Harrogate district booster vaccines take-up reaches 80,000

More than 80,000 booster and third vaccines have been administered in the Harrogate district, according to the latest government figures.

Across the district, 2,380 booster jabs were given yesterday, as the vaccination programme is accelerated.

Today, staff at Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Showground confirmed it has expanded its capacity to 2,000 jabs a day.

UK Health Security Agency figures show that a total of 81,463 booster and third vaccines have been given in the district so far.

Meanwhile, the Harrogate district has reported a further 87 covid cases, according to today’s government figures.

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The Harrogate district’s covid rate has fallen to 378 infections per 100,000 people.

Across the county, the average stands at 368 and the England rate is 536.

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

Latest available figures show nine covid patients are being treated at Harrogate District Hospital.

77,000 booster vaccines given so far in Harrogate district

More than 77,000 booster and third vaccines have been administered in the Harrogate district, according to the latest government figures.

The government announced on Monday that all adults aged over-18 will be offered a booster jab before the end of this month in an effort to tackle the Omicron variant.

UK Health Security Agency figures show that a total of 77,256 booster and third vaccines have been given in the district so far.

Health bosses in Harrogate confirmed today that a vaccination centre will be set up at Harrogate District Hospital as part of the ongoing rollout of booster jabs.

It will provide another booster option for over-18s, who can currently receive jabs at the GP-run Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate and Ripon Races or one of several pharmacy sites in the district.

Meanwhile, the Harrogate district has reported a further 109 covid cases, according to today’s government figures.

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Weekly data from the UK Health Security Agency shows that five suspected cases of the Omicron variant have been reported in the district.

The Harrogate district’s covid rate now stands at 392 infections per 100,000 people.

Across the county, the average stands at 372 and the England rate is 521.

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

Latest available figures show nine covid patients are being treated at Harrogate District Hospital.

Final full Harrogate council meeting of 2021 cancelled over covid concerns

Harrogate Borough Council has cancelled its final full meeting of the year due to covid concerns.

All 40 councillors plus staff were due to attend the meeting at the council’s Civic Centre in Harrogate tomorrow, but a spokesperson has now announced it has been cancelled as there would have been “difficulties to social distance”.

Although social distancing rules were lifted earlier this year, current government guidance says people should still “consider the risks of close contact”.

The council has only held two full council meetings in-person in 2021 – one in July at Harrogate Convention Centre and one in October at the Civic Centre.

All others have either been held online or cancelled.

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Early in the pandemic, the government changed legislation on council meetings so that they could be held online.

However, these rules were changed in summer when all council meetings legally had to be held in person again.

Among the items that were due to be discussed at tomorrow’s meeting was an update on the performance of Harrogate Convention Centre, as well as a call for some public buildings to be handed over to parish councils under local government reorganisation.

The council spokesperson said: 

“Given the difficulties to social distance in the chamber, and the short notice to try and arrange another venue, the meeting of the council has been cancelled.”

Vaccination centre to open at Harrogate hospital

A vaccination centre is set to open at Harrogate District Hospital this weekend as part of the ramping up of covid booster vaccines.

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust confirmed today that it hopes the site will open on Saturday.

It will provide another booster option for over-18s, who can currently receive jabs at the GP-run Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate and Ripon Races or one of several pharmacy sites in the district.

Dr Matt Shepherd, deputy chief operating officer at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, said: 

“The trust is responding as quickly as possible to the national ask to rapidly expand and support the covid-19 booster programme.

“We are currently establishing a vaccination centre for the public at Harrogate District Hospital where we can provide them with covid-19 booster vaccinations.

“The centre is aiming to be open from Saturday, December 18, and members of the public can book their vaccination via the national booking service.”

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Following the announcement of the speed-up in the booster programme, Health Secretary Sajid Javid told the House of Commons that some non-urgent and elective surgery “may be postponed until the new year”.

