100 businesses back east/west model to replace North Yorkshire councils

More than 100 businesses in North Yorkshire have backed an east/west model to replace the current two-tier council system in the county.

The proposal has been submitted to government by the six district councils, including Harrogate Borough Council, as part of reorganisation plans.

It would see Craven, Harrogate, Richmondshire and Hambleton join together to form a unitary council in the West, with a population of 363,000, and Selby, City of York, Ryedale and Scarborough join together to form a unitary council in the East, with a population of 465,000. 

A rival model, submitted by North Yorkshire County Council and City of York, would see one unitary council for North Yorkshire with the York authority remaining in place.

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The government has told councils it will go to consultation on local government reorganisation in North Yorkshire and York this month.

Now, more than 100 businesses have written letters of support and backed the east/west proposal.

Among them is Kevin Towers, MCEO of Techbuyer which is based in Harrogate.

He said:

“We are a high growth employer, planning to add another 100 jobs in the next three years. We believe the east and west model will offer many advantages to local communities and the business sector. 

“It will enable more place-based local government and joined-up thinking on planning, transport and development that will help promote and support sustainable growth. Our experience of developing new business units in a number of different countries suggests that this is the best route to success.”

Meanwhile, Alan Cutler, deputy managing director of The PEEL Entertainment Group, based in Skipton, said: 

“Two equally balanced unitary authorities in the east and west will help maintain close connections between local government and businesses. 

“Looking further forward to devolution, the east and west model would create a balanced combined authority, which will be more effective in delivering levelling-up and clean growth, attracting and retaining a younger workforce and expanding our strong skills base.”

Councillor Richard Cooper, leader of Harrogate Borough Council, speaking on behalf of the council leaders, said: 

“Our east and west model will help drive recovery from the covid-19 pandemic and build a better economic future for the whole area. It is the only proposal that delivers two equal partners to sit within a mayoral combined authority – which is important for the success of devolution.”

County plan would “cut through red tape”

Meanwhile, the county council has said its plan would help to support businesses across North Yorkshire.

In its plans, it said companies would “only ever need to deal with one council” and make the council more accountable.

It said:

“Businesses would only ever need to deal with one council. It would mean an end to having to deal with several councils with different roles and policies.

“It would be business-friendly and streamlined, with strong local services and systems – the same for businesses in Skipton as for those in Scarborough – and a single organisation responsible for economic development, housing, planning, highways, trading standards and other essential services.

“To ensure that there are decision-making powers on a local level, a single authority for North Yorkshire would work closely with parish and town councils, enabling them to run services, where they wanted to, that we would fund. We would put in place new ways of working with communities, understanding the issues and driving the change that is needed.

“The clarity of one council working for the public and businesses will make that council more accountable.”

Robert Goodwill, MP for Scarborough, added in an open letter that devolution was “essential in attracting investment, supporting business and protecting and creating jobs as we rebuild our bruised communities”.

He said the county council’s model would provide “strength, scale and experience” for North Yorkshire.

Mr Goodwill said:

“This way you would replace the current wasteful and confusing two-tier system of local government and create one council for the entire county working in partnership with the City of York to create a devolved authority under an elected mayor. It would be a powerful voice in the North.”

Harrogate hospital records another coronavirus death

Harrogate District Hospital has reported another death from a patient who tested positive for coronavirus.

According to NHS England figures, the death was recorded on February 7.

It takes the death toll at the hospital since the start of the pandemic to 140.

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Meanwhile, the district has had a further 17 coronavirus cases confirmed.

Public Health England figures today show the total number of cases since March have increased to 6,884.

The district’s seven-day covid rate has fallen to 139 per 100,000 people.

The North Yorkshire rate currently stands at 127, while the England average is 201.

‘Not the time’ to pay more for North Yorkshire policing

Now is the not the time to hand North Yorkshire’s taxpayers another significant increase in the police precept, the county’s police commissioner has said.

Julia Mulligan, North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, said the force had already had increases in the police precept in recent years and is expecting further funding for more officers.

She told a meeting of the North Yorkshire’s Police, Fire and Crime Panel that it was not the time to put a “significant tax burden” on the county during a pandemic.

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The panel agreed a 1.99% increase in the precept for 2021/22 – which will set the rate at £271.06 for a band D property.

Commissioners across the country were given flexibility to increase police precepts by a maximum of £15, which would have resulted in a 5.64% hike in North Yorkshire.

But Mrs Mulligan said the force was well funded and would have to deal with a smaller budget this year.

