5 reasons why we should care about devolution in North Yorkshire

Whichever way you look at it, a devolution deal for North Yorkshire will include a mayor.

Below the mayor, there is an ongoing debate over whether the county should have one single unitary council or a few large authorities.

But what does devolution actually mean and why should we care? Here are the reasons why.

What is a mayor?

The devolved authority would have a mayor which is directly elected by the public.

They would be elected in 2022 and would normally serve for four years as part of an election cycle.

The mayor would hold significant power and influence over areas such as bus services, transport and setting up development corporations to buy and sell land.

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A new mayoral tax

When the government introduced more directly-elected mayors in 2016, it also gave them powers to introduce precepts to pay for the functions of the office.

Different mayors have different powers, but all of them can charge extra on top of council tax bills to fund what they do.

What about council tax?

Council tax would still be paid to the local authority, which would continue to run daily services such as bins and filling potholes.

However, some powers would be taken on by the elected mayor, such as public transport and buying land for employment developments.

The powers of the devolved mayor are focused on employment and boosting the economy.

Why should I care?

A mayor of North Yorkshire would be accountable to residents across the entire county.

Any changes of services in their remit or use of public money would be answerable to those who elected them.

For example, the mayor would have new powers over bus routes, timetables and fares in Harrogate and elsewhere.

Mayors also have the power to set up development corporations to buy and sell land, as demonstrated in the Tees Valley where the former Redcar steelworks has been bought by the authority’s corporation.

How close are we to a deal?

It is early days, but government has already set its sights on resolving the issue of devolution by 2022 to coincide with mayoral elections.

At the moment, the county council and its seven districts are voting on a list of “asks” which outline their proposal for devolved powers. Government will take those requests and propose a devolution deal to the county which will then be voted and consulted on.

Littering in the Pinewoods ‘a continual problem’

Littering in the Pinewoods is still a problem and has increased since lockdown was eased, according to a local conservation group.

The Pinewoods Conservation Group said the relaxation of restrictions has resulted in large gatherings coming to the woods and leaving rubbish behind.

It said volunteers are often out cleaning up the litter, but added that this “should not be necessary”.

The news follows similar complaints made about large gatherings on the Stray in June.

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Empty beer cans, pizza boxes and laughing gas canisters were left overnight in what was described as the “biggest mess for six years”.

It comes as a Freedom of Information request by Clean For Britain, a campaign to reduce litter and fly tipping, found that Harrogate Borough Council handed out no fines for littering in 2018/19.

Rubbish left on the Stray following a large gathering in June.

Pinewoods Conservation group called on the borough council to take the matter seriously.

A spokesperson for the group said:

“Litter in the Pinewoods is a continual problem and did increase coming out of lockdown. 

“Our volunteers and supporters do an amazing job at keeping the litter down but really shouldn’t be necessary. We know there is no real enforcement even when there are large groups congregating and it is obvious who is generating the litter.

“It is also the case that, in the woods, litter then leads to more serious damage and anti-social behaviour. It is time that the council started to take its enforcement responsibilities seriously.”

A spokesperson for the borough council said:

“Thankfully, by and large, there is very little litter in the Harrogate district. Where there have been isolated issues, such as on the Stray, our parks and environmental services team have worked tirelessly to have it cleared as quickly as possible.

“We have also added signage and additional bins/collections to remind people to be respectful of the beautiful surroundings we have in the district.

Harrogate Town fans ecstatic after Wembley promotion

Harrogate Town fans were left ecstatic this afternoon after the club secured Football League status for the first time in its history.

A 3-1 win over Notts County at Wembley saw the club win their second promotion in three seasons.

Fans flocked to pubs across Harrogate to watch their side make history and were left delighted come five o’clock this afternoon.

Chris Thorpe celebrates Harrogate Town securing Football League status for the first time.

Chris Thorpe watched the game at a packed Harrogate Cricket Club and said he hopes Town can build on the promotion.

He said:

“I’m so delighted with the performance. We were the best team by far.

“We should have been two or three up by half time and were unlucky to concede inside the second half.

“We were absolutely class and were the best team by a mile. I can’t wait to play league football.

“Unfortunately we won’t be able to watch the guys next season, but we will watch them on TV maybe and we’re looking forward to pushing onto League One.”

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Town’s victory leaves them in league football for the first time in their history and 10 years on from facing relegation to the seventh tier.

Goals from George Thompson, Connor Hall and Jack Diamond ensured Harrogate will host League Two football next season.

