Candidates standing for the upcoming North Yorkshire Council elections were quizzed by an audience in Harrogate last night.

The Stray Ferret held an election hustings chaired by editor John Plummer at the Wesley Centre ahead of a landmark polling day for the town.

Questions on housing and congestion featured heavily on the night, as well as the environment, the Stray and a Harrogate town council.

Voters will head to the polls on May 5 to elect councillors to the new North Yorkshire Council.

The election will be the last before the authority replaces North Yorkshire County Council and seven district councils, including Harrogate Borough Council, in what will prove to be the biggest shakeup in local government since the 1970s.

Labour, the Liberal Democrats, Green Party and Independents all attended the hustings on Tuesday evening – but the Conservatives declined.

You can watch the full hustings below.

Housing and congestion

The candidates first faced a question on how they would ensure roads and local services could cope with ongoing housebuilding in Harrogate.

Labour’s Chris Watt, who is standing in Fairfax and Starbeck division, said:

“The first thing I would do is work with local residents to oppose housing developments where there is not adequate infrastructure.”

He pointed to developments on Kingsley Drive as an example.

Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrat candidate for Fairfax and Starbeck, Philip Broadbank, said he felt the council should encourage more people out of cars.

He said:

“We have to encourage people to get out of there cars and use them less.

“We also need investment in public transport.”

(From left) Bill Rigby, Chris Watt, John Plummer, Philip Broadbank and Sarah Hart.

Bill Rigby, who is standing for the Green Party in Killinghall, Hampsthwaite and Saltergate, said the number of cars on the road needed to be reduced.

“The main way you can reduce the traffic is by reducing the number of cars.”

Sarah Hart, Independent candidate for Harlow and St George’s, said:

“We need the right homes in the right places.

“We need more homes for local people who work here. And they should be in suitable locations.”T

Town council and the Stray

Meanwhile, the candidates were also asked about how the Stray would be used under the new council and who would look after it.

Mr Watt said:

“There should be a local community work on the Stray.”

He added that people should be involved in what happens with the Stray and what events are held on it.

Mr Rigby agreed that local people should be involved in deciding what happens with the Stray.

“I agree that the community should be involved in its management.”

He added that he would support the introduction of a town council to take control of the Stray.

Ms Hart agreed that the community should look after the Stray and supported creating a Harrogate Town Council.

“If there is a Harrogate Town Council, then they should protect it.”

Mr Broadbank said that the Stray was “unique” and added that Valley Gardens should also be considered for events too.

Hustings in full

The candidates also fielded questions on a Killinghall bypass, the environment and opposition parties working together.

You can watch the full debate below.

North Yorkshire’s chief constable has warned that the recruitment of new police officers won’t be felt in communities for years to come.

Lisa Winward told a Harrogate Borough Council meeting last night that she wanted to “manage expectations” about the recruitment drive.

She also described figures which suggest an additional 30,000 new officers will be needed in England and Wales on top of the government’s target of 20,000 as “frightening”.

In North Yorkshire, 113 officers have been recruited since 2020 and government funding has been allocated for a further 74.

But because each officer is trained to a degree-level of qualification, Ms Winward said the benefits of the bolstered workforce won’t be felt for “potentially another four years.”

She said: 

“When these officers join us it takes three years for them to become fully qualified. They’re out on the streets for part of that time, but they spend a predominant amount of time in training.

“In reality, we won’t see the benefits of these individuals coming into the organisation – certainly the final 74 – potentially for another four years.

“We are very much looking forward to and grateful for these officers joining us, but it will take time.”

Read more:

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• Bilton Working Men’s Club to change name after more than 100 years

Reversing cuts to police officer numbers was one of Boris Johnson’s first policy pledges when he became prime minister in 2019.

But those in charge of recruitment have warned that the total number of new recruits needed is much bigger because of existing officers who will be resigning or retiring from the service.

Current police levels

North Yorkshire Police currently has around 1,560 officers and 3,380 total staff.

And Ms Winward said it is expected that around 25% of the workforce will have less than three years of service as outgoing officers are replaced with new recruits over the next few years.

She said this will be “very demanding” on the new officers in terms of them having the “skills, experience and ability to deliver the service to the community”.

Ms Winward explained 55 officers were recruited for training in 2020, followed by 58 in 2021.

She added a further 78 will be recruited this year, with all officers gaining experience in areas including roads and neighbourhood policing, and crime investigation.