She said:

“I am really, really mindful at the moment that having had significant increases in the past and the service being relatively well funded that now is not the time to put a signifiant tax burden on the public of North Yorkshire and York.”

Ms Mulligan added that she recognised the proposed increase of 1.99% was “not generous”, but said the force would have to “work hard” to offer services within its budget.

Meanwhile, Michael Porter, chief finance officer for the commissioner, said the response to precept consultation showed that the public was not as supportive of an increase as in recent years.

It comes taxpayers in Harrogate could be set to pay an average of more than £2,000 on their council tax bills this year.

North Yorkshire County Council and Harrogate Borough Council have planned increases in their share of council tax.

Councillors on both authorities will vote on the proposed increases at budget meetings later this month.

Harrogate district braced for snow as Storm Darcy hits

The Harrogate District is braced for yet more snowfall this coming week as Storm Darcy hits the UK.

According to the Met Office, the district is forecast snow showers overnight into Monday morning.

A yellow weather warning for snow remains in place for tomorrow until Wednesday.

Temperatures are also expected to drop to a low of -2 degrees celsius tonight and only reach highs of one degrees tomorrow.

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It comes as the district is set to be hit by Storm Darcy, dubbed “Beast from the East 2”, which has brought heavy rainfall, snow and icy winds.

Amid the heavy snow forecast, RHS Harlow Carr has confirmed it will be closed on Monday.

Unfortunately due to a forecast of heavy snowfall, we will be closed tomorrow, Monday 8 February. If you've paid for tickets, contact harlowcarr@rhs.org.uk to arrange a refund. When we reopen, it's for exercise for visitors who live locally, following government guidelines. pic.twitter.com/MQDPWQZryZ

— RHS Harlow Carr (@RHSHarlowCarr) February 7, 2021

It said in a tweet:

“Unfortunately due to a forecast of heavy snowfall, we will be closed tomorrow, Monday 8 February. 

“If you’ve paid for tickets, contact harlowcarr@rhs.org.uk to arrange a refund. When we reopen, it’s for exercise for visitors who live locally, following government guidelines.”

Meanwhile, the Environment Agency (EA) has a flood alert in place for the Lower River Ure near Ripon and Boroughbridge – meaning flooding is possible.

Alerts on its website said the levels in both rivers remained high due to recent rainfall, but are falling slowly.

However, the EA added that further rain and snow was forecast and it was “monitoring the situation closely”.

For full information on school closures and traffic disruption make sure you follow the Stray Ferret – we’ll have regular updates from early Monday morning if the storm affects us. 

Harrogate district records 18 further covid cases

The Harrogate District has recorded a further 18 covid cases, according to today’s Public Health England figures.

It takes the total number of cases since March to 6,867.

A further patient who tested positive for coronavirus has died at Harrogate District Hospital.

The latest death was recorded on February 5, according to NHS England figures.

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It takes the total covid-related deaths at the hospital this week to 10 and the death toll since the start of the pandemic to 139.

Meanwhile, the district’s seven-day covid rate has fallen to 151 per 100,000 people.

The North Yorkshire average stands at 135, while the national rate is 211.

Two further covid deaths at Harrogate hospital

Two further covid deaths have been reported at Harrogate District Hospital.

Both deaths were recorded yesterday (February 5), according to NHS England figures.

It brings the number of covid-related deaths at the hospital this week to nine, and the total since the start of the pandemic to 138.

Meanwhile, a further 37 covid cases have been confirmed in the Harrogate district.

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Public Health England figures today show the total number of cases since March has increased to 6,849.

Elsewhere, the district’s seven-day covid rate has fallen to 155 per 100,000 people.

The North Yorkshire average stands at 140, while the national rate is 221.

Harrogate district records another 35 covid cases

A further 35 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the Harrogate district, according to today’s Public Health England figures.

It takes the total number of cases since March to 6,812.

Meanwhile, Harrogate District Hospital has recorded another covid death. NHS England figures show the death was reported on February 3.

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The death toll at the hospital since the start of the pandemic now stands at 136.

The hospital has also discharged a further 28 patients this past week. In total, 461 patients diagnosed with coronavirus have been discharged since March.

Elsewhere, the district’s seven-day coronavirus rate has fallen to 164 per 100,000 people. The North Yorkshire average stands at 145, while the England rate is now at 231.

Appeal after man hit by white van in Harrogate

Police are appealing for information after a man was hit by a white van in Harrogate this morning.

North Yorkshire Police said the incident happened at around 9am on Regent Parade.