For the fans, they have trips to Bradford City, Bolton Wanderers and Oldham Athletic to look forward to, should social distancing guidelines be relaxed.

Town are going up! pic.twitter.com/O25P92ppgr

— The Stray Ferret (@thestrayferret) August 2, 2020

Mike Burrett, who also follows Leeds United, said the win also means a lot for the town.

He said:

“I think it’s brilliant, because when I was a kid I went to Harrogate Town and they had crowds of about 300.

“Obviously it is different now and I think they can go from strength to strength. 

“It was always said that Harrogate could not sustain a league football team, but I think that has been disproved.”

 

The 10 years that changed Harrogate Town’s fortunes

From facing relegation to English football’s seventh tier to potentially playing Bolton Wanderers at a 28,000 seater stadium, the last 10 years have proved to be a whirlwind for Harrogate Town.

Years of change at Wetherby Road have seen the club’s current crop of players on the brink of history as they prepare to play at Wembley for a place in the Football League for the first time.

As Town gear up for the biggest game in their 101 year history, the prospect of a place in League Two seems a world away from 2010 when the club faced relegation.

After a dismal campaign, Town faced playing the 2010/11 season in the then Unibond Premier against the likes of Whitby Town and FC United of Manchester.

Harrogate Town manager, Simon Weaver.

Simon Weaver took over the club in the 2009/10 season. Picture Credit: Matt Kirkham Harrogate Town

It was the first season in charge for manager Simon Weaver, who will lead the club out at Wembley this weekend, and a restricted budget left Town bottom of the division.

But the club were saved from relegation after Northwich Victoria were demoted instead for failing to pay their debts on time. The reprieve proved to be pivotal as Town underwent a decade of change which could lead them into the EFL.

Irving Weaver, Simon’s father, took ownership in 2011 after chairman Bill Fotherby decided to stop funding the club. But success was not immediate and Town spent the following season in a relegation dogfight again.

CNG Stadium, Wetherby Road, home of Harrogate Town FC.

A few more seasons of mid-table finishes and struggling in the bottom half of the division began to take its toll on supporters.

Jordan Ford, of the Harrogate Town Supports Club, said much of the change at the club came after New Years Day in 2015. A 4-2 defeat away at Guiseley forced Mr Ford and fellow supporters to call for a meeting with the club.

He said:

“We were just not happy with the way things were going and there was not the relationship that is there now with fans.

“A few things were said, but they were very honest and had an open conversation with us.”

Town fans felt the club lacked direction and a question and answer session with management laid all the concerns on the table.

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The following season saw the club record its highest ever league position and reach the play-offs, only to be eliminated at the hands of AFC Fylde.

A 3G pitch, new crop of players and a more entertaining style of football followed and, from there, Town began to rewrite the history books.

In 2018, a 3-0 triumph over Brackley Town in front of a 3,000 strong sellout crowd saw the club promoted to the fifth tier for the first time.

Town kept up the momentum and reached the play offs at the first time of asking last season, but were again eliminated by AFC Fylde.

Harrogate Town FC

Picture Credit: Matt Kirkham Harrogate Town

Now, the current crop of players are on the brink of writing their own story as Harrogate look to claim a place in the Football League for the first time in their 101-year history.

For Mr Ford, part of the success at the club is down to its transparency and the relationship it now has with its supporters following New Years Day five years ago.

He said:

“The numbers of supporters at the club has increased.

“It is a great time to be involved and to feel as though we have been a part of that journey. The club appreciates what we do.”

 
Pride for Harrogate Town fans ahead of Wembley

Supporters of Harrogate Town have a sense of pride ahead of the biggest game in the club’s history this Sunday as they look to clinch Football League status.

While fans will be absent from Wembley on match day, Town will have the backing of thousands at home as some watch from their living rooms or in the company of fellow fans at the pub.

For Jordan Ford, of the Harrogate Town Supporters Club, the feeling of watching his team in the final is more one of excitement than nerves.

“I feel more excited than nervous to see my club at Wembley.

“The players have been at the club for many years and it will be a great experience for them to see what their hard work has brought them.”

Promotion to League Two would see a £1 million windfall for Town and hosting the likes of Bradford City and Bolton Wanderers at the CNG Stadium.

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Mr Ford, who organises the travel for supporters to away games, said the prospect of travelling to such places with Town is enticing.

He said:

“There’s a lot more northern places in League Two, so there will be interest.

“It would be amazing to play teams like Bradford, and Bolton were in Europe not so long ago.”

