche, and that her client “didn’t have enough time to react”.

The off-duty doctor who was at the scene said Mr Jackson had suffered a serious head injury and his helmet was broken.

Police knock ‘changed our lives forever’

Andrew Jackson

During the sentencing hearing today, a victim impact statement from Mr Jackson’s father, Paul Jackson, was read in court.

Mr Jackson said he and his wife, Ruth, can remember the knock on the door from police which he said “changed our lives forever”.

He said:

“He was only 36 years old when he was killed. He was in the prime of his life.”

Mr Jackson added that he and his wife “found it difficult to express how the loss has affected us”.

Mr Jackson’s wife, Jenny, told the court today Andrew was her “best friend and team mate” and that it was “so hard not having him around”.

She said:

“My children should be growing up to know what it feels like to be hugged by their father.”

In mitigation, Bryan’s defence said the defendant had expressed remorse and had suffered from “fragile mental health”.

Ms Dower said he had suffered from depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder since the crash.

She said:

“If Mr Bryan could turn back the clock, he would do it in a heartbeat.

“Whatever sentence this court imposes today, we all know that Mr Bryan is going to have to live the rest of his life knowing that his careless driving killed Mr Jackson.”

Sentencing Bryan, Judge Simon Hickey said that Mr Jackson was “there to be seen” and not at fault for the collision.

Judge Hickey said a combination of tiredness and “interaction with a device” led to Bryan hitting Mr Jackson.

He said:

“That is why you hit Mr Jackson from behind.

“No blame is attached to him… because of your inattention he could have been avoided.”

Bryan was jailed for nine months, of which he will serve half before being released.

He was also disqualified for two years and ordered to pass an extended driving test before being allowed to drive again.

Sneak Peek: Cheers! New Harrogate craft beer bar opens today

Craft beer lovers in Harrogate can rejoice as a new town centre bar is set to open today.

Husk Beer Emporium and Bar, which is situated on Station Square, will showcase local and UK wide beers.

Joint owners Danny Duckworth and Tom Gill opted for the venture as a natural progression from their shop on Kings Road.

Mr Duckworth told the Stray Ferret that the pair felt the time was right to move towards opening a bar.

Husk

He said:

“We have had the shop for three years and we like to think that has created the awareness of world beer in Harrogate.”

Food, drink and an ‘Aladdin’s cave’ of beers

The bar will sell food and drink, including a draught line with everything from German lager to hazy pale ales.

For Mr Duckworth, part of the reason for setting up to bar was to create a place which will also offer affordable, interesting beers.

Husk

Three of the draughts on sale will be under £5, enabling people who may not normally opt for a craft beer to be able to try them.

Those who are enthusiastic about their beers will also be to try the “Aladdin’s cave” of unique brews downstairs.

Customers will be able to design their own grilled cheese sandwiches, while cocktail lovers can sample a range of drinks.

Dogs and children will also be welcome in Husk.

In the long-term, there is also an ambition to put live music on for those who like songs to go with their craft beer.

Crucially for Danny, the aim of the new bar is to create a place for everyone to drink – not just beer enthusiasts.

He said:

“We wanted to create a place where we would want to drink.”

Husk Beer Emporium and Bar will be open from midday today.

Consultation launched over £540m North Yorkshire devolution deal

People across the Harrogate district will be asked from today for their views on a historic £540 million devolution deal for North Yorkshire.

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

The deal will see £18 million year worth of funding devolved to the county over 30 years.

Now, as part of the process to bring more powers to North Yorkshire, the public, businesses and charity organisations will be asked for their thoughts on the deal.

Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council, said:

“We really need the public to come forward and give us their views on what is important to them and how devolution can benefit communities and businesses across York and North Yorkshire.

“The chance to secure these decision-making powers and millions of pounds in funding from the government is set to prove a life-changing opportunity for more than 800,000 people who live and work in York and North Yorkshire.

“Devolution will give local leaders the chance to tackle some of the most pressing issues facing people in York and North Yorkshire – whether that be providing more affordable housing, improving skills and education for better job opportunities, boosting transport infrastructure or tackling the climate crisis.”

Pictured: Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council, Greg Clark MP and Cllr Keith Aspden, leader of City of York Council sign the document.

Meanwhile, Helen Simpson, chair of the York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership, said:

“This is a historic moment for York and North Yorkshire and creates the opportunity to deliver long-term investment to support business growth.

“I’d like to invite business leaders across the region to contribute to this consultation.”

Consultation on the deal will run until Friday, December 16. People can have their say at the York and North Yorkshire Devolution website here.

What is in the deal?

As part of the devolution deal, a mayoral combined authority would be formed with a directly-elected mayor by May 2024.

It would mirror similar arrangements in the Tees Valley, where Conservative mayor Ben Houchen oversees the combined authority.

While the planned North Yorkshire deal brings £540 million worth of investment funding, it is lower than the original £750 million requested by local leaders.

However, more power over skills and transport will be devolved.

It will see whoever is elected mayor and the new combined authority have control over the adult education budget and the ability to draw up its own transport strategy.

Control over bus franchising has also been granted to the county and the power to set up Mayoral Development Corporations, which have the power to buy land for housing or employment to regenerate a defined area.

Much of the deal echoes what was given to Tees Valley in 2015, where mayor Houchen has since exercised his economic development powers to buy Teesside International Airport and Redcar Steelworks.

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Roads

Trains and buses

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General Election calls

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Roads

Trains and buses

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‘Distracted by something’

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Police knock ‘changed our lives forever’

Food, drink and an ‘Aladdin’s cave’ of beers

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What is in the deal?

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