Knaresborough car park in line for £30,000 resurfacing

A Knaresborough car park is set to undergo £30,000 resurfacing works.

Harrogate Borough Council has awarded a contract to Ripon-based AE Duffield and Sons to carry out the work at Fisher Street car park.

The 48-bay car park on Chapel Street is close to the town’s High Street and is open seven days a week.

The work will see the car park relined to offer 45 parking bays, three disabled parking bays, together with directional markings and yellow hatching.

The advertised contract added:

“The works will also involve the removal of the existing timber bin enclosure, with the formation of a new, due to its current dilapidated condition.”

According to the contract, work is expected to start on February 16 and last until February 22.

AE Duffield and Sons have also carried out similar work at Ripon Cathedral Car Park, where the company was awarded a £106,000 contract to resurface the site.

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Police commissioner proposes £10 council tax hike

North Yorkshire’s police commissioner has proposed a £10 hike in the force’s share of council tax.

The proposal would see the rate increase to £281.06 from April this year.

Zoe Metcalfe, the Conservative police, fire and crime commissioner, is expected to agree the proposal at a meeting of the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel on February 7.

A report due before the meeting said the increase would help the force hit targets for officer recruitment and pay as set by government.

It said:

“This will provide sufficient funding to deliver the increased levels of police officers, as required by the government, the expected increase in pay, the unavoidable increase in National Insurance contributions whilst also meeting some significant increases in non-pay inflation.”

Meanwhile, Ms Metcalfe will also propose a 1.98% increase in the fire service council tax precept – which would see bills rise to £75.61.

Planned council tax hikes 2022/23

The service is currently running at a £1 million deficit and can only hike its share of the rate by 1.99%, under government rules.

The commissioner’s office also warned councillors at a meeting earlier this month that the service faces borrowing up to £33 million after ministers abolished its capital grant.

Ms Metcalfe described the funding settlement for the fire service as “very unfair” and pledged to lobby government for more support.

Council tax hikes

Harrogate Borough Council, North Yorkshire County Council and North Yorkshire’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner have all proposed increasing their share of council tax this year.

It means taxpayers across the district will face a bill of nearly £2,100 this year.

Local precepts for parish and town councils, such as Ripon City Council, will also be included on bills.

Final decisions on council tax rates from all public authorities will be made in February.

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Could Harrogate be the home of the new North Yorkshire Council?

As the formation North Yorkshire Council edges closer, questions have been raised over where the new authority should be based.

From April 2023, North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate Borough Council and the six other district authorities will be abolished and replaced with a new council.

A decision has yet to be made on where the new North Yorkshire Council will be based.

North Yorkshire County Council is based at County Hall in Northallerton, which is the hot favourite to be home to the new unitary authority.

But Harrogate’s modern Civic Centre has been suggested as an alternative. Cllr Richard Cooper, leader of Harrogate Borough Council, told a Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce meeting this month that Harrogate’s Knapping Mount had a case.

He said:

“It’s still not decided where the new council will be and it could be Harrogate. It would certainly have the best office facilities in North Yorkshire.”

No decision will be made on the location until after the May local government elections. So what are Harrogate’s prospects and what is at stake?

Harrogate or Northallerton?

The location of the new authority will be one of the key decisions that councillors make in the coming 12 months.

Ninety councillors will be elected to North Yorkshire Council, covering 650,000 residents and 32,000 businesses across England’s largest county.

The location of the new council matters because most key decisions will be made there.

Across North Yorkshire, Harrogate is the highest populated town with 75,070 people. The town itself is one of the two main urban areas in the county, along with Scarborough, and benefits from transport links, a vibrant hospitality sector and various public facilities.

North Yorkshire County Council offices in Northallerton.

It also has a modern council facility. The Knapping Mount headquarters, which staff moved into in July 2020, is purpose-built for local government. It is designed to accommodate 500 staff.

The council said the building cost £13 million. However, the Stray Ferret investigated the overall cost of the move from Crescent Gardens and put the figure closer to £17 million.

County Hall in Northallerton was built in 1906 and has served as the headquarters of various local governments in North Yorkshire, including North Riding County Council up until 1974.

The grade II listed building underwent a £500,000 refurbishment in 1999.

Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council. Picture: NYCC.

Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council. Picture: NYCC.