However, the road to the Football League would be bittersweet as supporters are absent from Wembley due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The 90,000 seater stadium will be empty as Town play Notts County for a place in the EFL, but Mr Ford said the supporters will still play their part.

He said:

“It’s frustrating but that’s the way it is.

“Notts County fans are in exactly the same position and we want to do what is best.

“This is the situation we are in and we have to make the best of it.”

Town booked their place in the final after a 1-0 win over Boreham Wood last Saturday. After 150 days since a football was kicked at the CNG Stadium, some supporters were anxious about the restart.

Rob Nixon, who has followed Town for the past five years, said the feeling of getting to Wembley was sweeter after the long break.

But he added that it will not be the same without supporters there

He said:

“When we got promoted last time and they did so well, it was quite a crazy situation to be in.

“We have been doing better than before and it is a natural progression. But it’s not not quite the same feeling when we are not there.

“The feeling would be more palpable for us if we were there.”

Districts to launch alternative council reorganisation bid

Harrogate Borough Council has united with other district authorities in North Yorkshire to launch a fightback against county council proposals for a single authority ahead of a potential devolution bid.

Leaders from the county’s seven district and borough authorities have today begun a “working together to get change right campaign” as part of an alternative proposal to reorganise local councils.

They argue North Yorkshire County Council’s vision of a single authority for the whole county is not right and the 800,000 residents “deserve better”.

It comes as the government has told council leaders that local government has to be reorganised in the county if any future devolution bid is to be agreed. As a result, North Yorkshire County Council has started to draw up plans for a single council to serve the entire county – which would mean the seven districts would be scrapped.

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But now, district leaders are to work on tabling their own proposal to government. They chose Yorkshire Day, August 1, to begin their campaign.

Speaking on behalf of the leaders group, Cllr Richard Cooper, leader of Harrogate Borough Council, said a single council would be “unworkable”.

He said:

“We were in discussions with the minister earlier this month, and it is clear that the government is open to granting devolved powers and potentially billions in investment to our area, but only if local government is reorganised first. It’s really not a question of “if” reorganisation will happen. It’s more a question of ‘how’.

“A mega council, covering the entire North Yorkshire area – the biggest county area in the whole country – has been mooted. But we don’t believe that’s workable, or in the best interests of our people, places and economy.

“Our citizens deserve better, which is why we’re campaigning to create an alternative bid that gets reorganisation right.

“Reorganising local government will affect the lives of 800,000 people, so we’ve got to get it right. Over the next few weeks we will be reaching out to communities, businesses, councillors, parish councils and other local organisations, to find out how we can build on what we already do well, and where things could improve.

“We’ll be doing a lot of listening. We want any bid that goes before government to have local support, and we hope that government will respect that grass-roots approach.”

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12 cases of coronavirus in Harrogate district as rates remain low

Public Health England figures show 12 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the Harrogate District in the past week, but infection rates across the county remain low.

The data shows a small day-by-day increase in the number of cases between July 20 and 26, with just one positive case since then.

It comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the prevalence of the virus is “likely to be rising” in England with some lockdown easing due for August 1 being delayed.

Further data has been released by government, known as the “middle super output area”, which shows the number of cases at a neighbourhood level across the country.

The move follows complaints from local authorities that a lack of data at a local level prevented them from managing outbreaks effectively.

According to the data, four cases of coronavirus were confirmed in the Boroughbridge and Marton-cum-Grafton area last week. However, data for areas where fewer than two positive cases have been reported is not included.

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So far, a total 724 cases of the virus have been confirmed in the district compared with 2,566 in the wider county.

Meanwhile, Harrogate District Hospital announced yesterday that it currently has no positive coronavirus patients for the first time since the pandemic began.

The hospital has also gone 16 days without reporting a coronavirus death and no further deaths were recorded in care homes in Harrogate last week.

A spokesperson for Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust said that people “must remain vigilant” in order to keep cases low.

Well done to each and every one of #teamHDFT. pic.twitter.com/zimIENBlfF

— Harrogate NHS FT (@HarrogateNHSFT) July 30, 2020

It comes as last night Matt Hancock, secretary of state for health and social care, announced a local lockdown in Greater Manchester, Bradford, Kirklees and Calderdale. Residents in those areas will no longer be allowed to mix with other households indoors, including in pubs and restaurants.

Mr Hancock said the government was placing areas into local lockdowns in order to prevent a second wave of the virus.

