Calvin Robinson Chief Reporter, Author at The Stray Ferret

Harrogate hospital covid death toll rises to 205

Harrogate District Hospital has recorded another death from a patient who tested positive for coronavirus.

The hospital reported the death on Tuesday, according to NHS England figures. It takes the covid-related death toll at the hospital to 205.

Today’s figures from the UK Health Security Agency show that another 326 infections have been recorded in the Harrogate district.

Meanwhile, government figures show that the district’s seven-day covid average is 1,487 per 100,000 people, down on yesterday’s figure of 1,527.

It remains below both the county average, which is 1,475, and the England rate is also 1,475.

The data also shows that 105,412 booster or third jabs have been given in the Harrogate district, as of today.

Today, health bosses in North Yorkshire have sought to address fears from people who are hesitant to get the vaccine, in particular pregnant women.

‘Super-volunteer’ George Simpson – who has given over 1,500 hours of his time to the Knaresborough vaccination centre programme since it began in March 2021. Homecare Pharmacy vaccinator Janice John (in pink vest). Chain Lane Community Hub director Sue Vasey.

Dr Cath Dixon, executive chair and clinical lead of the Yorkshire Health Network a Federation of the 17 GP practices in the Harrogate district, said:

“Getting a covid vaccine is one of the most important things a pregnant woman can do this year to keep herself and her baby as safe from this virus as possible.

“There is now extensive evidence to show that the vaccines are safe and that the risks posed by covid to mum and baby are far greater. If any mums-to-be are having doubts about vaccination, I would urge them to talk to their midwife or doctor.”

Meanwhile, Knaresborough covid vaccination centre, based at Chain Lane Community Hub, administered its 125,000th jab today.

Officials at the centre reported that 40,000 of its vaccines which were given in November and December alone.

‘God help us!’ — fears over need for £31m to fund North Yorks fire service

Concerns have been raised after it was revealed North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service could be forced to borrow up to £31 million to fund new equipment after the government abolished its grant.

Zoe Metcalfe, a Conservative who was elected North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner in November, described the funding settlement for the fire service as “very unfair” and pledged to lobby government for more support.

The service is currently running a deficit of £1 million and will require capital funding to pay for vehicles, maintenance of property and fire kit.

At a meeting today of the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel, the commissioner’s office set out provisional plans for increasing the precept paid by council tax payers to fund both police and fire services.

Michael Porter, director of finance at the commissioner’s office, told the meeting that the fire precept can only be increased by 1.99% — which would amount to £1.46 per week — because it is not one of the eight lowest charging services in the country.

He added that there will be no capital grant from government, leaving the service requiring £31.1 million to fund its projects over the next five years.

Mr Porter said:

“The problem with this, which we alluded to earlier, is that there is no capital grant from a fire perspective.

“Almost the entirety of that £31 million would need to be borrowed. Borrowing would need to be around about £25 to £26 million to be able to fund that type of level of investment.

“We will probably get to a point where we have to make some really difficult choices around whether or not we can continue to do something or even be able to do something of this nature.”

Martin Walker, a co-opted member of the panel, said he was “horrified” by the financial situation the service was in.

He said:

“I have to say that I’m horrified, if that’s not too strong a word, about where the fire service is going to be.

“It’s in desperate need of capital injection and renewing stations, renewing fire engines and renewing all sorts of infrastructure.

“You’re talking about borrowing and having to borrow £30 million. I hesitate to say this, but god help us.

“The fire service is fighting so hard to provide the service that the public need and yet you’re telling us as a panel that it’s going to get worse, then it will get worse and after that it will get worse.”

Ms Metcalfe sought to reassure the panel and said she was “lobbying government and MPs very hard” over funding for the fire service, which she described as unfair.

She said:

“I am questioning the rationale about how they have come to deciding where we are on that chart [precept level], it does seem very unfair.

“I’m fighting very hard for a fairer funding formula for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.”

Meanwhile, Mr Porter added that there was “strong support” from the public for the precept level to be increased higher than 1.99%.

The commissioner’s office will set its budget for the police and fire service in February.

