Harrogate district covid rate hits six-month low

The Harrogate district’s seven-day covid rate of infection has fallen to its lowest level in more than half a year.

The average now stands at 27 infections per 100,000 people – the lowest it has been since September 18.

Meanwhile, the North Yorkshire rate is 40 and the England average is 53.

Just three covid cases have been reported in the district today, according to Public Health England figures.

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It takes the total number of infections since last March to 7,581.

No further deaths from patients who tested positive for covid have been reported at Harrogate District Hospital.

Five covid patients are currently being treated at the Harrogate hospital.

It comes as senior health officials said today that North Yorkshire’s vaccination programme will focus on increasing the uptake in the first nine priority groups.

Amanda Bloor, accountable officer for NHS North Yorkshire CCG, said the health service wanted to “maximise the uptake” and target the 47,000 who have yet to be vaccinated.

North Yorkshire to focus on 47,000 over-50s yet to be vaccinated

North Yorkshire’s vaccine drive is to focus on the over-50s and vulnerable people yet to come forward for a vaccine rather than moving on to the under-50s.

Amanda Bloor, chief accountable officer for NHS North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group, told a press briefing today the county’s take-up of the vaccine in the first nine cohorts was 88.5%.

However, she said there was still 11.5% – about 47,000 people – who had yet to come forward.

Ms Bloor said those people have either been invited to book an appointment but chose not to or their invitation was on its way.

She said health bosses wanted to get the “maximum coverage possible” before the rollout moves onto the under-50s.

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Addressing North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum, Ms Bloor said:

“I just want to stress the point that we encourage everyone who is invited to come for a vaccination to take up that offer to protect not just themselves, but also their wider communities, their families and their loved ones.

“I can’t stress enough that anyone who has had an invitation for a vaccination and chose at that time not to come forward can now come forward and get that vaccination.”

Ms Bloor said the CCG wanted to “maximise the uptake” of the vaccine in those nine cohorts. Anyone yet to have a jab in those groups can contact their GP or use the national booking system.

As part of the focus, the CCG will review take-up in care home staff as well as encouraging those in Eastern European, homeless and travelling communities to receive the vaccine.

Yesterday, Sue Peckitt, chief nursing officer at North Yorkshire CCG, said that some GPs would offer spare vaccines to under-50s.

But no indication has yet been given on when vaccines will be fully rolled out to under-50s.

Ms Bloor said the government had assured the CCG there would be enough supply to vaccinate those aged 18 to 49 by the end of July.

So far, the county has vaccinated 410,000 people with a first dose and 48,000 have had a second dose.

In the Harrogate district, latest figures show 82,118 people have received a first vaccine – more than half the district’s population.

Exclusive: Major changes expected for Great Yorkshire Show

The Great Yorkshire Show looks set to be extended to four days this year, as part of major changes in the wake of covid.

The Stray Ferret understands the show will also see the number of daily visitors restricted to between 20,000 and 25,000 — well below the usual 44,000 average.

It is understood livestock classes will be reduced, just one event hall will be open and all tickets will need to be bought in advance for track and trace purposes.

Facemasks will also have to be worn inside marquees.

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The show is now set to take place at Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Showground from July 13 to 16, with the addition of a Friday to the usual Tuesday to Thursday schedule.

The event will operate reduced hours from 8am and 5pm each day.

The Yorkshire Agricultural Society, which organises the event, is expected to make an announcement on the changes tomorrow.

Some other major outdoor shows in the district have cancelled due to concerns over social distancing.

Last week, Ripley Show announced it will not go ahead.

Organisers said despite the roadmap out of lockdown and vaccination numbers offering a positive outlook the “proposed conditions are near impossible to comply with on the show ground”.

Masham Steam Engine and Fair Organ Rally, which was due to take place on July 17 and 18, has also been cancelled.

The YAS has previously said it was hopeful the Great Yorkshire Show will go ahead despite other events cancelling.

First covid death at Harrogate hospital in 13 days

Harrogate District Hospital has reported its first covid death in 13 days.

According to NHS England figures, the hospital reported the death of a patient who tested positive for coronavirus yesterday.

It is the first reported at the hospital since March 16.

The number takes the hospital covid death toll to 178.

Meanwhile, just two covid cases have been recorded in the Harrogate district today.

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According to latest Public Health England figures, it takes the total number of infection since last March to 7,578.

The district’s seven-day covid rate of infection stands at 34 cases per 100,000 people.

Elsewhere, the North Yorkshire average is 44 and the England rate is 54.

Harrogate set to make football history on Monday

The first female referee to take charge of an English Football League match will officiate at Harrogate Town on Easter Monday.

Rebecca Welch, from Warrington, has been appointed to referee Town’s game against Port Vale.

