Harrogate council to recommend creation of town council

Harrogate Borough Council looks set to recommend that a town council is set up after the authority is abolished.

Senior councillors will discuss plans to write to the unitary authority, which is set to replace the council, to ask to consider the proposal as part of a review of governance in the town.

The borough council is set to be scrapped in April 2023 to make way for a single county-wide authority as North Yorkshire’s two-tier system is abolished.

However, along with Scarborough, Harrogate has no town council and will be left with no lower-tier authority.

Following a motion passed in July, the borough council looks set to write to unitary bosses recommending that a governance review is carried out to form a town council.

The motion said:

“That this council strongly recommends to any successor unitary authority in North Yorkshire that a Community Governance Review for the town of Harrogate is initiated and the creation of a Parish for the town is considered.”

In July, Cllr Richard Cooper, leader of Harrogate Borough Council, said the creation of such an authority was “inevitable”.

He told a full council meeting that he had previously offered assurances that a Harrogate Town Council would most likely be created and that a review of services would be carried at “the correct time, in the correct way and by the correct people”.

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However, Cllr Pat Marsh, leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition, proposed the motion in order to ensure that the town would not be “woefully underrepresented”.

Council officials will recommend to senior councillors on Wednesday that the council writes to the unitary authority in accordance with the agreed motion.

What would a town council do?

Town and parish councils run services such as community centres and play areas, as well as maintaining bus shelters. Councillors are elected to serve on them.

The councils can also charge a precept as part of council tax bills to fund the services provided.

Under its plans for a new county-wide council, North Yorkshire County Council promised further powers for towns and parishes in a move it describes as ‘double devolution’.

It would see the councils able to run services and take on additional responsibilities.

96 daily covid cases reported in Harrogate district

The Harrogate district has reported 96 daily covid cases according to Public Health England figures.

The district’s seven-day average now stands at 601 per 100,000 people.

Across North Yorkshire, the rate is 505 and the England average is 400.

NHS England figures on the number of patients who have died in hospital after testing positive for coronavirus are no longer published on a weekend.

However, the hospital was treating 25 covid patients as of Monday — a rise from 19 on last week.

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Why Harrogate district’s food banks are getting busier as winter approaches

Crowned as one of the richest places in Yorkshire, Harrogate is famous for its spa scene, beautiful gardens and busy shopping streets.

It’s not where you would expect to find families struggling to afford food, but the project manager of Harrogate District Foodbank says people are often “shocked” to see how many are in need of help.

Dawn Pearson, who started in her role during the pandemic, said the food bank has fed around 16,000 people since opening eight years ago – equivalent to around 10% of the district’s population.

And she said demand is only rising due to the climbing cost of living and people’s financial worries – with 120 struggling individuals coming forward for help in a single week in October.

This included a healthcare worker recently out of employment and Mrs Pearson said perceptions of food banks can often create false stereotypes of those who rely on them.

She said:

“These are just ordinary folk who can’t make ends meet.

“We had one family in recently – the mum was a healthcare worker and just felt weighed down and because of that she had some anxiety and mental health issues.

“She is just a normal mum and didn’t know where to turn.

“There are a lot of people out there like this at the moment and I don’t know how it is ever going to get any better.”

Busiest time of year

After a busy period earlier in the pandemic, the food bank at Mowbray Community Church is now preparing for winter which Mrs Pearson said is “always a busy time”.

Rising gas, food and fuel prices, and the end of the £20 uplift in Universal Credit are just some of the reasons why she said a growing number of people are asking for emergency food help.

Dawn Pearson, project manager at Harrogate District Foodbank.

Dawn Pearson, project manager at Harrogate District Foodbank.

Mr Pearson said:

“Now that we are leading up to Christmas, people are also struggling because they have more expensive bills and are trying to buy presents for their families.

“Winter is always a busy time, but we have got a big surplus of food so we are well prepared.

“It always astounds us how many donations come in during this period. We can’t thank people enough.”

As much as the generosity of donors always shines through, the growing need for food banks has become an uncomfortable underbelly of society which many people would rather shy away from.

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But the scale of the problem can be seen in the flesh with the recent opening of a new food bank at Life Destiny Church in Starbeck which became the third centre in the district seeded by the Trussell Trust.

It opened earlier in the pandemic when the usual voucher system of distributing food was removed in response to increased demand.

Mrs Pearson said: 

“The Starbeck site is doing well. It shouldn’t do well, but it is definitely needed there.

“Usually it is three vouchers in a six month period for people, but during the pandemic we didn’t turn anybody away. People were allowed to just come in and we helped everybody.

“Because there was more need, we were so lucky that our donations increased as well.

“We are really blessed by everyone who donates to us.”

A need for food banks “for the foreseeable future”

The Trussell Trust supports more than 1,200 centres across the UK and has a vision of a world where no food banks are needed.