Harrogate district MPs silent over Prime Minister party apology

Two of the Harrogate district’s Conservative MPs have so far remained silent after Prime Minister Boris Johnson apologised for a party at 10 Downing Street at the height of the first lockdown.

Before Prime Minister’s Question Time yesterday, Mr Johnson issued a public apology after coming under fire for a “bring your own booze” event during lockdown in May 2020.

The reports sparked backlash from the public as many had to abide by restrictions at the same time, including not being at the bedside of loved ones when they died and missing funerals.

Mr Johnson confirmed he was at the event and said he understood the “rage” people felt. However, he added that he believed it was a “work event” and had not seen the invitation from his principle private secretary, Martin Reynolds.

Labour leader of the opposition, Keir Starmer, called for the Prime Minister to resign yesterday and alleged that he had misled parliament over the lockdown parties.

So far, Andrew Jones, Harrogate and Knaresborough MP and Julian Smith, Ripon and Skipton MP, have yet to give their views on the issue.

Following the apology, Nigel Adams, MP for Selby and Ainsty, which includes rural part of Harrogate, retweeted a tweet from Nadine Dorries, culture secretary, which backed the Prime Minister and said he was “right to personally apologise”.

Mr Adams is also minister without portfolio in the Cabinet Office.

Nadine is spot on 👇 https://t.co/s8dB74Z7zO

— Nigel Adams (@nadams) January 12, 2022

The Stray Ferret has asked Mr Jones and Mr Smith whether they believe Mr Johnson should resign, but had yet to receive a response by the time of publication.

During an emergency debate in Parliament on Tuesday, Mr Jones asked paymaster general Michael Ellis for a specific date when an inquiry into the lockdown parties will be published. He was told that it would be a “swift” investigation.

Meanwhile, Matt Walker, vice-chair of the Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrats, said he has written to Mr Jones urging him to join calls for the Prime Minister to resign.

Mr Walker said:

“Yesterday we heard an evasive apology from the Prime Minister for hosting a garden party at the height of lockdown.

“This is just one of many recent allegations made about government representatives and officials breaking the rules during the pandemic, but none so clear cut as the occasion on May 20, 2020.”

Review into Oatlands Drive traffic measures delayed

A review into traffic measures on Harrogate’s Oatlands Drive has been delayed.

North Yorkshire County Council was due to publish a list of measures to improve walking and cycling in the area last year.

However, Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive member for access at the council, told the Stray Ferret that publication of the review has been delayed as the council is working with consultants on the matter.

The Oatlands Constituency Feasibility Study is being drawn up after the council ditched proposals to introduce a one-way system on the road following complaints from residents.

It is expected to look into issues such as parking, access to the Saints area and the blocking of the cycle way on Oatlands Drive by cars.

The study was earmarked to be finalised last autumn.

But Cllr Mackenzie said:

“It has been delayed. We are working with our consultants on that.

“It will look at parking and various issues in the Saints area. I am sorry that it has been delayed.”

Concerns over parking in the cycle lane on Oatlands Drive have been raised with the council over many years, Cllr Mackenzie added.

In September, Harrogate Borough Council erected no parking signs warning drivers they face a £100 fine or being towed away if they park on Stray land next to the cycle lane.

However, drivers were later pictured defying the “no parking” signs.

The parking signs which were erected on Oatlands Drive.

One side of Oatlands Drive has double yellow lines but the other side — where cars park — does not.

The county council is working with London-based consultancy firm WSP on the Oatlands study. The company also carried out work on the £60 million Kex Gill realignment project for the authority.

Victoria Avenue cycle scheme expected to hit delays

Another cycling project which is also expected to be delayed is the Victoria Avenue scheme in Harrogate.

The project is set to see cycle lanes implemented in order to connect with the nearby Beech Grove low traffic neighbourhood.

It comes as part of a £1.2 million government funded scheme to to get more people walking and cycling as the nation emerges from the pandemic.

The project which has been earmarked for Victoria Avenue in Harrogate.

However, Cllr Mackenzie told the Stray Ferret that the Victoria Avenue part of the project could require Stray land to be exchanged.

