County council approves £8m funding for highways company vehicles

Senior county councillors have approved £8 million worth of funding to purchase vehicles on behalf of the authority’s new highways company.

NY Highways Ltd, which was announced by the authority in June, is set to take over the council’s £40 million highways contract next year.

The new company will maintain the county’s roads and the authority said the new arrangement will give them greater flexibility and control, and will also remove “contractual constraints”.

Now, senior county councillors have approved £8 million worth of of additional funding on top of £2 million already set aside to purchase specialist vehicles.

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A report before county councillors said:

“As the project has progressed, further scoping has been undertaken which has resulted in the identification of additional requirements.

“As a result, an additional £8m is requested to allow further orders to be placed on the same basis as the original approval. This will bring the total funding included in the capital plan for the advance purchase of vehicles to £10m.”

The cost is expected to be recharged to NY Highways Ltd once it is in operation, which is expected to be from June 1, 2021.

It comes as Ross Bullerwell has been announced as manager director of NY Highways. The council advertised the post for around £100,000 a year with flexible benefits.

Cllr Don Mackenzie, the executive member for access, welcomed the news of his appointment and said:

“Having our own company gives us greater control and flexibility over our highways service delivery, while removing the contractual constraints that exist with the current arrangements.

“Through more direct accountability for the works on the ground we aim to deliver a ‘right first time’ service with the customer continuing to be at the heart of everything that we do.”

Man cautioned for distributing ‘distressing images’ of Harcourt Drive incident

Police have arrested and cautioned a man in relation to distributing images on social media of an incident on Harcourt Drive near to Harrogate town centre.

One man was taken to hospital for treatment and another was pronounced dead at the incident last Sunday. Multiple police cars, ambulances and an air ambulance were called out to the street at around 7.15pm.

DI Steve Menzies, senior investigating officer at North Yorkshire Police, has since reassured residents that the incident was “tragic and isolated”.

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Now, police have said they have arrested and cautioned a 42-year-old man for distributing “distressing images” of the incident.

In a statement, police said:

“We have been made aware that following the incident on Harcourt Drive in Harrogate on Sunday (August 23) distressing images of the incident were shared through social media.

“We would like to reassure the local community that the distributor of these images, a 42-year-old Harrogate man, has been arrested and cautioned.

“Sharing images of this nature will not be condoned under any circumstances and we would strongly urge anyone who is in possession of the images to delete them immediately.”

How Harrogate Borough Council responded to a complaint around Cllr Mearns and Gmund Cars

When Anthony Place put his complaint into Harrogate Borough Council, it went to the authority’s monitoring officer, Jennifer Norton, who assessed whether it was something the council would investigate further. 

For councils across the country, including Harrogate Borough Council, the monitoring officer is bound by the code of conduct when it comes to dealing with complaints and its ability to take action against councillors.  

What happened in the case of Cllr Samantha Mearns?

In the case of Cllr Samantha Mearns and the complaint from Anthony Place in June 2019, the borough council felt the councillor was “not engaged in council business” so the rules of the code of conduct did not apply.

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Later that month, the council responded to the complaint regarding Cllr Mearns and said: 

“On this occasion, your complaint is in the context of the alleged misappropriation of customers goods/money by a company in which Samantha Mearns and her husband were directly involved.  

“Samantha Mearns was not engaged on council business when carrying out any activities associated with the company.  

“For this reason, it would not be appropriate for me to refer the matter for investigation under the council’s code of conduct.” 

The council then did not take any further action to investigate the complaint.

It was a similar situation with the case of Ernest Butler

More recently, the Stray Ferret reported on parish Cllr Ernest Butler after racial comments he made on social media regarding a white lives matter protest.

A complaint was made to the borough council about his post, but again said it could not take action. The authority again said the councillor should be engaged in business directly related to the council or constituents for it to breach its code. 

However, these cases do not necessarily always leave the complainant feeling satisfied. 

In the case of Mr Place, he told the Stray Ferret: 

“For the life of me, I cannot see how someone conducts themselves in their private life isn’t relevant to how they conduct themselves in public office.” 