It says it takes much more than food to end hunger and that a fairer and more generous welfare system would be a start of the solution.

But the answer to exactly how this could be achieved is complex and one which Mrs Pearson says lies in the hands of politicians.

She said:

“I don’t know the answer as I’m not a politician. But what I do know is that for the foreseeable future there is going to be a need for food banks.”

For information on how to get support or donate go to the Harrogate District Foodbank website.

Police investigate Wetherby Road building site theft

Police are appealing for information after a theft from a building site on Wetherby Road in Harrogate.

Officers said various plant machinery and equipment were stolen from a new build site between 7pm and 7am on Thursday, October 28, into Friday, October 29.

The force said the theft may have involved a large vehicle, which would have entered the site but still been partially parked onto Wetherby Road.

A North Yorkshire Police statement said:

“Officers are requesting the public’s assistance to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the theft.

“If you travelled on Wetherby Road between the Hookstone traffic lights and the Empress roundabout that evening, and remember seeing anything or have dashcam footage of that route, please make contact.

“If you can help, please contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Beth Crawford-Evans. You can also email bethany.crawford-evans@northyorkshire.police.uk.

“If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12210231021.”

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Acting police commissioner confirmed after Philip Allott resignation

Jennifer Newberry has been appointed acting North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner after the resignation of Philip Allott.

Ms Newberry, who is a staff member in the commissioner’s office, will take temporary charge for just three weeks ahead of an election to appoint a successor.

The move follows Mr Allott’s resignation last month over comments in the wake of the murder of Sarah Everard.

Councillors on the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel voted unanimously to approve Ms Newberry taking temporary charge yesterday.

Ms Newberry told the panel:

“I’m really proud to have my name put forward to be acting commissioner in this interim period.

“I am committed to working collegiately with the executive management team during this period.”

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Simon Dennis, chief executive of the Office of the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, said:

“Jenni is a public servant of the highest calibre with a background in making a positive difference to the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.

“She deservedly has the support of the panel to serve as acting commissioner, a role which must be filled from within the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner. The whole team will support her to succeed, and I thank her for her dedication, commitment and integrity in putting herself forward.”

A successor to Mr Allott will be elected on November 25 when voters head to the polls.

Candidates for the election have been confirmed with the Conservatives, Labour, Liberal Democrats, Women’s Equality Party and an Independent all standing. 

Voters have until November 9 to register to vote. Further details about voting are here.

The full list of candidates is:

Harrogate Spring Water ends sponsorship with Yorkshire County Cricket

Harrogate Spring Water has ended its sponsorship with Yorkshire County Cricket Club.

The company follows Yorkshire Tea, which is also based in Harrogate, in cutting ties with the club.

Yorkshire, which has many members and supporters in the district, has been fiercely criticised for saying it didn’t plan to take any disciplinary action against individuals following an investigation into the allegations by former player Azeem Rafiq.

Now, Harrogate Spring Water, which was among the club’s main commercial partners, has confirmed its sponsorship will end with “immediate affect”.

In a statement, the company said:

“We were deeply concerned at the details that have emerged in recent days surrounding the treatment of Azeem Rafiq at Yorkshire County Cricket Club and the way in which the club’s current leadership have handled the important issues that have been raised.

“As a result, Harrogate Spring Water has taken the decision to end its sponsorship agreement with the club with immediate effect. We will be making no further comment on this matter.”

Harrogate Spring Water first became the official water of the club in 2014.

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Both Harrogate companies follow Emerald Publishing and Anchor butter in ending their association with the club. David Lloyd Clubs said its sponsorship had been “put on hold a few weeks ago” and would not be reinstated.

Mark Ellis, chairman of Masham Cricket Club, told the Stray Ferret this week that the county club’s actions “sent mixed messages” to grassroots cricket and that the club was “extremely disappointed” in Yorkshire’s actions.

Senior Yorkshire officials and Rafiq are due to appear before MPs on the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee later this month.

Harrogate district covid rate rises as 151 cases reported

The Harrogate district’s seven-day covid rate has crept up again as a further 151 cases have been reported by Public Health England.

The district’s average now stands at 578 per 100,000 people.

Across North Yorkshire, the rate is 505 and the England average is 412.

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

However, the hospital was treating 25 covid patients as of Monday — a rise from 19 on last week.

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Controversial Crimple Valley homes plan withdrawn

A controversial plan to build a housing development in Harrogate’s Crimple Valley has been withdrawn.

The proposal submitted by Square Feet Ltd And Antela Developments Ltd would have seen 35 homes built on Almsford Bank Stables on Leeds Road.

The developers had initially planned 65 homes for the site in 2018, but later revised the application and reduced the number of homes.

A total of 107 letters of objection were lodged to Harrogate Borough Council over the proposal.