This could delay construction of the project as the county council would have to liaise with Harrogate Borough Council to identify land to be exchanged with the Duchy of Lancaster.

Cllr Mackenzie said he had hoped to start work on the Active Travel schemes, which also includes a project on the A59 Harrogate Road, this summer.

Street entertainer and litter ranger among plans to boost Harrogate footfall

Harrogate Business Improvement District is set to outline its plans for 2022, which will include street entertainment and pop-up markets.

Officials from the BID will hold their annual general meeting at the Crown Hotel today to outline plans for the year ahead.

The plans will include a “HastobeHarrogate” promotional campaign, as well as a street ranger whose remit will be to keep the town centre clean and tidy.

The BID is also planning street entertainment which will include home-grown theatrical talent, who will be performing in the town centre over a series of weekends throughout the year.

Sara Ferguson, chair of Harrogate BID, said:

“The good news is that we are going to do more to make Harrogate even more appealing, giving locals and visitors plenty of reasons to ‘pop into town’ time and time again.

“This month our street ranger, whose main remit is to keep the town centre looking spick and span, will make his official debut. So, look out for him and his branded electric vehicle complete with jet washer.

“Our street cleansing crew will be back in March for the first of four major cleaning and weeding sessions, and ensuring Harrogate looks fresh and clean in time for the Easter holiday.

“Our barrier baskets and planters will again be giving Harrogate a vibrant burst of colour and clearly demonstrating why it is renowned as a floral town.”

Proposals outlined by the organisation will coincide with the queen’s platinum jubilee, which will take place over four days in early June.

Officials at the BID said its plans for the year are designed to make the most of the event and entice ore people into the town centre.

Ms Ferguson said this would include a partnership with LoyalFree to create a series of ‘shop local’ campaigns, aimed at promoting Harrogate as Yorkshire’s number destination to “shop, eat and drink”.

She added that the BID also intended to look into “hosting a series of pop-up markets” off the back of the Christmas Fayre.

Harrogate district covid rate falls, raising hopes Omicron wave has peaked

The Harrogate district’s covid rate has fallen slightly, as 387 positive covid infections were reported today.

Latest government figures show that the district’s seven-day covid average is 1,527 per 100,000 people, down on yesterday’s figure of 1,533.

It remains below both the county average, which is 1,572, and the England rate of 1,592.

While the rate in the district has fallen, Amanda Bloor, accountable officer of the county’s NHS Clinical Commissioning Group, said it was “too soon to say with certainty” that infections are now levelling off.

Ms Bloor said while the rates were down overall, cases were climbing in older age groups and that this was a worry for under pressure hospitals.

She also said recent challenges around testing could be depressing the true rates of infection.

Ms Bloor said:

“Now is certainly not the time for complacency.

“The level of covid in our communities remains staggeringly high and regrettably, as the prevalence of covid spills over into older and more vulnerable parts of our society, we are beginning to see large numbers of people in North Yorkshire hospitalised with coronavirus.”

No further deaths from patients who tested positive for covid have been reported at Harrogate District Hospital, according to NHS England.

According to government figures, 105,178 booster or third jabs have been given in the Harrogate district, as of today.

Latest figure show that the number of covid patients being treated at Harrogate District Hospital remains at 23.

Tesco consultation results reveal support for new Harrogate store

Tesco has revealed the results of a consultation it held for a planned new supermarket on Harrogate’s Skipton Road.

The supermarket giant has lodged proposals to Harrogate Borough Council for a new store, five years after pulling out of a similar development.

If given the go-ahead, it would be built on the former gasworks at New Park and would include a 38,795 square feet store and a petrol filling station.

Tesco held an online consultation about the plans last year and the results have now been released.

According to documents submitted by the company to the council, 187 people responded. Of those, 74% said they wanted to see the derelict site brought back into use.

A total of 62% said they supported proposals for a new Tesco supermarket at the site.

However, the consultation also saw people raise concerns about the development.

Sixteen respondents “expressed concern that providing access via a roundabout was inappropriate due to the existing roundabout at Skipton Road / Ripon Road”.

A total of 43 respondents also raised the issue of highways and traffic on the local area.