The Stray Ferret asked Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust whether any non-urgent appointments would be delayed as part of the booster vaccine programme.

In response, Dr Shepherd said:

“We are also reviewing our services to see what treatment we could potentially defer for a few weeks to provide more staff to the community vaccination programme.

“Currently we are not considering delays to surgery, urgent or cancer work. We will of course keep any disruption as minimal as possible and will contact any patients as soon as we can if their care is going to be deferred in any way.”

‘Tidal wave of Omicron’

News that the hospital will provide vaccines follows Prime Minister Boris Johnson announcement on Monday that every adult in Britain will be offered a booster jab by the end of December, as he warned there was a “tidal wave of Omicron coming”.

As part of the effort, the showground site has extended walk-in booster jabs until Christmas Eve.

The showground site, which is run by Yorkshire Health Network, a federation of the 17 GP practices in the Harrogate district, is also offering walk-in clinics for 12 to 18-year-olds from 2pm to 4pm tomorrow and 2pm to 4pm on Monday next week.

So far, 74,680 booster vaccines have been given in the Harrogate district, according to government figures.

Harrogate gallery organises charity Christmas tree for refugees

A Harrogate gallery has set up a charity Giving Tree in aid of children from Syria and Afghanistan.

Watermark Gallery has organised the Christmas tree, which is decorated with a tag for each of the 73 refugee children in the Harrogate district.

Anyone who would like to support the project is being asked to take a tag and buy a gift of up to £20 suitable for the age and gender given.

Two-year-old Agatha (pictured above) was the first to buy a gift.

Anna Martola, from Watermark Gallery who has organised the project, said:

“We were struck by how much these families have been through and wanted to do something positive and creative to help welcome them to our region.

“These children have so little and will be surrounded by others who are receiving so much.”

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The gallery is working with Ripon City of Sanctuary, a charity that supports families throughout the Harrogate district, many of whom have recently arrived from Syria and Afghanistan.

For those who are not able to buy their own gift, the gallery is taking donations and will buy on their behalf. It is also donating colouring books and coloured pencils to each family. 

A spokesperson for Ripon City of Sanctuary said:

“We are so delighted that Watermark Gallery has chosen Ripon City of Sanctuary as their charity this year. It is such a positive and welcoming project and we know just how grateful our families will be”.

Anyone wishing to donate a gift is asked to do so before December 18 to give the charity time to distribute them out to each family. 

Watermark Gallery can be contacted on 01423 562659 or in person at 8 Royal Parade, Harrogate, HG1 2SZ.

Walk-in boosters at Great Yorkshire Showground extended to Christmas Eve

Walk-in booster vaccinations will be available at Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Showground until at least Christmas Eve, health bosses have confirmed.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson last night announced that every adult in Britain will be offered a covid booster jab by the end of December, as he warned there was a “tidal wave of Omicron coming”.

North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group has since confirmed that people over-18 will be able to get a jab at the showground without an appointment until December 24.

Staff at Yorkshire Health Network, a federation of the 17 GP practices in the Harrogate district, also said today the showground site was offering walk-in clinics for 12 to 18-year-olds from 2pm to 4pm on Wednesday and 2pm to 4pm on Monday next week.

On Christmas Eve, the vaccination site will be open from 9am until 11.30am.

Booked appointments

All adults will also be able to book appointments on the NHS national booking service from Wednesday.

Those who choose to book will be given appointments at either the Yorkshire Event Centre, Knaresborough’s Chain Lane pharmacy, Ripon racecourse or other pharmacy sites in the district.

So far, 74,680 booster vaccines have been given in the Harrogate district, according to government figures.

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70 infections today

Meanwhile, the Harrogate district has reported a further 70 covid cases, according to today’s government figures.

Data from the UK Health Security Agency shows that five suspected cases of the omicron variant have been reported in the district.

The Harrogate district’s covid rate now stands at 407 infections per 100,000 people.