Four of the 78 officers joining this year will work in an organised crime unit covering the Yorkshire and Humber region.

Where the rest will be deployed will depend on the outcome of a force management statement which is due to be published by North Yorkshire Police in May.

This document will look at current and predicted levels of crime in different areas across the county, as well as the current capacity of the force.

Ms Winward added: 

“This gap analysis will determine where those officers will need to be placed in order to ensure people are safe.

“But that is reliant upon a prevention and early intervention direction of travel.

“We cannot continuously service increasing demand so it’s really important that we prevent harm from happening in the first place.”

Ahead of polling day on May 5, the Stray Ferret will be previewing each of the divisions in the Harrogate district up for election to North Yorkshire Council.

A total of 21 seats will be up for grabs in the district with most of the major parties contesting each one.

Today, we look at the High Harrogate and Kingsley division which will see three candidates standing for election.

Tim Myatt, Conservative

Tim Myatt will be standing for the Conservatives in the division at the election on May 5.

Mr Myatt currently represents High Harrogate on Harrogate Borough Council, which he was elected to in 2018.

He is also the cabinet member for planning on the authority.

Mr Myatt said his priority ahead of standing for North Yorkshire Council is to ensure Harrogate is a great place to live with investment in the town centre.

He said:

“My priority is to ensure our area of Harrogate is a great place to live, with investment in local services and the town centre.  I live near Harrogate High School and am the only candidate to live in the ward. I care about our area because it is my area too.  

“I have been active in opposing over-intensive development in Kingsley and off Claro Road, including formally objecting to the current proposals off Kingsley Drive. I’ve also been working with residents to lower the impact of development on the wider community, such as developers working anti-social hours or leaving dirty roads.  

“I have worked to reduce graffiti, litter and potholes, and have secured investment to improve the One Arch which will begin later this year. We also have plans to tackle anti-social behaviour on this important route into town, as well as other locations across High Harrogate and Kingsley.”

Geoff Foxall, Labour

Geoff Foxall will be standing for the Labour Party on polling day.

Mr Foxall is a retired teacher and as chair of Starbeck Residents’ Association campaigned against the relief road through the Nidd Gorge.

He said his priorities ahead of standing for North Yorkshire Council were to protect the interests of working families and to safeguard the environment.

Mr Foxall said:

“As Chair of Starbeck Residents Association, I was active in opposing a relief road through the Nidd Gorge and creating a community woodland in the Green Belt between Harrogate and Knaresborough.  I have also opposed overdevelopment in the Starbeck and Kingsley Road areas of Harrogate.

“I have eight years of experience as a Labour Councillor on Harrogate District Council including four years as Group Leader.

“If elected for a new North Yorkshire County Council, I shall defend the interests of working families in Harrogate and safeguard our environment.”

Chris Aldred, Liberal Democrat

The Liberal Democrat candidate for High Harrogate and Kingsley division is Chris Aldred.

Mr Aldred sits on Harrogate Borough Council and represents Harrogate Fairfax ward.

He is currently the chair of the authority’s Overview and Scrutiny Commission.

Mr Aldred said he was standing to ensure residents have a “strong alternative voice” on North Yorkshire Council.

He said:

“I have over 20 years’ experience as a council officer throughout the county – I know how to hold the Tories to account.

“I have lived in Harrogate over 20 years. I am fighting this election to ensure residents have a strong alternative voice on the new council.

“For – better schools, public transport, protecting & enhancing our local green space, improved Social Care. Against overdevelopment, wasting your money on vanity projects.”

Read more:

• How the Harrogate district’s wards will change ahead of local election
• Full list of election candidates in Harrogate district revealed

Ahead of polling day on May 5, the Stray Ferret will be previewing each of the divisions in the Harrogate district up for election to North Yorkshire Council.

A total of 21 seats will be up for grabs in the district with most of the major parties contesting each one.

Today, we look at the Wathvale and Bishop Monkton division which will see three candidates standing for election.

Nick Brown, Conservative

Nick Brown will be standing as the Conservative candidate for Wathvale and Bishop Monkton division on May 5.

Mr Brown is currently the Bishop Monkton and Newby ward councillor on Harrogate Borough Council, which he has served for the past 14 years.

He said his priorities for the North Yorkshire Council would be to help oversee the transition to the new council and help further “democracy, openness, cost savings and efficiency”.

Mr Brown said:

“I have served the community in this role for the past 14 years, working hard for all residents, regardless of their political persuasion, and with every ward parish council in the area. 