She has so far refereed in the Women’s Super League and men’s games in the National League.

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But the game at the EnviroVent Stadium on Wetherby Road will be a landmark occasion, which Welch hopes will encourage other women to take up the whistle.

She said:

“Initially I wasn’t really aware of being appointed as the first female referee.

“I was just given the appointment and I was over the moon but when you kind of reflect on it you think you’re the first woman ever to do this, so I’m extremely proud and my family’s extremely proud as well.

“I do think it’s important to show that women who are in the top 1% of their category can proceed to the next level so it definitely makes others down the pyramid look up and know that they can achieve the same.

“It shows that there is a real opportunity to young girls who are wondering if they are able take the whistle, or are if they are already a referee they can aspire to be an EFL referee or like Sian Massey-Ellis, who is currently operating in the Premier League.”

In February 2010, Amy Fearn took charge of the last 20 minutes of Coventry City’s match against Nottingham Forest as an injury replacement.

However, Welch will become the first female referee to be officially appointed to an EFL fixture.

Three covid cases reported in Harrogate district

Just three cases of covid have been reported in the Harrogate district, according to the latest figures from Public Health England.

It takes the total number of infections since last March to 7,576.

This is among the lowest daily case numbers reported since September 12, when two were reported.

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Meanwhile, the district hospital has gone 12 days without a death from a patient who tested positive for covid.

The last death reported at the hospital was March 16, according to the latest NHS England statistics.

It is the longest period without a coronavirus fatality since the 14 days from December 11 to December 25.

Harrogate district outdoor sports clubs welcome easing of restrictions

Outdoor sports in Harrogate are gearing up for a return today as the government eases lockdown restrictions.

As part of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s “roadmap” out of lockdown, people can now meet up with six other people outside and play organised sport.

Sports facilities such as tennis and basketball courts, and open-air swimming pools, are allowed to reopen.

It comes as the “stay at home” rule in place for most of the national lockdown has also been lifted.

However, North Yorkshire Police has urged people to minimise travel and said the county should expect an “increased police presence” in the coming weeks.

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Among the sports that will be permitted as of today are cricket, football and rugby.

Steve Clark (left), chairman of Harrogate Cricket Club.

Steve Clark (left), chairman of Harrogate Cricket Club.

Steve Clark, chair of Harrogate Cricket Club, said the move was “good news” for the club ahead of the season starting in April.

He said:

“This is really good news for us.

“We can start to play cricket, but we are waiting for guidance from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

“There is a pent up demand for mums and dads to come down and watch some cricket.”

The season is expected to start on April 16 for juniors.

However, the club is still awaiting guidance on how they can hold coaching sessions and whether games need to be stopped to sanitise the ball every six overs.

Police urge people to minimise travel

Police and public health officials have urged people to minimise travel and work from home where they can, despite restrictions being lifted.

Ahead of the Easter weekend, officers have also said there will be an increased police presence across the county.

Superintendent Mike Walker, North Yorkshire Police lead for the force’s covid response, said: 

“We will continue to play our part in tackling the public health crisis through the Easter holidays and beyond.

“Each district has patrol plans in place to ensure there are sufficient resources to provide reassurance and continue our ‘4 Es’ approach – to engage with the public, explain the regulations, encourage compliance, and enforce if there is no other way of dealing with breaches.

“The patrol plans will reflect any changes in legislation post March 29 as part of the government’s roadmap out of lockdown. We will be able to communicate these changes and our approach once the new health protection regulations have been confirmed.

“When it is safe to do so, we will welcome visitors to the county again. However, everyone can expect to see an increased policing presence as we work alongside our partners to help keep the virus at bay in the weeks and months ahead.”

Twelve more cases of covid confirmed in Harrogate district

Twelve more cases of covid have been confirmed in the Harrogate district, according to Public Health England figures.

It takes the total number of cases since last March to 7,575.

Meanwhile, the seven-day covid rate for the district stands at 48 per 100,000 people.

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The North Yorkshire rate is 46 and the England average stands at 57.

No further deaths from patients who tested positive for covid have been recorded at Harrogate District Hospital.

The last death reported at the hospital was on March 16.

‘Mistake’ to return to in-person meetings, says council leader

The leader of Harrogate Borough Council says it is a “mistake” that council meetings must return in-person before all coronavirus restrictions are lifted.

Cllr Richard Cooper, the Conservative leader of the authority, said local authorities should be given a choice whether to hold meetings remotely or in-person.

It comes as the government yesterday announced that emergency legislation, which has allowed virtual decision-making during the pandemic, will end on May 7.

Cllr Cooper said:

“I think it is a mistake not to carry on with remote meetings until we are at least fully out of covid restrictions.