Across the county, the average stands at 382 and the England rate is 515.

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

Latest available figures show nine covid patients are being treated at Harrogate District Hospital.

Harrogate man jailed for ‘using car as weapon’ to cause serious injury

A Harrogate man has been sentenced to prison for causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

George McGeogh, 24, admitted using his car to injure his ex-girlfriend’s new partner on Knox Lane in May 2020.

Leeds Crown Court was told this morning that McGeogh “used his car as a weapon” to injure the man before driving off and leaving the scene of the incident.

McGeogh, of Harlow Park Road, was sentenced to 16 months in prison and disqualified from driving.

On May 1, 2020, McGeogh pulled up in his Volkswagen Golf on Knox Lane beside his ex-girlfriend and the victim, who were both named in court.

The pair were walking their dog, which the court heard the female had got while with McGeogh.

The court was told that McGeogh then got out of the car and shouted “you think you can walk my dog?”

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He started to throw punches at the man before returning to his car to try the boot. He then returned to throw more punches.

McGeogh got into his car and the victim started to run. McGeogh mounted the grass verge and broke before the man turned and slipped.

McGeogh then hit him with the car and then drove off.

‘Highly remorseful’

The prosecution told the court that it was “miraculous” that the victim’s only serious injury was a broken cheekbone.

The court heard that McGeogh had told a friend he needed to hand himself into police. He had also referred himself to mental health services following the incident.

Knox Lane in Harrogate.

Knox Lane in Harrogate.

In defence, Graeme Wilson QC, said that McGeogh “saw red mist” and it was “out of a character” for him.

He said:

“His actions were impulsive and reckless, which he accepts. He is highly remorseful.”

Mr Wilson added that McGeogh had since found a stable relationship and was employing four people as a self-employed electrician.

Using car ‘as a weapon’

Sentencing McGeogh, Judge Geoffrey Marson QC said the only “appropriate punishment” was a custodial sentence.

He said:

“It is perfectly clear to me that you were using your car as a weapon to frighten your victim.”

Judge Marson described the attack as “wholly unprovoked” and added:

“It is a miracle he (the victim) was not more seriously injured. But the coward that you were, you simply drove off.”

Judge Marson said he accepted that McGeogh did not intend to run over the man and that the defendant had shown “genuine level of remorse”.

McGeogh is expected to serve half of his 16 months sentence before being released from prison on licence.

Residents submit formal complaint over 200 Pannal Ash homes

Residents in Pannal Ash have lodged a formal complaint to Harrogate Borough Council following its decision to approve a controversial plan for 200 homes on a former police training centre site.

The authority’s planning committee granted permission for the development last Tuesday after debating the application for almost three hours.

Homes England, which is the government housing agency, had permission to build 161 homes on the Yew Tree Lane site but wanted to increase this by 23% to 200 homes by building on a sports pitch.

Following the decision, Harlow and Pannal Ash Residents Association described the meeting as “shambolic” and “embarrassing”.

Now the group has lodged a formal complaint to the council over the conduct of the meeting.

In a statement, HAPARA said:

“The complaint refers to a chaotic and confusing session in which the committee first rejected the officer’s recommendation and, some three hours later, reversed their decision to approve the application.

“This followed a claim by the applicant that the committee had previously acted unlawfully, perceived threats from the applicant of costly appeals, constant reference to costs by officers, interruption by officers of members’ debates and inaccurate and misleading advice from the chair.

“Although much of the debate centred on the role of the emerging West of Harrogate Parameters Plan, no officer from that team was present to clarify the purpose and timetable for the plan and some misleading statements made at the meeting went uncorrected.”

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HAPARA added that it believed the committee was “unduly influenced by the threat of the costs” and had called on the council chief executive, Wallace Sampson, to comment on the “validity of the decision reached”.

Harrogate Borough Council has been approached for comment.