Now the developers have withdrawn the plans to build on the site.

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The Stray Ferret has contacted Seven Architecture, the agent for the developers, for comment but had not received a response by the time of publication.

It follows a backlash from local residents over concerns that the scheme would damage the Special Landscape Area of the Crimple Valley, which is spanned by the distinctive railway viaduct.

In a letter to the council, Tristan Campbell, of the pressure group Save Crimple Valley, said the development “would demonstrably devalue the integrity of the much-valued Special Landscape Area itself”.

He added:

“It takes out a central strip of the most beautiful part of the Crimple Valley Special Landscape Area, sets a dangerous precedent for future planning applications within the SLA and fails to meet the council’s own current and future Local Plans.”

 

Council insists Ripon pool ‘safe’ to open despite sinkhole fears

Harrogate Borough Council officials have said the new Ripon swimming pool will be safe to open despite news this week that further ground investigations are necessary.

The six-lane pool on Dallamires Lane is due to open on December 8. The adjoining leisure centre is due to partially open on the same date.

The council issued a statement this week saying it planned to carry out “ground remedial works and a thorough investigation programme” of the leisure centre site, which could result in further remedial work and a six-month closure.

It follows the discovery of a void near the leisure centre last year, which prompted an investigation at an estimated cost of £110,000.

The Stray Ferret asked the authority whether it remained confident the pool was safe to open next month despite the need for further work, which will include commissioning a 3D map of underground soil conditions

A spokesperson said the sites were “two separate foundations” and that the swimming pool was safe to use.

Safety concerns

As reported by the Stray Ferret, Ripon-based chartered engineer Stanley Mackintosh has consistently raised concerns with the council about the suitability of building a swimming pool on land with a history of ground instability issues.

Mr Mackintosh told the Stray Ferret that public safety at the site had “to be the overriding consideration” and that he would be writing to senior Harrogate councillors ahead of their decision on further investigative works on Wednesday.

Dr Alan Thompson, a geologist and director of director of Cuesta Consulting in Somerset, has also previously raised safety concerns following an investigation by consultancy firm Stantec into the “cavity” that appeared at the site in September last year.

News of the latest investigation raises questions over whether the ground instability problems can be permanently solved and how much it will cost taxpayers to fund any further remedial works that may be required.

The city’s leisure centre will only be partially open when the new swimming pool comes on stream in five weeks time.

The ground floor is to remain closed, while the first floor gym will open.

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Council officials said in a report that the leisure centre could continue to operate half open while investigations at the site are carried out, possibly in the New Year.

It said:

“In August 2021, an officer decision was made, following advice from the consulting engineers that Ripon Leisure Centre could continue to operate on the reconfigured and refurbished first floor.

“The consulting engineers informed officers that they did not believe that there had been a geological change to the risk profile of the building since the initial void at the right hand side by the entrance was discovered in 2020.”

However, the site will close for six months if further further work is required. The report added that the investigation would not affect the swimming pool.

Void discovered

When asked why the first floor of the leisure site was to remain open instead of closing the entire building during the investigations, a council spokesperson said “the consulting engineers have advised the existing leisure centre can remain open”.

The void is understood to have been beneath the older half of the centre for several years and was discovered near where a sinkhole opened up in 2018. Ripon is notorious for sinkholes.

The initial investigations covered around 15% of the building’s footprint and if approved by senior councillors next week, the remainder will be surveyed.

It is likely this will lead to the need for ground strengthening works, similar to what was done to stabilise the ground beneath the new swimming pool.

During this time, the council said it would look to provide gym facilities at a different venue in the city which is one of the UK’s most sinkhole-prone areas.

North Yorkshire county councillors set for 1.75% rise in allowances

An independent panel has recommended a 1.75% increase in allowances for North Yorkshire county councillors.

The proposed increase would include the basic allowance for councillors and special responsibility allowances, such as the leader of the council.

If approved, it would see the basic allowance increase from £10,142 to £10,316.

John Thompson, chairman of the independent remuneration panel, said: 

“The increase takes into account the more demanding nature of the work done by councillors during the pandemic, the proposed local government pay offer and also the need to ensure that they are adequately and appropriately compensated for their vital contribution to local government.

“It is also important to consider the need to continue to attract the required calibre of candidate from a more diverse range of backgrounds, to stand and serve as a councillor. This is particularly relevant today as there will be county council elections in May 2022.”

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The renumeration panel reviews allowances annually.

County councillors will vote on the increase at a full council meeting on November 17.

Cllr Carl Les, leader of the county council, said: 

“It is important that the level at which allowances are set is not a barrier that would prevent anyone from standing for a council position, regardless of such things as age, personal circumstances and whether they are in work.

“It will be a matter for each councillor to decide, at the full council meeting on November 17, 2021, whether to take all, some or none of the proposed increase in the allowances.”