Harrogate council ends recruitment freeze but hiring staff now a ‘real challenge’

Harrogate Borough Council has ended a recruitment freeze more than a year after it was introduced to keep costs down during the covid pandemic.

After halting hiring in May 2020, the council has now begun recruiting again for vacant roles including lifeguards and receptionists as the freeze is “no longer sustainable”.

However, some non-critical posts will still be kept on hold as services continue to make a gradual return from lockdown.

Cllr Graham Swift, deputy leader and cabinet member for resources, enterprise and economic development, said it is “encouraging” that recruitment is now underway but he admitted it will be challenging due to local government reforms which will mean the council is abolished by April 2023.

Speaking at a meeting on Wednesday, he said: 

“Throughout coronavirus the council has made enormous sacrifices in taking salary and recruitment freezes, leaving significant shortfalls in key roles.

“I’m very encouraged now that as we come out of coronavirus we will start to see more services restoring to normal levels.

“We have a number of vacancies, some of them senior positions and critical, and as we go out to advertise we need to be sensitive to the fact that local government reform will put pressure on filling those.”

Under the reforms, North Yorkshire’s district councils and the county council will be scrapped to make way for a new unitary authority which will take over control of all council services.

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There are questions over what the major changes will mean for the 10,000 local government staff across North Yorkshire but until then recruitment will remain a challenge as councils try to fill posts which could soon cease to exist.

As well as the recruitment freeze, the borough council also shrunk its workforce by around 60 jobs and redeployed staff into under-pressure services as part of its Covid response.

Leisure centres were particularly affected by this with staff numbers at one stage being a third down earlier during the pandemic and services yet to make a full return due to ongoing staffing shortages.

Cllr Stanley Lumley, cabinet member for culture, tourism and sport, said recruitment was now a “real challenge” with leisure centres currently having around 27 vacancies as a result of the recruitment problems which span across the country.

He said:

“We have struggled at times to open all our venues at the same time but as we increase the number of staff we will get back to normal services as soon as we can.

“It is something which we are working extremely hard to address and we are looking at recruiting from all avenues.”

At Wednesday’s meeting, council leader Richard Cooper also repeated warnings that services including leisure centres and bin collections could face disruptions due to staff self-isolating as covid cases remain high across the district.

He said: 

“A few weeks ago we notified the public that like lots of other local and national companies we are having recruitment issues with the so-called pingdemic.

“That warning we gave still stands because we are not out of the woods yet.”

Beech Grove closure: County council receives 600-signature petition

North Yorkshire County Council officials are to investigate a low traffic neighbourhood scheme on Beech Grove after a 600-signature petition was handed in to the authority.

Residents have raised concern that the closure to through traffic on the road and Lancaster Road is inconvenient, pushes traffic elsewhere and that very little notice was given over the decision.

A consultation on the scheme closed this past weekend, but it will remain in place as a trial until August 2022.

However, the county council is now set to investigate and debate the matter after 655 people signed a petition calling for the scheme to be scrapped.

In response, the county council said:

“The matter has been referred to the council’s highways service for investigation. They will contact the petitioner directly. 

“As over 500 signatures have been received, the petitioner is also able under the council petition scheme to attend a meeting of the Harrogate and Knaresborough Area Constituency Committee and have the matter debated.”

Anna McIntee, a Harrogate resident and co-founder of the Harrogate Residents’ Association, launched the petition after she believed the scheme only pushed traffic elsewhere in the town.

She told the Stray Ferret:

“The changes to Beech Grove and Lancaster Road affect the day to day lives of so many residents and locals, who use this road and surrounding the area. Many people rely on their cars.

“We need to see the data that cycling has increased since the trial LTN introduction in February of this year.

“Grant Shapps said himself ‘’I’ve set out tough new conditions to ensure these schemes are properly consulted on and that evidence of this is shown before schemes are rolled out. Plus monitoring reports are submitted after the schemes open to clearly show how they have been modified based on local feedback.’’.

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However, Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive county councillor for access, said previously that the scheme had been successful in freeing up road space for up for cyclists and pedestrians.

He added that there was a “good chance” of the low traffic neighbourhood becoming permanent.

Cllr Mackenzie said:

“Its been successful. There’s been views in both directions but most residents have accepted it as a positive.

“I see it continuing after 18 months. It’s a part of town where we are making changes to sustainable travel. I can see the Low Traffic Neighbourhood remaining in place formally.”

Jeff Stelling to march from Harrogate Town in aid of prostate cancer

Well-known Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling is set to march from Harrogate to Leeds in aid of Prostate Cancer UK this month.

Jeff, who is known for anchoring Sky’s Soccer Saturday coverage, has raised more than £1 million for the men’s health charity and has taken part in four marches since 2016.

This year, he is set to walk from Harrogate Town’s EnvioVent Stadium to Elland Road in Leeds via Kirk Deighton Rangers and Leeds Rhinos.