Last week, David Stephenson, senior planning manager at Homes England, warned councillors that while launching a costly appeal against the council was an “absolute last resort” for the body it was a route it was willing to take.

During the meeting, Liberal Democrat councillor Pat Marsh accused Homes England of “bullying” councillors into approving the plans.

Follifoot business park appeals expansion plan refusal

The owners of a business park in Follifoot have appealed a decision to refuse permission to expand onto green belt land.

Harrogate Borough Council rejected a plan to build two new buildings on Follifoot Ridge Business Park, which would have created space for five commercial units.

The development would have sat next to existing units (pictured above) previously allowed because they were classed as farm conversions.

The owners of the park said the new units would help to meet demand from businesses for more space.

Kim Eastwood, a planning agent for the business park, told the council in June that the development would have little impact on the area because the green belt land is already surrounded by existing units.

However, the council’s planning committee rejected the proposal. In its reason for refusal, the authority said:

“The application site is not considered previously developed land. The proposal is therefore inappropriate development which, by definition, is harmful to the green belt and it would also result in some limited harm to the openness of the green belt.

“Although the proposal would bring economic benefits it is not considered that ‘very special circumstances’ exist that clearly outweigh the potential harm to the green belt by reason of inappropriateness and the impacts on openness.”

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In its statement of case, the business park’s planning agent, ID Planning, said the development was not “inappropriate” and that it disagreed with the council’s conclusion.

It said:

“The appellant disagrees with the reason for refusal based on the development being inappropriate as the site is not brownfield land.

“The appellant considers that the site is brownfield land but notwithstanding this considers the development comprises limited infilling.”

How the business park would look with the commercial units built on the green belt land.

How the business park would look with the commercial units built on the green belt land.

It added that the scheme had economic benefits and would not have an “impact on the openness of the green belt”.

“The development provides clear economic benefits set out in full in the planning statement and supported and acknowledged by the local planning authority which further support the appellants case for planning permission to be granted.”

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

Harrogate council billed NHS £3 million for Nightingale costs

Harrogate Borough Council billed the NHS more than £3 million in costs associated with Harrogate’s Nightingale Hospital.

Set up at the council-owned Harrogate Convention Centre in April last year at a cost of £27 million, the hospital did not treat a single covid patient during the pandemic. But it was used to provide CT scans to non-coronavirus patients.

Following the rollout of the vaccination programme, the 500-bed hospital was decommissioned in March this year.

Although the local authority did not charge the health service rent, it did invoice them for other related costs.

Figures from Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust show a total of £3,004,634 was billed to the trust during the time the Nightingale was in place.

Invoices between £124,000 and £375,000 a month were made by the council.

A spokesperson for Harrogate Borough Council confirmed the payments were for utility bills, business rates and building insurance.

Nightingale payments to council since April 2020:

April, May, June: £378,220

July: £353,279

August: £144,583

September: £161,518

October: £124,449

November: £359,968

December: £361,657

2021

January: £372,152

February: £373,479

March: £375,329

As previously reported, the health service also paid consultancy firm KPMG £922,899 to help set up the Harrogate Nightingale.

NHS documents revealed Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust paid the company the sum during the first three months of the hospital being in place.

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During the pandemic, the government earmarked £3 billion of funding to support the seven Nightingale hospitals across the country.

‘A costly PR stunt’

While it was heralded as a “tremendous success” by local councillors, the lack of use of the Nightingale proved to be contentious and prompted calls for an inquiry.

Harrogate councillor Jim Clark, who sits on the West Yorkshire Joint Health Scrutiny Committee, proposed an investigation into the hospital in order to “learn lessons” from the matter.

Cllr Clark also suggested using the hospital for other medical reasons, such as routine operations, flu jabs and patient recuperation.

Meanwhile, Lord Newby, the Liberal Democrat leader in the House of Lords, who lives in Ripon, has described the Nightingale as a “costly PR stunt” and said it should have been closed months before it was decommissioned.