Officers said the man was pushed into a parked car following the collision and injured his foot.

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A statement from the force said:

“Around 9am on Friday, February 5 a white van collided with a male pedestrian on Regent Parade in Harrogate. The man was pushed into a parked car as a result of the collision and injured his foot.

“We are requesting the public’s assistance to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

“In particular, we are appealing for information about a white van that was in the area at the time.”

Anyone with information should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two, and ask for Geeta Maharjan. You can also email geeta.maharjan2@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.

To report information anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12210053525.

Six covid deaths at Harrogate hospital this week

Two more patients who tested positive for covid have died at Harrogate District Hospital, it was revealed today.

Both deaths were recorded on Tuesday, according to NHS England figures.

It brings the number of covid-related deaths at the hospital this week to six, and the total since the start of the pandemic to 135.

There are currently 65 covid patients being treated in Harrogate hospital — the highest ever figure.

However, Public Health England reported just 17 new infections in the Harrogate district today.

It is one of the lowest daily totals so far this year.

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The figure takes the total number of cases since March to 6,777.

The district’s seven-day covid rate has fallen to 177 per 100,000 people.

The North Yorkshire average has also dropped to 153, while the England rate stands at 243.

Killinghall and Hampsthwaite remains the area in the district with the highest number of covid cases in the past seven days, with 32 reported.

Senior councillors defend closure of Harrogate’s Beech Grove

Senior councillors have defended a controversial decision to close a Harrogate street to through traffic to encourage people to cycle and walk.

North Yorkshire County Council, which is the highways authority, wrote to residents on February 1 saying it planned to block the junction of Beech Grove and Lancaster Road with planters.

The experimental order will take effect on a six-month trial basis on February 15 as part of a scheme to create a low traffic neighbourhood in the area.

The sudden announcement generated a mixed response on social media, with many people questioning whether it would merely lead to more traffic on nearby streets, such as Cold Bath Road, Victoria Road and Queen’s Road.

Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive member for access at the county council, said the order was one of a series of measures the authority had proposed to reduce traffic congestion.

He added views would be taken into account when a decision was taken on whether to extend the closure in six months time.

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Asked whether the changes to Beech Grove would just move traffic elsewhere, Cllr Mackenzie told the Stray Ferret:

“That tends to happen, but what we are trying to do is trying to reduce the overall vehicle numbers and encourage people not to use their cars.

“Everyone is being encouraged to travel more actively and this is part of that.”

‘Radical measures needed’

Work to install the signage, bollards and planters will take three days from February 15, weather permitting.

Designated parking bays for ambulances will be installed on Trinity Road.

The changes to Beech Road, along with the forthcoming Otley Road cycle route, could link to create a better connected cycle route into the town centre.

Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive county councillor for access at North Yorkshire County Council.

Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive county councillor for access at North Yorkshire County Council.

The county council will spend £9,954 of its own funds on the Beech Grove scheme.

Cllr Mackenzie said this was because the council only received about £133,000 – half of the maximum possible available – when it applied to a government fund for active travel.

Cllr Richard Cooper, the leader of Harrogate Borough Council who also represents Harrogate central on the county council, said radical measures were needed to solve traffic congestion.

“I know that some local residents are sceptical about these new sustainable transport measures. I understand that and I respect that view while not agreeing with it.

“The fact of the matter is that we cannot pretend that traffic congestion, poor air quality, a diminishing environment and climate change can be solved without radical changes to our transport infrastructure and our personal travel habits.”

Other proposed county council measures to ease traffic congestion, include a park and ride bus service, Killinghall bypass and traffic calming measures in Bilton. 

The authority was also been awarded £1 million for three cycling schemes in Harrogate, of which one will include £250,000 for cycling measures on Victoria Avenue.

Closure met with mixed response

News of the changes to Beech Grove met with mixed reaction on the Stray Ferret Facebook and Twitter accounts.

One person said:

“So how do you get to Otley Road if you are coming out of Victoria Ave junction with West Park? You’d have to go right up Cold Bath Road to the grammar school – much further.”

Another said:

“So to ease congestion, every car now has to go via Prince of Wales roundabout to Cold Bath Road junction? I’m not an expert but they’ll be the same amount of cars on the roads regardless, so I don’t get how shutting roads anywhere is the answer?”

However, others welcomed the council’s decision and said it would improve the quality of life.

“Excellent idea. Should be just the start of many of the same. Turn the Stray into a true part of the community as opposed to an island surrounded by cars.”