The stop at Kirk Deighton will be poignant as the club was home to Yorkshireman Lloyd Pinder, who sadly died of the disease last year after striking up a firm friendship with Stelling.

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The walk, which is taking place on August 31, will be one of four walking marathons he takes part in.

Jeff said:

“Covid has had a horrific impact on lives across the UK, but prostate cancer has not gone away. In fact it’s now more important than ever that we support men and their loved ones.

“One in eight men in the UK will get prostate cancer in their lifetime. I deal in stats, but that one still shocks me. This is our dads, partners, brothers, grandads, uncles and friends.

“That’s why I wear the Prostate Cancer UK ‘Man of Men’ badge. That’s why we’ve marched across the UK three times, helping raise more than £1 million for crucial research to beat prostate cancer.”

Jeff has invited 400 football fans to take part in his walking marathons, including the walk to Elland Road, to raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK.

For more information on how to sign up, visit prostatecanceruk.org/jeffsmarch.

Police investigate spate of violence and anti-social behaviour in Ripon

Police investigating a spate of anti-social behaviour offences in Ripon have called on the public to help them bring the perpetrators to justice.

North Yorkshire Police said a “small group of people” were causing issues in the city and that violence and anti-social behaviour “will not be tolerated”.

The plea comes after officers arrested a fifth man in connection with a knifepoint robbery outside the Ship Inn, Bondgate, in the city.

The force said today that it had stepped up patrols in the city after launching investigations into four separate incidents.

The offences include:

Officers have called on anyone with any information or CCTV footage from those areas to come forward to help their investigations.

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Inspector Alex Langley, North Yorkshire Police, said: 

“Violence and anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated in Ripon and we are doing all we can to bring those responsible for the events over the past week to justice.

“We have stepped up patrols in the area but we also need your help. We would like to hear from anyone who has CCTV covering Bondgate, Southgate, Mawson Lane and surrounding areas – this could be from a traditional CCTV camera, a video doorbell or dash-cam footage.

“A number of arrests have been made already and I hope this goes someway to reassure the public.

“I would like to thank those who have provided information already and continue to urge people to report any acts of anti-social behaviour or other crimes to police.”

Detective superintendent Steve Thomas, said: 

“Following the success of local policing operations to reduce anti-social behaviour in Ripon over recent months these latest incidents are disappointing.

“We are determined that this small group of individuals are held to account for behaviour that harms the quality of life for everyone else. Local residents will see an increase in police presence over the coming days and we want to reassure you that we will do everything necessary to tackle this isolated problem.”

Ninety-nine covid infections reported in Harrogate district

The Harrogate district has reported 99 covid infections, according to latest Public Health England figures.

Meanwhile, Harrogate District Hospital is currently treating nine patients for covid.

Health officials in North Yorkshire said earlier this week that a “sharp rise” in the number of patients being treated for covid has been reported at the county’s hospitals.

Yesterday, Harrogate hospital recorded its first covid death in four months.

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It means the death toll at the hospital from covid since March 2020 stands at 180.

The district’s weekly rate has increased to 314 per 100,000 people.

The North Yorkshire rate stands at 292 and the England average is 315.

North Yorkshire to rehome eight Afghan families

Eight Afghan families are to be rehomed in North Yorkshire as part of a government resettlement scheme.

Earlier this year, ministers said thousands of Afghans who worked for the British army, mostly interpreters, will be offered resettlement in the UK as the armed forces withdraw from the country.

The move comes as the withdrawal of Britain and United States has been criticised after Taliban forces rapidly took control of Afghanistan this past week.

Now, county council officials said North Yorkshire will open its doors to those fleeing the country from persecution.

Neil Irving, assistant director for policy, partnerships and communities at North Yorkshire County Council, said: 

“Following the announcement that NATO military forces would withdraw from Afghanistan, the UK government saw a need to accelerate relocations under the scheme.

“So far the councils in North Yorkshirehave agreed to resettle about eight families. The people we are welcoming to North Yorkshire have shown great courage in supporting British troops in the face of high personal risk. With the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, they now face increased threats to their lives, so it is right for us to honour their service by offering them our protection.

“Thanks to thorough preparation by the organisations involved, we are confident that their settlement and integration will be safe and as smooth as possible.”

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Nationally, more than 3,000 Afghans are expected to be allowed to settle in the UK, joining 1,300 who have already done so.

In June, senior Harrogate borough councillors agreed to offer resettlement to 19 Afghans, which amounts to four families, under the same scheme.

The Harrogate district has previously taken part in other resettlement programmes, including welcoming 13 Syrian families between 2016 and 2017.

Cllr Mike Chambers, cabinet member for housing and safer communities at the council, said the families are not only offered a place to live, but also given opportunities to go to school, learn English and find employment.