“I have often spoken out on behalf of residents and their local issues, representing them vigorously regarding matters of interest to his electorate.”

Mr Brown added that he wanted to campaign for a “better deal” for rural areas from the new unitary council.

Hannah Corlett, Green Party

Hannah Corlett will be standing for the Green Party in the division on polling day.

Ms Corlett has lived in the village of Melmerby for the last five years and is a communications officer at Leeds and York Partnership Foundation Trust.

She joined the Green Party two years ago, which she has described as a “turning point” in her life.

Ms Corlett said she wants to see a “change in direction that people lead”, which she believes can be achieved from “the ground up”.

She said:

“When I joined the Green Party in 2020, it was part of a turning point in my life. I got involved with their activism straight away, fighting Harrogate Spring Waters expansion into Rotary Wood, public woodland. 

“Opening my eyes to the damage that is happening to our planet and the part we play in it, in the UK, driven by poor ideological policies. I want to see a change in direction that people lead, and I believe we can do this from the ground up with grassroots activism.”

Christopher Knight, Liberal Democrat

The Liberal Democrat candidate for the Wathvale and Bishop Monkton division will be Christopher Knight.

Mr Knight moved to the Yorkshire Dales in 2013 and is a semi-retired business consultant.

He said he is a believer in strong representation and “collaborative politics”.

Mr Knight said:

“I joined the Liberal Democrats in 2016 and I became active in the General Election campaign of 2019, supporting our Parliamentary Candidate Andrew Murday.

“I am a semi-retired business consultant who has lived and worked in several countries, and I speak French, German and some Italian. I am a passionate believer in strong local representation as well as collaborative politics at a regional, national and international level.”

Read more:

• How the Harrogate district’s wards will change ahead of local election
• Full list of election candidates in Harrogate district revealed

A separate by-election for the Wathvale ward on Harrogate Borough Council will also be held on May 5.

The election will see a new councillor elected to represent the ward on the borough council.

You can read more on the candidates here.

Ahead of polling day on May 5, the Stray Ferret will be previewing each of the divisions in the Harrogate district up for election to North Yorkshire Council.

A total of 21 seats will be up for grabs in the district with most of the major parties contesting each one.

Today, we look at the Knaresborough West division which will see three candidates standing for election.

Philip Ireland, Conservative

Philip Ireland will stand as the Conservative candidate for Knaresborough West division.

Mr Ireland, who lives in the town, currently represents Knaresborough Aspin and Calcutt ward on Harrogate Borough Council.

He is the cabinet member for carbon reduction and sustainability on the authority.

The Stray Ferret asked Mr Ireland for comment for this preview, but did not receive a response by the time of publication.

A Conservative party spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that they were confident in their election campaign and pledged to continue investing in services across North Yorkshire if elected.

A party spokesperson said:

“The Conservatives are fielding an experienced slate of candidates. This is important as we argue the case for local services with settlements from Selby to Richmond and Whitby to Settle.

“That case includes continued investment in local services that has seen a new pool in Ripon and the start of a new pool and leisure centre in Knaresborough.

“We are investing in the Hydro to provide more leisure facilities for local people.

“We need to continue the investment in our conference centre adapting it to the modern conference and exhibition industry. The centre underpins thousands of jobs across the district and brings in an estimated £29m to the local economy.”

David Crosthwaite, Labour

The Labour candidate for Knaresborough West will be David Crosthwaite.

Mr Crosthwaite has lived in Knaresborough for nearly 50 years and is a teacher.

He began his career at King James’ School and was later deputy headteacher at Selby High School, where he worked for 20 years.

Mr Crosthwaite added:

“For the last twelve years I have been Chairman of The Knaresborough Players, which is the registered charity that owns and operates Knaresborough’s Frazer Theatre as a not- for- profit community enterprise run entirely by unpaid volunteers. 

“If elected, I would support the values of a caring community.”

Matt Walker, Liberal Democrat

Matt Walker will be standing for the Liberal Democrats at the May 5 election.

Born and raised in Knaresborough, Mr Walker currently works for NHSX which created the NHS app and used to manage Harrogate accident and emergency department.

He said the NHS and social services need more investment and more needs to be done to “improve the quality of services delivered”.

Mr Walker said:

“As the number of houses in Knaresborough increases residents are concerned that the town infrastructure such as doctors dentists, school places are not developing to cope sufficiently with the towns increased population.