“Ideally I would like to see the provision remain in place to enable councils to have the choice to meet remotely or in person. This will allow us to ensure that we are entirely covid safe but also to choose to hold, in particular, short or small meetings in a way which reduces our impact on the environment.

“I am hopeful that a way will be found to make this happen.”

The Local Government Association, a body which represents local authorities across the UK, said the decision was “extremely disappointing”.

Since last May, all borough council meetings have been held over Microsoft Teams and streamed live onto YouTube.

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In a letter to councils, Luke Hall, minister for regional growth and local government, said while he recognised there may be some safety concerns, the vaccine rollout and fewer covid cases “should result in significant reduction in risk for local authority members meeting in-person”.

He added the government would hold talks with leaders over how remote meetings could be made permanent, as he also urged councils to continue providing remote access for members of the public through live-streaming.

Mr Hall said:

“I am aware that some authorities, though by no means all, have made calls for the government to make express provision for remote meetings beyond the scope of the pandemic.

“I am today launching a call for evidence on the use of current arrangements and to gather views on the question of whether there should be permanent arrangements and if so, for which meetings.”

The announcement comes after Harrogate councillors last week agreed to look into how remote and in-person meetings could be streamed online in the future.

Council meetings have been held over Microsoft Teams and streamed onto YouTube throughout the pandemic.

Council meetings have been held over Microsoft Teams and streamed onto YouTube throughout the pandemic.

In January last year and before the pandemic struck, councillors voted against an idea of live-streaming because of claims it would have been too expensive.

But Cllr Chris Aldred said covid has now shown there is a “clear interest” in people being able to watch meetings online rather than in person.

He told a meeting of the council’s general purposes committee:

“People are clearly interested in the deliberations of their local council and we ought to continue to give them the opportunity.”

Cllr Pauline McHardy also said:

“We shouldn’t exclude members of the public that do want to listen into meetings but are too far away or perhaps don’t drive.

“These are supposed to be public meetings and we should be open, transparent and always above board.”

In his letter to councils, Mr Hall said any local authorities concerned about holding physical meetings should consider resuming these after May 17 when large indoor events of up to 1,000 people or 50% capacity are due to be allowed.

Harrogate council to award £2.4m carbon contracts without open tender

Harrogate Borough Council is set to award two decarbonisation contracts worth £2.4 million to companies outside the district and without open tender.

The projects aim to cut carbon emissions at the Harrogate Hydro leisure centre and Harrogate Convention Centre.

Funding for the schemes was secured from the government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.

Reports to senior councillors recommend awarding the contracts to Alliance Leisure, based in Somerset, and Engie Regeneration Ltd, which has registered offices in Newcastle.

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Projects to cut carbon emissions

Harrogate Hydro, which opened in 1999, will replace its gas boilers with air source heat pumps, install solar panels on the roof and put in place new energy monitoring and control system.

The £1.8 million contract for the works is recommended by council officers to be handed to Alliance Leisure, which was also hired as development managers for the council’s wider £26 million leisure investment.

A council report said the appointment was made in line with the UK Leisure Framework, which is a framework developed in accordance with EU procurement regulations that enables public sector organisations to directly appoint Alliance Leisure for leisure centre projects.

The report says the direct appointment of the company is “fully compliant” with procurement rules and provides “a faster and more efficient procurement route”.

Meanwhile, the HCC received £583,914 to convert its lighting to LEDs, install solar panels and heat pumps and introduce variable speed drives to control the fans and pipework insulation.

Engie Regeneration Ltd, which is part of Engie Group and specialises in refurbishment of public buildings, is set to be awarded the contract for the works.

A £500,000 project is planned to decarbonise Harrogate Convention Centre.

A £500,000 project is planned to decarbonise Harrogate Convention Centre.

Council officers said in a report that Engie had already gone through a competitive tender process within the procurement framework it has used.

It added that the direct award would mean the council could deliver the scheme “within the tight timescales set out in the grant conditions”.

Both schemes form part of the borough council’s goal to reach a net-zero carbon economy by 2038.

The authority hopes the improvements will cut emissions by 577 tonnes a year at the Hydro and 70 tonnes at the convention centre.

No open tender process

The contracts are to be the latest to be awarded without an open competitive tender process.

The council has been criticised previously for not working with local firms, including when it appointed Ipswich firm Jacob Bailey last year to redevelop its tourism website Visit Harrogate without a competitive tender process.

Other contracts awarded without tender include:

In cabinet papers due before councillors next week, council officers said a full tendering process could take up to six months.

It added that the grant conditions for the decarbonisation projects state that the programmes must be completed by September 2021.

The report said:

“To run a full open tendering procurement process would not allow us to meet the tight grant condition timescales, and the council could potentially lose the funding and or be obliged to repay the grant funding in part or in full.”

Senior councillors on the council’s cabinet will make a decision on the contracts on March 31.