Conservative Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council, told the Stray Ferret that it would make sense for the new council to remain at county hall.

However, he added that the authority does plan to implement local office space for staff and a “double devolution” agenda for local decision making.

He said:

“It will be for the new council to decide. But there is a lot of jobs in Northallerton.

“It would not make sense to move from Northallerton.”

The sentiment is echoed by Liberal Democrat Cllr Philip Broadbank, who represents Starbeck on the county council. He said:

“There is a high chance it would in Northallerton because it is more central.

“The Harrogate council has been mentioned, but it needs to be central.”

But for Independent Cllr Stuart Parsons, the future needs to be based around regional decision making.

Cllr Parsons, who represents Richmond on the county council, said the council needed to be “trimmed” and decision-making should be spread around the county.

He said:

“I suspect they [the council[ see themselves where they are. But no one has thought to ask if that is sensible.”

Why does the council’s location matter?

Much of the criticism over the new council is that it is too remote.

The county is scattered in terms of populations, with an estimated 160,830 people in the Harrogate district compared to 55,380 in Ryedale.

Having such a large county makes the headquarter issue even more important.

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For example, if a planning decision relates to Starbeck the issues are more likely to be understood by council officers based in Harrogate than in Northallerton

Cllr Parsons said there needed to be a plan for how “double devolution”, which would give powers to local areas, is distributed.

“There needs to be a short, medium and long-term plan. We are nowhere near that.”

What happens now?

County council leaders have said a decision on where the new council will be based will not be made until after the May elections.

Currently, an implementation board made up of senior council officers and an implementation executive, which includes cabinet members from across the county, is working through proposals.

Once the new councillors are elected, decisions will be made on matters such as location, planning, senior management committees ahead of North Yorkshire Council coming into operation in April 2023.

Storm Malik: Strong winds cause disruption across Harrogate district

Storm Malik caused travel disruption, closure of major attractions and forced one business to close in the Harrogate district today.

A Met Office yellow weather warning for strong winds was in place across the district and drivers were urged to take care when out and about.

Catch up on our live coverage of today’s storm below.

2.40pm – Harrogate business forced to close as roof crashes in

One Harrogate business has been forced to close as strong winds saw its roof fall in.

The roof at Bubblerun Hand Car Wash and Valeting Centre, Harrogate Road, crashed in at around 11.30am this morning.

Fortunately, no one was hurt and staff managed to get outside when the crash happened.

The business has reported that it is now closed until the roof can be fixed.

Damage to the roof of Bubblerun car wash, Harrogate Road. Picture: Sarah Tayan.

Damage to the roof of Bubblerun car wash, Harrogate Road. Picture: Sarah Tayan.

1.15pm – Harrogate landscape boss tells of lucky escape from fallen tree

Jason Kirk, the owner of a Harrogate landscaping company, had a lucky escape on Woodfield Road today when a tree came crashing down during Storm Malik.

He told the Stray Ferret how he avoided being crushed by the tree in Bilton. You can read more here.

Jason Kirk next to his van on Woodfield Drive, Bilton.

Jason Kirk next to his van and the fallen tree on Woodfield Drive, Bilton.

12.16pm – Fallen tree causing problems on Woodfield Road

A fallen tree on Woodfield Road is causing problems for drivers this afternoon.

Drivers are being forced to mount the kerb in order to avoid the tree, which is obstructing the road.

The tree has yet to be moved and drivers are urged to avoid the area.

12.07pm – Reports of power cut in Hampsthwaite

Residents in Hampsthwaite are reporting a power cut in the village.

One resident told the Stray Ferret that properties have had no power all morning.

According to Northern Powergrid, a power cut has been reported in the HG3 and HG2 areas. The loss of power has affected 590 properties, the company said.

It said on its website:

“The power cut affecting your property has been caused by an unexpected problem with the cables or equipment that serve your area.”

11.30am – Strong winds delay 59 bus

Harrogate Bus Company is reporting delays on its 59 service to Skipton due to windy conditions.

⚠️Due to windy conditions, the 59 is experiencing delays

We apologise for any inconvenience

@northyorkscc @MetroTravelNews

— The Harrogate Bus Company (@harrogatebus) January 29, 2022

11.27am – Tree down on Woodfield Road

A Stray Ferret reader has got in touch to report a tree has fallen on Woodfield Road in Bilton.