“I will work with local groups and the county council to improve the level of proactive planning for improved investment in the town.”

Read more:

• How the Harrogate district’s wards will change ahead of local election
• Full list of election candidates in Harrogate district revealed

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue has warned people to discard of cigarettes properly after a fire on Penny Pot Lane.

Crews from Harrogate were called to a fire to a gorse bush in the area yesterday.

The incident is believed to have been caused by a discarded cigarette.

The fire was put out on arrival, but the service is urging people to dispose of cigarettes carefully.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said:

“A reminder if you’re heading out today in the countryside to please take care. Dispose of cigarettes carefully, don’t leave glass bottles lying around and don’t light bbqs or camp fires on or near dry grass/moorlands. Call 999 if you see a wildfire.

“Grass fires like these can tie up our fire crews meaning they’re not available to attend other incidents.”

Read more:

• ‘No suspicious circumstances’ surrounding Brearton house fire, say fire service
• Firefighters battle large wildfire near Brimham Rocks

A resident near Bedlam has said crashes on a sharp bend near the village are a “common occurrence” after a car went through a fence yesterday.

Emergency services were called on Friday evening when a Peugeot 207 crashed into the fence on the B6165 between Ripley and Bedlam.

The incident left one lane passable as North Yorkshire Police dealt with the incident.

A resident who lives near Bedlam village told the Stray Ferret that locals had been campaigning for a reduced speed limit on the bend for the last 12 months.

The car crashed into the fence on the B6165 outside Ripley.

The resident, who did not wish to be named, said:

“Locals of Bedlam have recently been campaigning to have the speed limit reduced because it has become a common occurrence.”

The stretch of road is just before Whipley Bank heading into the village and is a national speed limit route.

However, crashes on the road are common according to locals.

Read more:

• Police warning after Land Rover thefts in Harrogate
• Villagers campaign to cut ‘dangerous’ speed limit in Burnt Yates

Last July, villagers in nearby Burnt Yates wrote to North Yorkshire County Council calling for a reduction in the speed limit on the B6165.

Loraine and Sid Hines, who have lived in Burnt Yates for 30 years, were worried that speeding cars and ‘boy racers’ would cause serious injury or death.

The speed limit through Burnt Yates is 30mph, with a 20mph section near the school. However, the section of the B6165 leaving the village has a 50mph limit and Ms Hines said more vehicles were exceeding this in recent years.

At the time, North Yorkshire County Council told the Stray Ferret it did not support a reduction in the speed limit.

A bumper crowd is expected at Harrogate Rugby Club today for the last home game of the season.

The club will welcome local rivals Wharfedale RUFC to Ruddling Lane in what is expected to see the largest crowd in more than five years at the ground.

The match will also be David “Doc” Doherty’s last home game after six years’ service. Doherty will step down after serving as director of rugby, as well as a player and coach.

Harrogate and Wharfedale faced each other just five weeks ago, when the latter ran out 23-21 winners.

As well as the first team match, the day will also see touch rugby and a mini-tournament take place ahead of the local derby.

A spokesperson for the club said:

“Besides the first XV match, there’s lots more happening on Saturday.  At 1pm it’s the tap-off of Harrogate Touch Rugby team’s first game of their season versus Catterick. Seen as an area of considerable future growth, Pitch 2 has been specially marked out for Touch Rugby matches over summer. New players of all ages are very welcome.

“At 1.30pm on Pitch 3, Harrogate’s U13 Boys kick off in a three-way round robin mini-tournament against touring side Chester and local rivals Moortown.”

Adult entrance to non-members is £10, all juniors have free entry. Kick off is 3pm.

Read more: 

• Harrogate’s director of rugby resigns
• Harrogate rugby club dedicates memorial bench to fan who died

Ahead of polling day on May 5, the Stray Ferret will be previewing each of the divisions in the Harrogate district up for election to North Yorkshire Council.

A total of 21 seats will be up for grabs in the district with most of the major parties contesting each one.

Today, we look at the Knaresborough East division which will see three candidates standing for election.

Ed Darling, Conservative

Ed Darling will be standing as the Conservative candidate for Knaresborough East.

Mr Darling is currently the sitting councillor for Knaresborough Castle ward on Harrogate Borough Council, which he was elected to in 2018.

He lives in Knaresborough and is currently vice-chair of both the licensing and human resources committee on the borough council.