Council bosses urge ‘sensible decisions’ amid covid costs

County council bosses have called for sensible financial decisions as the authority faces losing more than £11 million in council tax and business rates due to the coronavirus pandemic.

While the authority has taken measures to cover its losses on council tax, early indications show the council faces an overall £3.9 million overspend by the end of the year.

Gary Fielding, director for strategic resources, said the figure was offset by funding from government and underspends in other departments.

But, he told a meeting of senior councillors that he remained concerned by the effect of coronavirus on finances going forward.

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Indications from the first three months of the year show that council faces £11.9 million in losses on business rates and council tax due to the pandemic. The authority has made provision for the cost, but said it was an early estimate which would effect next year’s finances.

Other areas of overspend include health and adult social care at £11.2 million, £1.4 in business and environment, £1.7 million on children and young people services, £7.9 million in central services and £11.3 million on corporate miscellaneous.

Health and adult services saw the most financial pressure, said Mr Fielding. This is because the council is expecting to cover the costs of care packages for those discharged from hospital at a cost of £4.8 million and is also forecasting an increase in demand for mental health care.

However, the authority has been supported with underspends in other council departments and offset its losses with £29.5 million worth of government funding.

Mr Fielding reiterated to councillors on the authority’s executive that he was not considering a section 114 notice – a measure taken in dire financial circumstances – but said he remained concerned about covid going forward.

He said:

“To be absolutely clear, we are not in a position where I need to be consider issuing a section 114 notice.

“We are not in that territory. I remain concerned about the impact that covid will have on the recurring position going forward and that’s why we are refreshing our medium term financial strategy and we need to make sure we are are sensible with our spending decisions in the current year.

“We will not need an emergency budget as such as some other councils have carried out. What we need to do is have sensible financial management within the council led by the executive and management board.”

It comes as other councils and public services have seen finances stretched due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Harrogate Borough Council faces an overall shortfall of around £9 million due to coronavirus. It has also seen a significant increase in caseloads for people requiring support for council tax and housing benefit.

Meanwhile, North Yorkshire’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner has said the county’s police force faces a loss in income of around £1.6 million.

The commissioner’s office said the estimated figure was an “early indication” and included areas such as a loss in speed camera income and no sports events to police.

Boroughbridge man jailed for taking indecent photographs of three-year-old girl

A Boroughbridge man has been jailed for taking indecent photographs of a three-year-old girl and three other offences involving indecent images of children.

Geoffrey Crowther, 72, a self-employed heavy goods driver, was sentenced to 12 months in jail at York Crown Court today (August 26) and was placed on the sex offenders’ register.

Mr Crowther previously pleaded guilty to four charges of:

North Yorkshire Police’s Online Abuse and Exploitation Team arrested Mr Crowther on November 12, 2018, and carried out a search warrant of his home following intelligence of suspicious website activity linked to him.

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Numerous telephones and other devices were seized for examination by the force’s Digital Forensics Unit.

Mr Crowther was then charged on April 1, 2020, and later pleaded guilty at York Crown Court on July 9.

Safeguarding measures have been put in place regarding the youngster whose photograph was taken by Crowther. Police are satisfied there have been no contact offences against the girl.

DC Fiona Saunderson, of the Online Abuse & Exploitation Team, said: 

“Geoffrey Crowther did something unthinkable by taking indecent images of a young child. His despicable actions were a grotesque breach of trust which has devastated lives.”

DC Saunderson added:

“Crowther claimed he did not have a sexual interest in children. But when presented with the evidence he admitted to taking indecent photographs of a three-year-old girl.

“Again, he stated he got no sexual gratification from them and that he had deleted the photos immediately.

“Despite his continued denials that he has a sexual interest in children, all the evidence, including his very specific online search history, suggests otherwise.

“Crowther still hasn’t properly explained why he has been taking and making and indecent images of children.”

James Street pedestrianisation ‘timely and appropriate’, says council

County council bosses have said a move to temporarily pedestrianise James Street in Harrogate is “timely and appropriate”.

