North Yorkshire’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner has selected her preferred candidate to be the county’s chief fire officer.
Zoe Metcalfe has chosen Jonathan Dyson for the role. Mr Dyson is currently the interim deputy chief fire officer at North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.
Jon Foster, who is the current interim chief fire officer, will retire from the service after 38 years.
Mr Dyson started his career in South Yorkshire, where he held roles as head of training and head of service delivery.
He joined the North Yorkshire service in 2020 as director of assurance, leading and delivering organisational change, and was appointed interim deputy chief fire officer last year.
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Mr Dyson will be recommended to the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel for appointment.
Ms Metcalfe said:
“I’m delighted to choose Jonathan Dyson as my preferred candidate for the role of chief fire officer, who I believe will be excellent at leading the service into the future and continue to keep people safe and feeling safe in North Yorkshire and York.
“Having worked within our service for the past two years, and most recently as interim deputy chief fire officer, Jonathan is someone who knows our community, has the respect of his colleagues, and is committed to creating an even stronger and more sustainable service.
“I look forward to Jonathan’s suitability being approved at the upcoming Police, Fire and Crime Panel’s confirmation hearing later this month, and from there working with him to deliver a modern, inclusive, responsive, and respected organisation that protects people and property, and saves lives.”
Mr Dyson said:
Ripon Cathedral plans St Wilfrid 1,350th anniversary commemorative stone“I feel truly honoured to be the preferred candidate for the role of chief fire officer and privileged to continue serving the public of North Yorkshire and York. I will build on the outstanding contribution Jon Foster has made on behalf of the Service, and I wish him the very best on his next venture.
“I want to ensure North Yorkshire remains one of the safest places in the country to live, work, or visit. My desire is to continue building an inclusive, sustainable organisation by transforming our service delivery. A key priority is to develop our partnerships, ensuring our staff, volunteers and partners feel valued and able to be their very best for our communities.”
Ripon Cathedral has unveiled plans for a commemorative stone to mark the 1,350th anniversary of St Wilfrid’s church.
The stone would be installed at the cathedral to mark St Wilfrid and his “long lasting influence” on the city.
Ripon Cathedral has submitted the plan to Harrogate Borough Council as part of a listed building application.
According to documents submitted to the authority, the stone would be made from black polished limestone.
It would include Wilfrid’s date of birth and death and stars which were his insignia.
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The stone would be installed inside the cathedral just before entering the Quire in order to give it “suitable prominence”. It would also be in a position which reflects the east end of Wilfrid’s original Anglo-Saxon church.
In documents submitted to the council, the cathedral said:
“The key aim of creating and placing the stone in the location proposed is to activate the deep history of this place and to acknowledge and celebrate the profound impact of the life of St Wilfrid in creating the church from which our cathedral grew.
“Part of his great legacy of places created to the glory of God with a shared spiritual heritage that continues to resonate with people to this day.”
Harrogate Borough Council will make a decision on the plan at a later date.
New Conservative Wathvale councillor puts young people at top of agendaAmid the frenzy of Friday’s election results for the new North Yorkshire Council, a new Harrogate borough councillor was voted in.
Conservative Sam Green was elected to represent the Wathvale ward for the final year of Harrogate Borough Council before the authority is abolished in April 2023.
He beat his closest rival Liberal Democrat Chris Knight by 365 votes, while the Green Party’s Hannah Corlett came in third place.
Speaking after his by-election win, Cllr Green, who is 26-years-old and a former Harrogate Grammar School student, pledged to put young people at the top of his agenda.
He said:
“This is my first time standing for election, so I’m of course delighted to have been elected to represent the people of Wathvale.
“I’ll strive unceasingly to try to fulfil the trust and confidence that the people of Wathvale have placed in me and the things in which I believe.
“It is my ambition to encourage greater engagement by younger voters and to try and address the fundamental issues affecting our future generations, including a need for more genuinely affordable homes.”
The by-election was held following the resignation of Conservative councillor Bernard Bateman who held the Wathvale seat since 2016.
Read more:
- Parties react as Tories maintain narrow majority in North Yorkshire
- What cost the Tories votes in the Harrogate district?
Cllr Green, who owns a financial and real estate company in the town, is now the youngest of the borough council’s 39 members.