He added that the authority would be prepared to resettle more families if it was required to do so.

Meanwhile, the government has also committed to resettling 20,000 Afghan refugees in the UK after thousands have tried to flee the country.

First covid death in four months at Harrogate hospital

Harrogate District Hospital has recorded its first death from a patient who tested positive for covid in four months.

According to NHS England figures, the death was reported on August 16.

The last time a covid death was reported at the hospital was on April 11.

It comes as health managers reported a “sharp increase” in covid patients in North Yorkshire hospitals, with Harrogate treating nine – an increase from seven last week.

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The death toll at Harrogate hospital since March 2020 now stands at 180.

Meanwhile, 77 covid infections have been reported in the Harrogate district, according to latest Public Health England figures.

The district’s weekly rate has increased slightly to 299 per 100,000 people.

The North Yorkshire rate stands at 274 and the England average is 310.

Elsewhere, 123,688 people have received a first covid vaccine in the Harrogate district and 109,423 have had a second dose.

Nidderdale Greenway extension plans set to take step forward

Ambitious plans to extend the Nidderdale Greenway are set to take a significant step forward with the formation of a steering group to oversee the project.

The four-mile cycling and walking route from Harrogate to Ripley is one of the most popular of its kind in the region and is used by an estimated 200,000 people every year.

It opened in 2013, but even before then there has always been long-held hopes of extending the path by up to 23 miles through the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to Scar House Reservoir.

Now, council officials, campaigners and residents are set to come together to form a steering group which will oversee the next stages of the project, including route planning and further talks with landowners.

Campaigner Malcolm Margolis, who is spearheading the project, said:

“It is great news and a really significant step that the steering group is about to be formed – this will really take the project forward in a positive direction.

“We want to get the steering group formed as soon as possible and get working together in autumn.

“We hope to bring together representatives of local parish councils, as well as Harrogate and North Yorkshire councils, and other interested parties who share our vision of a sustainable route through Nidderdale which will be accessible by bike or foot for people of all ages.”

The Nidderdale Greenway is part of the Sustrans cycling and walking network which covers 16,500 miles across the UK.

Sustrans, a national charity which lobbies for and helps build infrastructure, produced a feasibility study for the Nidderdale Greenway extension plans before the pandemic struck.

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The preliminary works involved talks with more than 50 landowners along the proposed route which aims to follow disused railway lines or existing rights of way where possible.

Senior officials at North Yorkshire County Council will meet on Friday to agree to their involvement in the next stages of the project. 

They have signalled their strong support for the extension, although questions have been raised over an estimated costs figure of £6.6 million which a report described as “light”.

Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive member for access at the county council, also said: 

“Experience teaches me that it is very easy to be optimistic about costs when it comes to things like this, but when you get down to actually looking at the detailed designs, costs can often escalate very quickly.”

He added: 

“I was excited when the Nidderdale Greenway was first created and if we can extend it right along to Pateley Bridge, then so much the better. It would represent a major extension of our cycling network which is to be welcomed.”

Mr Margolis said he hoped the route would be “substantially built” within the next five years and be funded by government grants and fundraising.

However, he added it was “far too early” to be focusing on the costs of the project.

He said:

“We haven’t even finalised the route yet. Costs are obviously an extremely important factor, but not at this stage.

“The extension will be a big task and one that is more difficult than it should be – what it needs above all is political support.”

Police arrest fifth man in connection with Ripon knifepoint robbery

Police have arrested a fifth man after a teenager was threatened with a knife and robbed outside a pub in Ripon.

North Yorkshire Police said in a statement yesterday that the incident happened outside the Ship Inn on Bondgate at 6.45pm on Friday (August 13).

Police arrested four men after a teenage boy had personal possessions stolen, including a watch and an item of jewellery, after he was threatened at knifepoint. No injuries were reported.

Now, officers have said a fifth man in his 20s has been arrested in connection with the incident.

A police statement said yesterday:

“Police responded and launched an immediate investigation, which resulted in four males, aged 14 to 20, being arrested in connection with the incident.

“They have been released on bail pending further investigation.

“Officers made enquiries in the surrounding area but are urging people to come forward if they have information which they have not yet shared.

“Please call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 1 and quote reference 12210180615.”

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Man arrested after car found with shredded tyres in Kirk Hammerton

Police have arrested a man on suspicion of drug and driving offences after a car was found with shredded tyres in Kirk Hammerton.

Officers found the Land Rover on the A59 in the village in the early hours of this morning.

A man in his 30s from Northumbria was arrested on suspicion of drink driving, drug driving, possession of a class-A drug, dangerous driving and driving without insurance.

He was taken into custody and bailed pending further enquiries, including drug test results.

North Yorkshire Police added in a statement:

“Police are urging anyone who suspects someone of drink or drug driving to contact the force by calling 101 and selecting option 1, or phoning 999 if it’s happening immediately.”

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