The tree fell around 11am and drivers are urged to avoid the area.

11.16am – RHS Harlow Carr to fully close

RHS Harlow Carr has confirmed that it will fully close today.

It said the decision was for the safety of visitors, staff and volunteers.

**CLOSED SATURDAY 29th JANUARY*
We have made the difficult decision to fully close the garden today due to the worsening weather. The safety of all visitors, staff and volunteers is paramount.

We apologise for any inconvenience and hope to reopen tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/Er7k0R9Bwd

— RHS Harlow Carr (@RHSHarlowCarr) January 29, 2022

10.52am – Wetherby Road clear despite fallen tree

Wetherby Road near Harrogate Town football ground is clear, despite a fallen tree.

The tree is chopped up and not affecting traffic.

10.25am – Hole in road on Stray Rein

Strong winds have left a hole in the road exposed on Stray Rein after barriers were blown over.

Cyclists, walkers and drivers are urged to take care in the area.

9.52am – Parts of Harewood House site closed

The Harewood House Trust has warned visitors that parts of its site will be closed due to high winds today.

Those travelling to Harewood are urged to check the trust’s website for more information.

9.47am – B6161 at Beckwithshaw reopen

The B6161 between Beckwithshaw and Penny Pot Lane is now reopen after a fallen tree blocked the road.

Contractors have removed the tree. Police have urged people to take care out on the road.

Top work by the contractors and the #B6161 between #Beckwithshaw and #PennyPotLane in #Harrogate is fully reopened. It’s still very breezy so please take care if you are out and about💨💨💨 https://t.co/bLVZPnHb1b pic.twitter.com/IVaULusIoc

— Paul Cording (@OscarRomeo1268) January 29, 2022

9.41am – Weather warning in place until 3pm

The Met Office yellow weather warning for strong winds is expected to remain in place until 3pm.

Delays are expected on roads and possibly to public transport. The Met Office adds that “some short term loss of power and other services is possible”.

9.23am – Crowberry Drive now clear after fallen tree

A fallen tree on Crowberry Drive in Jennyfields has now been cleared.

The road was blocked earlier this morning.

9.15am – Harrogate Park Run cancelled and Fountains Abbey closed

Harrogate Park Run announced this morning that it was cancelled today.

Meanwhile, Fountains Abbey will also be closed due to Storm Malik. Its park run is also cancelled.

We're sorry to disappoint anyone planning a visit tomorrow (Saturday 29 January) but for the safety of all we've made the decision to close the entire estate due to the forecast weather.

Park Run is also cancelled. pic.twitter.com/pqcyE7sHva

— Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal, National Trust (@fountainsabbey) January 28, 2022

9.10am – RHS Harlow Carr closes parts of gardens

RHS Harlow Carr has confirmed that parts of its gardens will be closed today due to strong winds forecast.

In a tweet, it said that it apologised for inconvenience caused.

Unfortunately due to the forecast of high winds today (Saturday 29th January), parts of the garden will be closed.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused, but the safety of our visitors, staff and volunteers is paramount.#winterwalk #welcometowinter #winter2022 pic.twitter.com/FDzeDrBagj

— RHS Harlow Carr (@RHSHarlowCarr) January 29, 2022

9am – Travel disruption expected in Harrogate

North Yorkshire Police have urged drivers to take care on journeys today.

A fallen tree blocked the B6161 between Beckwithshaw and Penny Pot earlier this morning. A warning remains in place to expect delays on road and public transport.

The #B6161 between #Beckwithshaw and #PennyPot near #Harrogate remains closed due to a fallen tree. Please use an alternative route whilst we await @northyorkscc and take care if you are out and about pic.twitter.com/X9yuXs7BjZ

— Sgt Paul Cording BEM (@OscarRomeo1268) January 29, 2022

 

Plan to convert Starbeck pharmacy into Italian takeaway

A former Lloyds pharmacy in Starbeck could be converted into an Italian kitchen and takeaway.

Under plans submitted to Harrogate Borough Council, the site would be refurbished to include an Italian trattoria on the ground floor and two apartments above.

SSA Architects, which has submitted the application on behalf of the developer, said in its planning documents that the kitchen would provide employment for between five to eight people.

It would be open from 12pm until 12am, according to the proposal.