The issue of traffic has been raised by cycle groups, which have accused Tesco of “greenwashing” over claims about reduced car journeys.

Traffic concerns

Tesco has harboured ambitions for a new store in the town for almost 20 years. The retailer previously had plans approved in 2009, but pulled out after opposition from local traders.

Although many people have welcomed the prospect of a new supermarket in the north of Harrogate, some are concerned about the impact of extra traffic on what is already a busy area, plus access to the site.

However, the company has said in transport documents submitted to the council that the site would see fewer car journeys than under previous plans.

The document says that the store would attract a total of 908 fewer car journeys on a weekday peak time and 522 on a weekend compared with its previous application.

Tesco has said there are no “transport-related reasons” to turn the proposal down.

It added:

“This transport assessment has demonstrated that the development proposals will result in a decrease in the number of trips generated by the site compared to the extant permission for the A1 Tesco superstore.”

Harrogate covid rate remains stable despite 428 daily infections

The Harrogate district’s covid rate remains stable despite 428 positive covid infections reported today.

Latest government figures show that the district’s seven-day covid average is 1,533 per 100,000 people, up on yesterday’s figure of 1,467.

It remains below both the county average, which is 1,618, and the England rate of 1,674.

No further deaths from patients who tested positive for covid have been reported at Harrogate District Hospital, according to NHS England.

According to government figures, 104,951 booster or third jabs have been given in the Harrogate district, as of today.

Latest figure show that the number of covid patients being treated at Harrogate District Hospital remains at 23.

Harrogate Town promotion hero Connor Hall joins Port Vale

Harrogate Town promotion winning defender Connor Hall has joined Port Vale on a permanent deal, the club confirmed today.

Hall made more than 100 appearances for the club and scored against Notts County in the National League play-off final at Wembley in 2020.

The 28-year-old centre half also won players’ player of the year in the promotion season and played the full 90 minutes in the FA Trophy final victory over Concord Rangers the following year.

He has joined fellow League Two outfit Port Vale for an undisclosed fee.

Manager Simon Weaver said Hall played a “big part” in Town’s recent success.

He said:

“I want to wish Connor the very best of luck.

“He’s played a big part in our progress over the last few years and in particular his goal at Wembley in the play-off final will always be remembered with great fondness.”

Town also today signed 6ft 4ins defender Leon Legge, 36, from Port Vale.

Legge gas made over 100 appearances for the Valiants over the past three seasons. He has also played for Brentford, Gillingham and Cambridge United.

Town manager Simon Weaver said:

“We are really delighted to bring Leon in. We believe he will add aggression and leadership to our group. It remains so important to win the first ball in both boxes and we will be asking Leon to do that for us.

“Off the pitch, I know the lads will benefit from his professionalism, knowledge and dedication to the game.”

Plan submitted to refurbish Harrogate’s Coach and Horses pub

Plans have been lodged to refurbish the Coach and Horses pub in Harrogate.

Provenance Inns, which owns West Park Hotel on the same street, took over the pub in October last year.

The new owners have now submitted plans to revamp the bar and kitchen area and reinstate the corner entrance.

It would also see part of the first floor converted into a restaurant area along with staff accommodation and office space.

Anthony Blundell, commercial manager at Provenance Inns, told the Stray Ferret that the company wanted to maintain the Coach and Horses as a “traditional pub”.

He said:

“The idea is to refurbish what is already there.

“We see it as the last traditional pub in Harrogate. We know from our guests how well it was respected.”

Documents submitted to Harrogate Borough Council say the refurbishment will create up to 26 full time jobs across “a range of skilled and semi skilled occupations”.

It is unclear when the pub will reopen, however Mr Blundell said the owners could get started on the work as soon as planning permission is granted.

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

The Coach and Horses has been closed for 20 months.

Previous landlord John Nelson lost the pub’s licence when police found customers drinking outside and not observing social distancing rules during the weekend of May 30, 2020.

Mr Nelson is well-known in the Harrogate area — he was landlord for 33 years and raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for local charities.

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Victoria Avenue cycle scheme expected to hit delays

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Traffic concerns

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