On why he is standing, Mr Darling said:

“I have been a borough councillor since 2018 and, like the Labour candidate, live in the ward I seek to represent. I successfully lobbied the borough council to purchase the run-down dilapidated shops on the High Street, secured nearly £70k of grants to refurbish the Appleby play area and ensured countless potholes and street signs are fixed and graffiti vandalism removed.

“I keep residents informed about local issues including planning applications through my regular free In Touch community newsletters and have a track record of action in our area and I hope to be able to continue those efforts as part of the new unitary authority.”

He added:

“My priorities for Knaresborough East – and the wider town – are better road surfaces with repairs that last, improving access to cash with cash machines and banking counter services and much more.”

Sharon Calvert, Labour

Sharon Calvert is the Labour candidate for the division on May 5.

A Knaresborough resident, Ms Calvert works as a carer and special needs teacher and has lived in the town for 38 years.

She is also the women’s officer at the constituency Labour Party and is executive member for Harrogate at the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers.

Ms Calvert said:

“I will be a voice for those who do not have one in NYCC and will use my negotiation skills to ensure that all decisions are challenged when necessary and that fairness is achieved for all residents in Knaresborough. 

“I will push for sustainability and environmental awareness in all matters. ‘Think globally, act locally’.”

Hannah Gostlow, Liberal Democrat

Hannah Gostlow will be standing for the Liberal Democrats in the division for North Yorkshire Council.

Ms Gostlow lives in Knaresborough and is currently the councillor for Knaresborough Scriven Park on Harrogate Borough Council.

She is also a Knaresborough Town councillor and a board member for the Chain Lane Community Hub.

Ms Gostlow said among her priorities will be congestion, air quality and to improve the High Street.

She said:

“I believe it is important that Knaresborough has a strong voice in decisions that impact the town. I want to be elected to the new unitary authority to tackle the big issues facing our town such as; congestion and bad air quality, to improve our High Street.

“I already work hard with community groups to improve our public spaces and if elected I will work to integrate council services to address dog fouling, pavement parking, and speeding.”

Read more:

• Council chiefs promise ‘seamless transition’ to new North Yorkshire Council
• Full list of election candidates in Harrogate district revealed

Andrew Jones MP has said it is right for the Committee of Privileges to investigate MPs in light of a probe into Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s conduct.

In a speech to the House of Commons yesterday, the Harrogate and Knaresborough MP said there was a “problem with standards in our politics”.

The move comes as the Prime Minister is facing a Commons investigation into whether he misled MPs by telling them covid laws in No 10 Downing Street were followed amid an ongoing row over lockdown parties.

Mr Jones told MPs, who were debating whether to approve the probe into the Prime Minister, that higher standards were required across parliament.

He said:

“When there are questions about the conduct of any Member in this place, it is right for the Committee of Privileges to take a look at that case.

“It is right for it to investigate, it is right for it to make a judgment and it is right for that to happen whoever the Member is.

“That is the correct procedure for our House, and has been the case for a significant time. If any matters of privilege come to the House for a decision to trigger an investigation, it is right for that to happen. I support privileges investigations. It is our due process.”

Read more:

• Harrogate district MPs silent on Boris Johnson’s future
• Andrew Jones MP urges Northern to ‘rethink’ cuts to Harrogate trains

Mr Jones reiterated his call for the Sue Gray report into lockdown parties at Number 10 to be published in full.

He added:

“That is still my view. I recognise that the Met needs time and space to complete its work, but every effort must be made to bring this matter to a conclusion as fast as possible. Colleagues are making comments when we have not seen all the evidence.

“I can understand that, because I have done so, too, but the Privileges Committee must be allowed time and space to conclude its investigation and colleagues should not prejudge that.”

Analysis

At a time when Conservative MPs are considering their support for the Prime Minister, Mr Jones has remained coy over where his support lies.

Mr Jones’ contribution to the House of Commons debate was very carefully worded.

He has made his view on the wider standards in Parliament clear, but stopped short of disclosing whether or not he has acted upon this with his own party leader and the 1922 committee.

Meanwhile, Skipton and Ripon MP, Julian Smith, has remained silent on the matter and so too has Nigel Adams, Selby and Ainsty MP, who is a staunch ally of the Prime Minister.

Last week, the Stray Ferret asked all Harrogate district MPs whether Mr Johnson and Chancellor Rishi Sunk should resign after being notified by the Metropolitan Police that they would be given a fixed penalty notice for breaching covid rules.

However, none replied.