He added:
“I know first hand from my peers that many young people simply cannot afford to remain in the rural villages and locations in which they have grown up in, in many instances due to the cost of housing or lack of suitable supply.
“This is a critical issue not only for these people and their families, but also for the future of the settlements themselves.
“Without fresh blood and ideas, villages and settlements slowly become less and less sustainable, with the resulting loss of services and facilities.
“Moreover, if our young people are then forced to move out of the borough to meet their housing needs in lower value areas, this creates a needless brain drain and will have several knock on effects across the borough.
“The answer is not simple, but this is something I feel very passionately has to be looked at properly and every viable avenue explored to try and address the issue.”
The turnout for the by-election vote was 38%.
Meanwhile, Conservative Nick Brown was voted in to represent the Wathvale and Bishop Monkton division on the new North Yorkshire Council in last Thursday’s local elections.
His victory was one of a few reasons to celebrate for the Tories, which loosened their grip on Harrogate by winning nine seats on the new unitary authority compared to 10 for the Liberal Democrats.
One Green Party candidate and one Independent were also elected in the district.
Election 2022: Ripon Minster and Moorside candidate previewAhead of polling day on May 5, the Stray Ferret is 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 Ripon Minster and Moorside division which will see three candidates standing for election.
Thomas Averre, Conservative
Thomas Averre will be the Conservative candidate for the Ripon Minster and Moorside division.
Mr Averre said he was standing for North Yorkshire Council to “bring new energy into local government and improve local services”.
He said his priorities for council would be restoring faith in politics, improving Ripon’s infrastructure and to make “the most of the opportunities the new unitary authority is bringing”, including funding and new powers.
Mr Averre said:
“Candidates are elected to represent the views of residents, but often seem to have the answers before they have asked the questions.
“Trust and credibility matters to me so I’m not making lots of promises that can’t be delivered or airing a view on issues I won’t be able to influence, but instead outlining my priorities that will guide my approach if elected. On straightforward issues like potholes and litter, I will work quickly to fix them and keep residents updated on progress.
“On complex issues like social care funding, planning and economic development, I will take time to listen to residents and fully understand issues before coming to a judgement based on the Council’s capabilities and Ripon’s needs.”
Andrew Williams, Independent
Andrew Williams will be standing as an independent candidate in the division.
Mr Williams, who lives in the city, is currently the leader of Ripon City Council.
He is one of two independent candidates standing in divisions in Ripon.
On why he is standing for the new North Yorkshire Council, Mr Williams said he wanted Ripon to have a “greater say over its own affairs”.
Mr Williams said:
“As a lifelong Riponian I am passionate about Ripon but not about party politics which is why I am standing as an Independent so that I can speak up for Ripon rather than been directed how to speak by a political party.
“North Yorkshire County Council has had an overwhelming Conservative majority for years and look at the state of the roads in Ripon and the cuts to youth services which they have imposed upon our city.
“Unlike my Conservative opponent I live in Ripon and the decisions taken regarding Ripon impact my family as much as they do you, it’s time for Ripon to have a greater say over its own affairs and every Independent vote on Thursday will help to achieve it.”
Thomas Cavell-Taylor, Liberal Democrat
Thomas Cavell-Taylor is the Liberal Democrat candidate for the Ripon Minster and Moorside division.
Mr Cavell-Taylor will be one of two Liberal Democrats standing in divisions in Ripon.
He is currently a co-opted governor at Ripon Grammar School.
Mr Cavell-Taylor ran as a Liberal Democrat candidate for the Ripon Spa ward on Harrogate Borough Council in May 2018, but lost to the Conservatives.
Read more:
- How the Harrogate district’s wards will change ahead of local election
- Full list of election candidates in Harrogate district revealed
Knaresborough junction set for four weeks of roadworks
Drivers are warned to expect delays in Knaresborough for the next four weeks as roadworks start today.
Temporary traffic lights will be in place on the junction of Chain Lane, Wetherby Road and York Road.
North Yorkshire County Council is carrying out remedial work and replacing the kerbs at the junction.
Work will start today, May 3, and last for four weeks.