It comes as the county council lent its support for a temporary pedestrianisation of the street, which could be in place as early as next month, but has faced opposition from some businesses and landlords.

Harrogate Borough Council requested the measure for “social distancing and safety purposes”. The move was then backed by Don Mackenzie, executive county councillor for access.

But business owners and landlords on the street, including ex-Leeds United star Danny Mills, have since opposed the decision and described it as “damaging”.

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Now, Cllr Mackenzie has defended the decision and said that the move is an experiment after the borough council requested a full closure.

He said:

“NYCC is aware of the views expressed by some owners of James Street businesses who are opposed to plans to pedestrianise James Street.

“We wish to remind all business owners that, in response to the request from Harrogate Borough Council for full closure of James Street, the county council has indicated that it is willing to introduce as an experiment a temporary closure of a section of the street between 10am and 4.30pm each day.

“Such closures are being supported by the Department of Transport and are proving popular in various parts of the country both with residents and with local businesses. We believe, therefore, that our proposed trial closure is both timely and appropriate.”

Harrogate Borough Council has also been approached for comment, but had not responded at the time of publication.

It comes as Mr Mills wrote to both county council leader, Carl Les, and borough council leader, Richard Cooper, calling for an urgent rethink of the decision.

Mr Mills, who has lived in Harrogate for 20 years and owns four properties on James Street, described the move as “very damaging” and said businesses needed all the help they can get.

Nick Hubbert is the general manager at Hoopers.

Meanwhile, the general manager at Hoopers, Nick Hubbert, also wrote to the borough council regarding pedestrianisation.

Mr Hubbert told the Stray Ferret that he does not believe that the temporary pedestrianisation of James Street will help businesses and said he based that on years of experience.

He added that he is not against pedestrianisation long term, but he does not think that the middle of a pandemic is the right time to change things.

County council to take over Henshaws home service

North Yorkshire County Council will take over the running of Henshaws’ supported living service from October.

Senior county councillors voted at a meeting of the authority’s executive today to take over the service, which currently has 10 properties in Harrogate with a capacity for 26 people in total.

It comes as county council bosses said they were not confident that handing over the service to another provider would not result in the loss of services and that taking over would “ensure full continuation of services”.

Cllr Michael Harrison, executive member for health and adult services at the county council, said it was important for the authority to remember those people who use the service when deciding to take it over.

He said:

“A key thing here is not to lose sight of the fact that we have got individuals living independent lives and in order to do that they receive support funded by ourselves.

“It is absolutely critical that we do not lose sight of the benefits of a contract like this. Ultimately, on the one hand you could look at pounds and pence but on the other hand this is people being facilitated and supported to live independently.

“It is really important from a council perspective that we make sure that is possible. I think this is a good decision from a continuity of service perspective. 

“I think we can also look at what we are providing and the efficiency of doing that so we can deliver service continuity, efficient use of resources and positive recruitment opportunities in the Harrogate area.”

Richard Webb, director of health and adult services, added that transfer of staff over to the county council was subject to approval. If approved, the authority would then begin a recruitment process.

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The decision to close the service by Henshaws caused uncertainty for families with loved ones in the care of the charity

One family with a member with disabilities who uses the service said they would support the county council but urged them to “get it right”.

They said:

“I do believe that they want to make it work and get it right. What I do not want is for them to come in and think they can save money everywhere. They have to make it right.

“Everybody wants the same outcome, they want these adults to be supported well.”

It comes after Henshaws announced in June that it would close the service. The charity gave four weeks’ notice on the contract in March, but county council bosses negotiated a an extension until October in order to consider options for the future of the service.

Meanwhile, the charity’s CEO, Nick Marr, told the Stray Ferret that the charity has been on a “knife-edge financially”. Latest financial accounts from August 2018 show it to be spending £12.3 million – £1 million more than its income.

No further accounts have been published by the organisation. However, it announced earlier this year it would not be reopening its arts and crafts centre in Knaresborough because of financial difficulties.