Meanwhile, both flats proposed as part of the development would be one bedroom.

The developer said in its application:

“The proposal looks to rejuvenate the plot by refurbishing the existing structure within the setting.

“Within this outlined development, the design aims to create an inviting setting for the new residents, and customers for the takeaway business.”

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

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New gritter tracker shows which roads in Harrogate district are being treated

An online gritter tracker for North Yorkshire has been launched to help drivers plan their journeys.

The service by North Yorkshire County Council shows people in real time where gritters are being deployed on the authority’s priority routes and where they have been during the preceding 10 hours.

Any gritting will disappear after 10 hours to avoid confusing previous treatments with recent or current ones.

Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive county councillor for access, said:

“The online gritter tracker is a further tool to help people to make informed journey planning decisions with confidence, particularly during wintry conditions. It gives more detail than ever before, allowing people to see where gritters are and which parts of the network have recently been treated.

“This is a bespoke service that has been developed in-house specifically for North Yorkshire. It is no small feat to develop a system to track up to 80 gritters and all the data they generate.

“We are confident that from day one it will provide a useful service to people travelling in the county, but we are keen to hear from those who use it about any refinements that could improve it further.

“By launching it during this winter, we hope to receive feedback on live situations, which we will be able to review over the summer. Ahead of next winter, we will be able to introduce any enhancements to ensure it provides information that is as full and accurate as possible.”

You can view the online tracker here.

The online gritter map showing the roads treated in Harrogate in the previous 10 hours.

The online gritter map showing the roads treated in Harrogate in the previous 10 hours.

True grit – facts about North Yorkshire gritters

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Scrapping Pannal cycle lane ‘ludicrous’, says cycling group

A decision to scrap a legal agreement for a housing developer to build a cycle lane in Pannal has been described as “ludicrous”.

Bellway Homes had agreed to build the cycle lane on Leeds Road when its 128-home development at the former Dunlopillo factory site was approved by Harrogate Borough Council in 2017.

But the Section 106 agreement has now been scrapped by the council in favour of a £189,000 contribution from the developers after the cycle lane costs increased to almost £1m due to new government guidance on design standards.

Kevin Douglas, chairman of Harrogate District Cycle Action, described the decision as “ludicrous” and said the developers should be made to fulfil their agreement.

He said:

“Councils are not always going to have this kind of money themselves so they should be ensuring developers who are building houses and bringing more people into the town provide the appropriate infrastructure we need.

“The cycle lane wasn’t a brilliant scheme in the first place, but at least it would have been something.”

‘We need these links’

Mr Douglas also said cycle links in outskirt areas like Pannal should be seen as a priority to make the most of larger projects including the £10.9 million Harrogate Gateway.

He added: 

“Making improvements in the town centre will be great but we need these links in for people to get there.

“It’s very important that all these plans and projects connect together.”

The decision to scrap the agreement was made at a meeting of Harrogate Borough Council’s planning committee on Tuesday after a recommendation from officers.

Kate Broadbank, housing officer at the council, told the committee it “would not be reasonable” to make the developers build the cycle lane given the increased costs.

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North Yorkshire County Council, which is responsible for highways, had also agreed to the decision prior to the meeting and is now drawing up proposals for wider improvements in Pannal using the £189,000 agreed alongside other contributions.

Paul Thornton, planning manager at Bellway Homes, said the company believed these wider plans would be of more benefit to the area.

He said: 

“The proposed commuted sum will be used to help fund wider improvements along the A61 which will ultimately benefit residents of Pannal and the wider district.

“We believe the funding provided through the amended Section 106 contribution will be far more beneficial than progressing a standalone scheme.”

Harrogate hospital trust appoints new board chair

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust has appointed Sarah Armstrong as the new chair of its board.

Current chair Angela Schofield announced she is retiring having been in the role since November 2017.

Ms Armstrong, a former director of operations at Healthwatch and chief executive of York Centre for Voluntary Service, will take up the role from April 1.

She is also a non-executive director at Harrogate Integrated Facilities, a wholly-owned subsidiary company of the hospital trust that looks after its estate.

Ms Armstrong said: 

“I am delighted to be appointed chair of HDFT. Being a non-executive director over the last few years has enabled me to understand the work that the trust does, and the difference it makes. I feel extremely proud to be part of HDFT and very much look forward to undertaking this new role.”