The government also announced a delay on reopening of “higher risk” areas, such as bowling alleys and weddings of up to 30 people

However, earlier this month, Dr Lincoln Sargeant, director of public health at North Yorkshire County Council, told senior councillors that the county was not in the same position as those areas with high infections.

Dr Sargeant said figures in the county “remained low” and that rates in Scarborough, which were the highest, were at half the levels of Leicester – which was also put into a local lockdown in June.

He said:

“We are in a situation where the numbers are low and that gives us a good opportunity to consolidate that situation to work effectively with test and trace to keep those numbers low.”

No positive coronavirus patients at Harrogate hospital

Harrogate District Hospital has reported no positive coronavirus patients for the first time since the pandemic began.

In more good news, it was also revealed today that no coronavirus deaths have been reported at the hospital for 15 days.

This means the death toll at the hospital remains at 82. 

Well done to each and every one of #teamHDFT. pic.twitter.com/zimIENBlfF

— Harrogate NHS FT (@HarrogateNHSFT) July 30, 2020

It is the second-longest time the hospital has not reported any coronavirus deaths since the pandemic began.

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Nationally, 12 more patients who tested positive for the virus have died in hospital. None were in the north east and Yorkshire region.

NHS England said those patients who died were aged between 40 and 96 and all had known underlying health conditions.

It takes the death toll in England’s hospitals to 29,329.

County to draw up plans for single North Yorkshire council

North Yorkshire County Council will draw up plans for a single authority to serve the county in a move which would see Harrogate Borough Council scrapped.

It comes as part of local council reorganisation plans requested by the government in order to reach a devolution deal. Earlier this week, NYCC said it would bid for more than £2 billion of investment as part of the shake-up of local government.

Simon Clark, local government minister, told council leaders across the county earlier this month that a change in the number of councils will be required for any devolved powers to be agreed.

It would mean that the county council and its seven districts, including Harrogate Borough Council, would be scrapped and replaced with a single authority which would provide services for the entire county.

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The move would see the new council work alongside City of York Council in a proposed devolution deal. 

A final decision on whether to submit the bid to government for a unitary authority will be made by the council’s executive at a later date. Councils have until September to submit any proposal.

Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council, said:

“The timing is critical as we drive post-pandemic recovery and York and North Yorkshire need to act now to ensure we are not left behind.

“We have therefore today instructed officers to put together a business case for a single strong, sustainable council for everyone in North Yorkshire, based on the current map and population.

“Not only will a single council based on the county’s current identity, simplify things for people and businesses – renewing our economic fortunes following the shock delivered by the pandemic – it will protect and strengthen high-quality frontline services.

“It will also unleash the county’s potential and deliver very significant financial savings by ending duplication, improving efficiency and driving innovation.

“We estimate savings in excess of £25m every year, offering the best value for money for everyone. No other bid would be able to match these benefits. Equally importantly it will protect a global and recognised brand which is crucial for our visitor economy.”

Devolution bid

Meanwhile, county councillors pressed ahead with proposals for a devolution deal earlier this week when the executive agreed a list of “asks” worth £2.4 billion.

More powers over transport, skills, regeneration and energy are included in the submission, as well as a mayoral funding pot worth £750 million over 25 years.

All councils across the county have to agree to the submission before it can be put on the table to government.

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Harrogate Convention Centre: £46.8m renovation moves a step closer

A £46.8 million renovation of Harrogate’s Convention Centre moved a step closer this evening.

Paula Lorimer, director of the centre, told the meeting the investment was necessary for the success of the district.

A full council meeting next week will now have the final say on whether to spend £1.1 million on detailed designs, a feasibility study and full economic impact assessment of the benefits of renovation.

Ms Lorimer said:

“We need this redevelopment not only to drive more conferences, but for the district and the community.

“We run school events, remembrance events, entertainment, orchestras and community groups.

“We do a great deal to support the community and the revenue we provide goes back into the council.

“What comes into us ripples out into the district. We need a successful HCC.”

Paula Lorimer, director of Harrogate Convention Centre.

A confidential cabinet report leaked to the Stray Ferret warned the centre “will not survive” unless councillors approved the project.

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While the move to invest in the centre has been welcomed by local businesses and borough councillors, others have criticised the decision.

Eamon Parkin, Mayor of Ripon, said the investment would not benefit people in the city and twas a waste of money.

In an exclusive interview with the Stray Ferret, Phil Willis, former MP for Harrogate, called on “amateur councillors” to step back from involvement in the centre.