Families await county council decision on Henshaws home service

Families with loved ones in the care of Henshaws will be waiting on a county council decision today on a proposal for the authority to take over the charity’s assisted living service.

North Yorkshire County Council bosses want to bring the service, which currently has 10 properties in Harrogate with a capacity for 26 people in total, in-house.

Senior councillors will vote on the proposal this morning, which would see the authority take over the service from October.

One family with a person with disabilities in Henshaws said they would support the county council, should it approve the plan, but urged them to “get it right”.

They said:

“I do believe that they want to make it work and get it right. What I do not want is for them to come in and think they can save money everywhere. They have to make it right.

“Everybody wants the same outcome, they want these adults to be supported well.”

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In a report, the county council said it is not confident that handing over the service to another company would not result in the loss of services and that taking over would “ensure full continuation of services”.

It comes as Henshaws announced back in June that it would close the service.

The charity’s CEO, Nick Marr, told the Stray Ferret that the charity has been on a “knife-edge financially”. Latest financial accounts from August 2018 show it to be spending £12.3 million – £1 million more than its income.

No further accounts have been published by the organisation. However, it announced earlier this year it would not be reopening its arts and crafts centre in Knaresborough because of financial difficulties.

The county council said it became aware of the charity’s financial situation in November 2019.

It added that it was now “determined” to get the best outcome for families by taking over the running of the supported living service.

Residents ‘gobsmacked’ after Harcourt Drive incident

Residents said they were left “gobsmacked” after an incident on Harcourt Drive which left one man dead and another in hospital.

Police were called to a serious incident on the street at 7.15pm on Sunday evening. Multiple police cars attended and an air ambulance was called out.

Officers have since reassured residents in Harrogate that the incident was “tragic and isolated”.

Max Melville, who lives on Christ Church Oval behind the street where it happened, said he was left shocked and “gobsmacked”. He added the area is normally quiet.

Mr Melville said:

“I was having Sunday lunch when I heard someone screaming.

“It’s a really quiet area in town and there is nothing that goes on around there. They are all nice people there and never in a million years would I think that this would happen around here.”

Meanwhile, other residents at the scene were told by officers to move away from the scene and stay inside their homes.

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One local resident told the Stray Ferret:

“Nothing like this happens around here.

“We came outside and were asked by an officer to move along. Another lady came out but was asked to go back into her house.”

This morning, DI Steve Menzies, senior investigating officer at North Yorkshire Police, reassured residents that officers were not looking for anyone in connection with the incident.

He said:

“I want to reassure the residents of Harrogate that this is a tragic and isolated incident and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

“Our thoughts and sincere condolences go out to the family of the man who sadly lost his life.

“I would like to appeal again to anyone who witnessed, including recording, the incident or events leading up to it to get in touch by calling 101, quoting reference 12200147262.”

Police said investigations are ongoing and no arrests had been made.

Police reassurance over ‘tragic and isolated’ Harcourt Drive incident

North Yorkshire Police has reassured people in Harrogate that an incident on Harcourt Drive yesterday was isolated and officers are not looking for anyone in connection with it.

Police confirmed in a statement that one man was pronounced dead at the scene and another was being treated in hospital.

Multiple police cars and ambulances attended the incident at around 7.15pm on Sunday evening. An air ambulance was also called out to the incident.

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DI Steve Menzies, senior investigating officer at North Yorkshire Police, said this morning:

“I want to reassure the residents of Harrogate that this is a tragic and isolated incident and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

“Our thoughts and sincere condolences go out to the family of the man who sadly lost his life.

“I would like to appeal again to anyone who witnessed, including recording, the incident or events leading up to it to get in touch by calling 101, quoting reference 12200147262.”

North Yorkshire Police said investigations are ongoing into the incident. One local resident said people were asked to move away from the scene and return to their homes while officers dealt with the incident.

They said:

“Nothing like this happens around here.

“We came outside and were asked by an officer to move along. Another lady came out but was asked to go back into her house.”