Bilton Cricket Club cancels fireworks display

Bilton Cricket Club has cancelled its annual fireworks display.

The club issued a statement today saying restrictions imposed on the event “would severely impact our ability to operate the event in the way we want to” and it was therefore left with no choice but to cancel.

The event, which is usually held annually at the club’s ground on Bilton Lane, was due to take place on November 5.

Its Facebook post said:

“Over the last few days the club has been under immense pressure to cover off all demands from all authorities regarding the fireworks display planned for next Friday.

“We believed we had covered all areas but further requests and demands have been made which has lead to some restrictions imposed which would severely impact our ability to operate the event in the way we want to, and have done in the past.

“Therefore the committee has made the hard decision to cancel the fireworks display planned for the evening of Friday 5 November.

“This decision has not been made lightly and obviously we would love to provide this event for members and community.

“I am really very very sorry we are cancelling this but without going into too many facts we really have no other option.”

The news comes as bonfire and firework events elsewhere look set to resume after covid forced them to be cancelled last year.

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Liberal Democrats confirm police commissioner candidate

The Liberal Democrats have announced that a City of York councillor will stand for the party at next month’s North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner election.

James Barker, who stood for the position in May, is set to contest the commissioner role again.

Mr Barker, who served 24 years in the military, has also served as a scout leader and rugby coach.

At the last election, he told the Stray Ferret that he wanted to “explore why” more officers were not on the frontline and pledged to tackle anti-social behaviour in Ripon.

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An election is being held following the resignation of Philip Allott, who stepped down after comments he made on the murder of Sarah Everard led to hundreds of complaints to his office and a vote of no confidence in him.

Voters will head to the polls to elect a new police commissioner on November 25.

The Conservatives have announced Harrogate councillor, Zoe Metcalfe, will stand for the party on polling day.

Meanwhile, Labour have confirmed that 23-year-old student paramedic, Emma Scott-Spivey, will contest the election.

Keith Tordoff, a former businessman in Pateley Bridge, will also be standing as an independent candidate.

Former Pateley Bridge businessman to stand again for police commissioner

Former Pateley Bridge businessman Keith Tordoff has announced he will stand again for North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

Mr Tordoff, who used to own the Oldest Sweet Shop in the World in the town, said he was standing in the November election because he felt the commissioner’s office was in “a state of shambles”.

Mr Tordoff stood for the role in May and received 22,338 votes.

An election is being held following the resignation of Philip Allott, who stepped down after comments he made on the murder of Sarah Everard led to hundreds of complaints to his office and a vote of no confidence in him.

Mr Tordoff, who will stand as an independent candidate, said the commissioner needed to be “somebody who is not affiliated to a political party”.

He said:

“It needs strong leadership and it needs somebody with experience.

“I have got police experience and business experience.”

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When asked how he would tackle violence against women and girls, Mr Tordoff said he had an “understanding of working with victims” as a former police officer.

He said:

“I have a background in the police, I have the understanding.

“My position has the most experience.”

Mr Tordoff said his pledges from May remained in place. They included tackling anti-social behaviour, making police more visible and freeing up officers to go out into the community.

He also reiterated his pledge to donate £20,000 of his commissioner salary to registered charities. The police, fire and crime commissioner is paid £74,400 a year.

Voters will head to the polls to elect a new police commissioner on November 25.

The Conservatives have announced Harrogate councillor, Zoe Metcalfe, will stand for the party on polling day.

Meanwhile, Labour have confirmed that 23-year-old student paramedic, Emma Scott-Spivey, will contest the election.

Public inquiry threat revealed for James Street pedestrianisation plans

The threat of a public inquiry has been revealed as a reason why plans for a full-time pedestrianisation of one of Harrogate’s busiest shopping streets have been dropped from the £10.9 million Station Gateway project.

North Yorkshire County Council received strong support when it consulted on the idea of removing traffic from James Street.

But it now wants to see only Princes Square to Station Parade pedestrianised, with loading vehicles still allowed to use the street at limited times. This partial pedestrianisation was the least supported option.

Karl Battersby, corporate director of business and environmental services at the council, said this option was being pursued because the authority believes it could face objections which would trigger a public inquiry if a full-time pedestrianisation is progressed.

He said: 

“A traffic regulation order is required to pedestrianise a street.

“In certain circumstances, including where vehicles are excluded at all times, if an order is made and objections are raised that cannot be resolved, a public inquiry could result.

“If that were to happen, it could delay the scheme.”

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Mr Battersby also said a full-time pedestrianisation “remains possible” in the future after the completion of the gateway project, which requires government cash to be spent by March 2023.

He added the council’s preferred option of part-time restrictions would still retain many of the changes to the look of James Street that would be included under a full-time pedestrianisation.

He said: 

“The selected option provides the opportunity to pedestrianise the street at most times of the day, except for a period to allow deliveries, with access controlled through rising bollards.

“This creates the ability to pedestrianise the street at any time of day in future subject to the outcome of a legal order.

“We believe this strikes an appropriate balance between the wishes of respondents and risks to delivery of the scheme.”

Contentious plans

The detailed plans were first revealed in February when residents and businesses were also consulted with.