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Steve Russell, chief executive of HDFT, said: 

“Sarah’s vast knowledge and experience has been invaluable since she joined the trust’s three years ago and I am looking forward to working with her in her new role.

“The energy and enthusiasm she brings is infectious and her inquisitive, challenging nature keeps us on our toes and ensures we are always striving to provide the best possible healthcare for our community.”

Harrogate Convention Centre re-development to be speeded up over £475,000 loss fears

Harrogate Borough Council is set to bring forward part of its redevelopment of the town’s convention centre over fears it may lose £475,000 in bookings.

A report due before the council’s cabinet next week will recommend setting aside £2.8 million from its reserves to accelerate creating “breakout rooms” in studio 2.

Paula Lorimer, director of the convention centre, said previously that bringing the studio part of the project forward needed to be a priority as it would be a “game changer”.

The work to studio 2 will include the creation of seminar rooms to cater for up to 1,200 people. Currently, the studio only caters for 570 delegates, which can deter some organisations from booking.

The work for studio 2 is now expected to be considered as a standalone project, while approval for the wider first phase of the project is likely to return before councillors at a later date.

The report to councillors says:

“If the studio 2 package is not ready by April 2023, the potential negative impact on the HCC order book would be significant.

“It is highly likely that the contracted events for the period 2023/24 would be lost, as without studio 2 these conferences would exceed the current breakout capacity of the venue.”

£12.9m hit to local economy

The council estimates that if the acceleration of studio 2 is not approved then the authority faces a loss in income of £475,000 and an associated economic impact on the district as a whole of £12.9 million.

This is because events for the convention centre are often booked 18 months in advance.

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Ms Lorimer told a cabinet meeting in December 2021 that there was a “strong case” to bring the studio project forward.

She said:

“We are lucky to have one of the largest and most gorgeous auditoriums in the country with just over 1,900 seats, but we only have breakout space for 570 people.

“These larger conference rooms that we are hoping to have in studio 2 will mean we will attract much larger conferences.

“We therefore believe there is a very strong case to accelerate this part of the project.”

The remainder of the project has yet to receive a final go-ahead from councillors and could cost up to £47 million over three phases if approved.

Other plans as part of the project could involve three exhibition halls being demolished to make way for a new 5,000 sq m hall and a refurbished auditorium.

Around £20 million would be needed to complete a first phase of redevelopment, with another phase later.

Harrogate council strike action averted after national ballot

The prospect of Harrogate Borough Council staff going on strike over pay has been removed after a national ballot.

Trade union Unison balloted members over whether or not to take industrial action after members rejected a 1.75% pay increase last year.

The offer followed a national consultation from the Local Government Association over a pay increase.

Of 62% of Unison members in the Harrogate district, 74% voted to refuse the pay offer.

However, a national ballot held last month on whether to take strike action over the offer saw just 14.5% of Unison members turn out to vote.

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Under government trade union laws, strike action cannot legally progress unless there is at least a 50% turnout for the ballot and the majority votes to strike. Because the national turnout was just 14.5%, the strike will not therefore take place.

David Houlgate, secretary of the Harrogate branch of Unison, said the proposed 1.75% pay offer would only increase pressure on frontline council services.

He said:

“While an overwhelming majority of those who voted were prepared to show their anger at the employers’ derisory 1.75% pay offer by taking strike action, they are prevented from doing so because the number of votes cast in the ballot is less than 50% of the number entitled to vote in the ballot.

“With inflation predicted to hit 6% this year, this amounts to another real terms pay cut for council workers across the country and will increase the pressure on frontline services, already struggling with a huge number of vacancies and losing employees at an alarming rate.”

Council staff ‘deeply unhappy’ over pay

Unison and other trade unions have said they will now look towards next year’s pay offer.

Mike Short, head of local government at Unison, said:

“The results show there’s deep unhappiness among council and education staff about a pay offer so far below the ​spiralling cost of living.

“There’s a real danger ​local authorities and schools will now lose staff to employers willing ​and able to g​rant above-inflation wage rises. Leading supermarkets, hospitality outlets and ​other private sector firms ​have either made, or are ​considering, pay increases allowing workers to keep on top of ​rocketing bills.

“Unison will consider ​its next steps and liaise with ​other unions when the​ir ballots are complete.”