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- Calls to reduce ‘plethora’ of Otley Road cycle path signs
- A1(M) junction 47 upgrade at Flaxby completed
The move comes after the road recently had temporary traffic lights for two weeks while Northern Gas Networks carried out work on the junction.
The gas distributor for the north of England replaced metal pipes with newer plastic versions.
It said in a press release the work would “ensure a safe and reliable supply of gas to customers now while getting the network ready to transport alternative greener fuels such as hydrogen in the future”.
Election 2022: Washburn and Birstwith candidate previewAhead of polling day on May 5, the Stray Ferret is previewing each of the divisions in the Harrogate district up for election to North Yorkshire Council.
A total of 21 seats will be contested in the district with most of the major parties standing in each one.
Today, we look at the Washburn and Birstwith division, where four candidates have put themselves forward.
Nathan Hull, Conservative
The Conservative candidate for Washburn and Birstiwth is Nathan Hull.
Mr Hull, who lives in Nidderdale, works as a solicitor in Harrogate.
On his priorities for standing, Mr Hull said:
“I am a family man, married with five children and have lived in Nidderdale for almost 10 years. By day I work in Harrogate as a solicitor.
“My priorities, if elected, will be to increase road safety around our villages by reducing speeding, ensure that local housing development serves local residents, look after our local schools and special schools, look after the elderly and vulnerable — some of my children have disabilities — protect our environment and countryside and support local businesses and organisations.”
Paul Trewhitt, Green Party
Paul Trewhitt will be the Green Party candidate for the division.
Mr Trewhitt has lived in Lower Nidderdale for the last 20 years and is a chartered marketer by trade.
He said his priorities if elected would be to tackle environmental issues such as flooding and water run-off, energy poverty, sustainable transport, as well as affordable housing.
Mr Trewhitt said:
“My primary concern is the environmental legacy current policies will leave on future generations.
I have lived in Lower Nidderdale for the last 20 years and feel well grounded within the community.
“My great-grandfather farmed in the valley at the time of the First World War. I am interested in local and environmental issues which will affect this community.”
Read more:
- How the Harrogate district’s wards will change ahead of local election
- Full list of election candidates in Harrogate district revealed
Ian Galloway, Independent
Ian Galloway will be an independent candidate for the Washburn and Birstwith division.
Mr Galloway was the Conservative councillor for Bishop Monkton on Harrogate Borough Council until 2018.
But, he said he is standing as an independent after not being selected by the party.
Mr Galloway, who lives in Beckwithshaw, said his priority if elected would be to get more funding for rural areas.
He said:
“We are at the southern end of the new unitary authority area and we need to be cute and keep our eyes open.
“Resources are going to be allocated for by Harrogate and Scarborough. So we will need to keep our eyes open.”
Tom Watson, Liberal Democrat
The Liberal Democrat candidate for Washburn and Birstwith is Tom Watson.
Mr Watson lives in Dacre Banks with his wife.
He is currently the councillor for Nidd Valley on Harrogate Borough Council, which he was elected to six years ago.
Mr Watson is also chair of Hartwith-cum-Winsley Parish Council.
He said:
Election 2022: Ripon Ure Bank and Spa candidate preview“I am a hard-working experienced councillor with the time, energy and commitment to actively represent the people of this new division on the new North Yorkshire Council.”
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 Ripon Ure Bank and Spa division which will see four candidates standing for election.
Mike Chambers, Conservative
Mike Chambers is the Conservative candidate for Ripon Ure Bank and Spa division.
Mr Chambers has been associated with Ripon since 1967 and has lived permanently in the city since 1993.
He retired from the Royal Air Force in 2001, following a career, spanning 35 years, and took-up the appointment of Unit Welfare Officer at Claro Barracks, initially with 38 Engineer Regiment and subsequently with 21 Engineer Regiment, until eventually retiring in March 2012.
Mr Chambers currently represents the city on Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council. He also sits on Ripon City Council.
He is also the cabinet member for housing and safer communities on the borough council.
Mr Chambers said:
“The establishment of the new North Yorkshire Council presents new opportunities for Ripon. It is vital that we have strong representatives, able to speak out and get the best deal for Ripon.
“With a proven record of service to our community, I believe that I am well placed to speak up for and deliver for Ripon.”
Robin Burgess, Green Party
Robin Burgess will stand for the Green Party in the division.