It is only now – eight months on – that the council has spoken of the potential threat of a public inquiry.

This could be in part due to negative feedback from some business owners and residents, however, the council’s own consultation results show a full-time pedestrianisation would be well supported.

Of the 1,101 respondents to the consultation, 45% were in favour of this option, while 32% said no changes should be made to the layout of James Street.

Meanwhile, just 17% supported a part-time pedestrianisation – the option that the council is now pushing ahead with.

Although James Street has proved to be one of the most contentious parts of the gateway project, it is only a small part of the overall plans.

There are also proposals to reduce Station Parade to a single lane of traffic to create room for a cycle lane, as well improvements to Station Square and the One Arch underpass.

The latest consultation on the entire project is currently underway and residents and businesses have until November 12 to have their say before more detailed proposals are drawn up and a final decision is made.

If approved, it is anticipated that construction will start in spring 2022 for approximately 12 months.

For more information and to have your say, visit the West Yorkshire Combined Authority website.

Harrogate council leader confirms he will stand down

The leader of Harrogate Borough Council has announced he will stand down after more than 20 years of service as a councillor.

Cllr Richard Cooper, who was first elected as a Conservative councillor in 1999, said he will not seek election to the North Yorkshire unitary council but will continue in his role until the new authority is created in 2023.

Multiple senior political figures in the Harrogate district told the Stray Ferret earlier this month that the Conservative council leader would not be standing when voters head to the polls in May 2022.

Cllr Cooper has now confirmed the news. He said: 

“I have been a councillor now for 22 years and leader of the council for eight. That’s a long time and it is time for me to do other things and for others to have the opportunity to serve our communities at a senior level.

“Although I am not standing for the new council in May 2022, Harrogate Borough Council continues until April 2023.

“So although I am not standing for that new council it isn’t quite goodbye yet.”

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Cllr Cooper was first elected when he took the Liberal Democrat seat of West Central in 1999 and has since held several cabinet positions, as well as being deputy leader and serving on North Yorkshire County Council.

Council leader since 2014

He was elected as leader of Harrogate Borough Council in 2014 and will be the longest-serving holder of the position if he is re-elected next May.

Among his achievements, Cllr Cooper said he will remember increasing funding for homelessness, defeating the Nidd Gorge relief road proposal, raising the profile of sustainable transport and leading on the construction of the new Harrogate Civic Centre.

Cllr Cooper added: 

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the voters who have elected me to represent them over the past 22 years, my fellow councillors for having trusted me with leadership roles throughout that time and the amazing people in our community groups who I have been privileged to meet and support.

“We are fortunate to have many young and talented councillors in our district alongside those with many years of service. It is a great combination which will serve our district well on the new council.

“I wish them all, of every political persuasion, luck and success as they continue to champion sustainable transport, carbon reduction, support for the homeless and funding for our local voluntary groups among the many other brilliant things Harrogate Borough Council does.”

Racist graffiti sprayed in Harrogate playground

Racist graffiti has been sprayed onto playground equipment in Harrogate.

Two instances of the graffiti were found in a play area in Panhandle Park, just behind Sherwood Drive in Hookstone Chase.

It was reported to North Yorkshire Police between Saturday, October 23, and Tuesday, October 26.

The graffiti has since been removed but required specialist attention to do so by Harrogate Borough Council.

Sergeant Alex Sellars, of Harrogate neighbourhood policing team, said:

“We take hate crime very seriously and it has no place in society. We would urge anyone who knows anything about these incidents to get in touch with us to assist with our investigation.”

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North Yorkshire Police added in a statement:

“Anyone with information is asked to report it on our website or call 101.

“You can also provide information anonymously via independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or through their website.

“Please quote 12210229225 when providing information.”

Council ‘confident’ of resolving Kex Gill reroute objections

Two objections have been lodged against land orders for a £60 million reroute of the A59 at Kex Gill.

North Yorkshire County Council published plans in August to purchase 90 acres of land to build the new route.

A diversion is planned west of Blubberhouses on the A59 at Kex Gill, which has been blighted by a history of landslides and a recent “instability issue” which cost the council £1.4 million.

The council needs to acquire the land before it can begin construction.

County council officials have confirmed to the Stray Ferret that two objections have been submitted against its side road orders. which are designed to buy private land in order to carry out the project.

However, authority bosses say they believe they can resolve the disputes.

Karl Battersby, corporate director, business and environmental services at the county council, said:

“We are in the procurement process and are working through the statutory processes.

“We have received two objections to the side road orders that we are confident we can resolve.

“All statutory processes need to be concluded before we can secure the funding from the Department for Transport and award the contract.”

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Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive member for access at the county council, told the Stray Ferret this month that a “substantial objection” could trigger a public inquiry.

However, he added that he did not “see it as a severe risk” and was confident that the council could avoid an inquiry.

In a statement given to a full council meeting in July, Cllr Mackenzie warned that if a public inquiry was required then work could be delayed by up to 15 months.

Council officials said they wanted to come to an agreement with landowners over the price of land, rather than acquire it by a compulsory purchase order.

Construction of the scheme is expected to take 18 months.

Care staff shortages ‘critical’ ahead of compulsory vaccine deadline

Care staff shortages in North Yorkshire have reached a “critical” stage and are only likely to worsen when compulsory covid vaccines come into force on November 11, a council boss has warned.

Justine Brooksbank, assistant chief executive at North Yorkshire County Council, said 252 workers have yet to receive a first vaccine dose and some staff in the already depleted workforce had now begun the process of leaving.

She said 13 staff have served notice to leave, while three have been redeployed and a further 12 are awaiting clinical exemption.

However, Ms Brooksbank added redeployment into other areas such as health services is “proving difficult” as the government has recently ended a consultation on compulsory vaccines for these workers as well as care staff.

She said: 

“This situation is likely to worsen the already critical staffing shortages across the county’s care sector.

“Adult social care is vitally important to our residents and we are pulling out all the stops to support the sector in every way possible during current challenges.

“We have done everything possible to communicate with all our care staff about the benefits of covid vaccination and to assuage any fears they may have.

“The county council along with other care providers as well as national government are next month launching a robust recruitment campaign in order to address the significant and growing pressures in the care system.”

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Nationwide staff shortages have led to warnings from England’s care watchdog that there will be a “tsunami” of people without the care they need this winter unless action is taken.

The Care Quality Commission said in a recent report that staff are “exhausted and depleted” and that immediate action is needed to address the problem.

On Thursday, the government announced an extra £162.5 million to boost the adult social care workforce.

This is in addition to £5.4 billion earmarked for social care over the next three years from the government’s health and social care levy, which already includes £500 million to be spent on the workforce.

Compulsory vaccines for all health workers?

Meanwhile, the health secretary Sajid Javid said on Monday he was “leaning towards” making covid vaccines compulsory for health workers.

It is estimated around 100,000 NHS staff nationally have yet to get their first jab following the recent consultation into the matter.

At Harrogate hospital, around 350 frontline staff have not been fully vaccinated – representing just under 10% of the 3,598-strong workforce.

Dr Jacqueline Andrews, executive medical director at the Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, previously said staff were being encouraged to take up the vaccine and that managers were speaking with these workers about their concerns.

She said: 

“We have encouraged and supported all our staff to be fully vaccinated against covid to keep themselves, their families, fellow colleagues and patients safe and improve our organisational resilience over what is likely to be a challenging winter.”

Appeal after man robbed at Knaresborough station

Police are appealing for information after a man was robbed at Knaresborough railway station.

The victim had his personal belongings, including his wallet, stolen at around 6.25pm on September 25.

The robbery followed an altercation with a group of people on the platform of the station.

A British Transport Police statement said:

“One man in the group is described as white, in his early twenties, of slim build and wearing a grey tracksuit top and bottoms.

“Officers are keen to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the incident to assist their enquiries.

“Witnesses, or anyone with information, can contact BTP by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 529 of 25/09/21.

“Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

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Harrogate council ‘at constant threat from developers’, say councillors

Harrogate councillors have raised concerns that the authority is at “constant threat from developers” when making planning decisions.

Liberal Democrat councillor Pat Marsh, a member of Harrogate Borough Council’s planning committee, said councillors were “constantly” being told that decisions they make could lead to the council being challenged at appeal.

This year, the council has seen refusals over a Starbucks on Wetherby Road and 72 homes in Spofforth challenged and overturned by the government. It has also had costs awarded against it for “unreasonable behaviour” after those appeals.

At a meeting on Tuesday, Cllr Marsh raised concern that the committee had become a “tick box exercise” and that the authority was at the mercy of developers.

She said:

“We are under constant threat from developers, we can only go with them in case we get hauled over the coals.

“I find that very, very difficult as a member of this committee. To be reminded ‘you made this decision, this is what happened’. Why have a council planning committee? It’s just a tick box exercise and I don’t want to be that.”

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Conservative Cllr Sue Lumby agreed with Cllr Marsh. She said:

“Why on earth are we sitting here if we just agree everything the officers recommend?”

Councillors were debating plans for 36 homes in Goldsborough when they raised concerns.

However council officers said councillors “hands were not tied”, but added that they must “act on the evidence” when deciding to go against officer recommendations.

“If members for whatever reason, having seen the site or know the site, disagree with the conclusion of the officer’s report then they need good evidence to justify coming to a different conclusion.”

Lost planning appeals

This year, the council failed to defend a decision to refuse a controversial plan for a Starbucks on Wetherby Road because officers said it could lead to legal costs of £50,000.

The council turned down the development back in 2019 on air quality and highways grounds, but later withdrew its objection.

The proposal, which was submitted by Euro Garages, was later approved by the government and full costs for the appeal were awarded against the council.

Meanwhile, last week a controversial plan for 72 homes in Spofforth was granted permission by the government despite Harrogate Borough Council refusing the scheme.

Siobhan Watson, a government planning inspector, awarded costs against the authority after finding its reasons for refusal to be “vague and illogical”.

In September, the Local Democracy Reporting Service reported that planning appeals lost by the borough council had cost taxpayers almost a quarter of a million pounds in legal fees since 2012.