Mr Burgess lives in Ripon and manages the IT infrastructure at a scientific electronics company.
He said got interested in politics while at school in Knaresborough and believes in the “societal value of political participation”.
On why he is standing, Mr Burgess said:
“As a councillor, my goal will be to represent the interests of the people of Ripon and ensure that they have access to the public services they need in an environment that supports their health and wellbeing.
“I am standing as a Green Party candidate because they are the only party that shares my commitment to protecting our planet whilst promoting a fairer society for everyone.”
Sid Hawke, Independent
Sid Hawke will be standing as an independent candidate in the division.
Mr Hawke, who lives in Ripon, currently represents the area on Harrogate Borough Council which he was elected to in 2018.
He also sits as a councillor on Ripon City Council.
On why he is standing for the new North Yorkshire Council, Mr Hawke said:
“I have lived in Ripon all my life and I am seeking election as an Independent because I believe in standing up for local residents rather than a political party.
“Ripon needs to see greater investment in our roads and pavements many of which are a disgrace and have been neglected by the Conservatives who take Ripon for granted.
“We need to see a significant improvement in the policing of our city and a provision of greater opportunities for the youth of Ripon.
“I am strongly opposed to the building of 1300 homes on the Claro Barracks which I believe will bring traffic gridlock to Ripon, we need a much more balanced use of this site.”
Barbara Brodigan, Liberal Democrat
The Liberal Democrat candidate for the division is Barbara Brodigan.
Ms Brodigan lives in Ripon and is a trained teacher who currently works as an education consultant, managing educational partnerships between schools, colleges and universities across Europe.
She founded the Ripon Spa Residents Action Group, which campaigns for a sustainable and improved road infrastructure ahead of the development of Ripon barracks.
She also campaign against overdevelopment, believing that the “fabric of the ancient city should be preserved and maintained for residents and visitors”.
Election 2022: Ouseburn candidate previewAhead 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 Ouseburn division which will see two candidates standing for election.
Richard Musgrave, Conservative
Richard Musgrave will be the Conservative candidate for the Ouseburn division on North Yorkshire Council.
Mr Musgrave is currently the councillor for the Escrick Division on North Yorkshire County Council.
The Stray Ferret asked Mr Musgrave 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.”
Arnold Warneken, Green Party
Arnold Warneken is the Green Party candidate for the Ouseburn division on North Yorkshire Council.
Mr Warneken has lived in Ainsty for 40 years and was the councillor for Marston Moor on Harrogate Borough Council in the 1980s.
He said he joined the Green Party as it “recognises the need for social and environmental justice”.
On standing for North Yorkshire Council, Mr Warneken said:
“I joined the Green Party because it recognises the need for social and environmental justice, through the empowerment of local communities, with positive solutions to the issues that challenge human survival.
“I am active throughout the year organising food parcels via Ainsty Community Larder, medicines deliveries, and transport for residents. I support road safety measures such as 20’s Plenty and better recycling facilities, and I have personally emptied overflowing dog-poo bins. I have also distributed 300 recycling bags & boxes to residents.
“I have a proven track record of getting things done as a volunteer so that I can achieve so much more as a county councillor.”
Read more:
- How the Harrogate district’s wards will change ahead of local election
- Full list of election candidates in Harrogate district revealed
Election 2022: Boroughbridge and Claro candidate preview
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 Boroughbridge and Claro division which will see five candidates standing for election.
Robert Windass, Conservative
Robert Windass is the Conservative candidate for the Boroughbridge and Claro division.
Mr Windass currently sits as a councillor on Harrogate Borough Council and represents the area on the authority.
The Stray Ferret asked Mr Harrison 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.”
Clark Pearson, Green Party
Clark Pearson is the green Party division on May 5.
Mr Pearson has lived in Knaresborough for the last 10 years. He has an interest in geography and architecture.
He said he was standing as he wants to protect the area from the climate emergency.
Mr Pearson said:
“It is one of the most picturesque places I know. With that in mind, why are we ruining, Knaresborough, Britain, and the world?
“The planet is suffocating under a blanket of plastic and being warmed by a thermal insulation of CO2, all caused by this selfish animal we call humans.”
Jon Starkey, Independent
Jon Starkey will be standing as an independent candidate in Boroughbridge and Claro division.
Mr Starkey lives in Boroughbridge and is self-employed, working in event sound, lighting and audio visual.
He said his priorities for standing include lower council tax, tackling litter and fly-tipping, improving bus services, stopping major housing developments and improving accountability of councillors.
He said:
“I am a non-political candidate who is not governed or regulated by the policies of the national parties, consequently,
“I can better represent the interests and the residents of the area by saying exactly what I think without the need to tow the party line, and bring a whole new common sense attitude to local government.”
Read more:
- How the Harrogate district’s wards will change ahead of local election
- Full list of election candidates in Harrogate district revealed
Andrew Bell, Liberal Democrat
Andrew Bell will be the Liberal Democrat candidate for Boroughbridge and Claro division.
Mr Bell, who lives in Knaresborough, said he is standing to tackle environmental issues and “improve the area”.
He set up Knaresborough Wombles, a group which litter picking group in the town.
Mr Bell said:
“I believe that we need to see a significant improvement in recycling rates, significantly increased electric car charging points, improvements to house building standards and introduction of local renewable energy schemes such as more local hydroelectric generating schemes.
“It important that the county council does more to support improved high street economies for towns such as Boroughbridge.”
Noel Evans, Independent
Noel Evans will be standing as an independent candidate in the division.
Mr Evans, who lives in Goldsborough, said he was standing after having “direct dealings” with Harrogate Borough Council over a planning matter.
He said:
“I put myself forward having seen, first-hand through direct dealings with the Council on a local planning matter, how council officials and councillors (of both parties) are entirely focussed on matters deemed ‘important’ for the council with total disregard for the residents of the area, who as council-taxpayers pay their wages and allowances and vote to keep them in office.
“The new North Yorkshire Council needs a new start with new people. And local decision making rather than influence from national political parties. We need independent councillors.”
However, Mr Evans added that he had would also be urging people to vote for Mr Starkey as two independents stand in the division.
He said he was doing this because the area needed “independent and local decisions made for the ward by a councillor living in the ward”.
Election 2022: Spofforth with Lower Wharfedale and Tockwith candidate previewAhead of polling day on May 5, the Stray Ferret is 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 Spofforth with Lower Wharfedale and Tockwith division which will see three candidates standing for election.
Andrew Paraskos, Conservative
The Conservative candidate for the Spofforth with Lower Wharfedale and Tockwith division is Andrew Paraskos.
Mr Paraskos is currently the Spofforth With Lower Wharefdale councillor on Harrogate Borough Council. He also sits on North Yorkshire County Council.
The Stray Ferret asked Mr Paraskos 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.”
Alexandra Marsh, Green Party
Alexandra Marsh is the Green Party candidate for the division on May 5.
Ms Marsh has lived in Cowthorpe for 35 years and runs an organic food business.
She is semi-retired and is currently responsible financial officer for Tockwith with Wilstop Parish Council.
On why she is standing for North Yorkshire Council, Ms Marsh said:
“I want the new NY Council to better support our rural communities, particularly our most vulnerable residents and our hard-hit small businesses, whilst reducing North Yorkshire’s carbon footprint as a matter of urgency.
“The Green Party is the only Party genuinely committed to safeguarding life on this very special planet.”
John Hall, Yorkshire Party
John Hall will be standing for the Yorkshire Party in the division on election day.
Mr Hall lives in Follifoot village near Harrogate and ran his own business for 30 years.
Between work and family time, he also taught cycling proficiency in local schools.
Mr Hall believes that Yorkshire should have “proper, powerful devolution through a regional parliament” in order to tackle issues such as transport.
He said:
“I support green transport and more rail-links. North Yorkshire’s bid for £116 million to fund bus improvements has been denied by Westminster. We’ll keep getting nothing until Yorkshire has proper, powerful devolution through a regional parliament.
“We have the same population as Scotland, an economy 50% larger than Wales, yet the rights and funding of neither.
“Local agriculture needs support during these difficult times but, like so many of Yorkshire’s past industries, Westminster does nothing to help.”
Read more:
- How the Harrogate district’s wards will change ahead of local election
- Full list of election candidates in Harrogate district revealed