Calvin Robinson Chief Reporter, Author at The Stray Ferret

Council to bid for £1.7m emergency funding for hospital discharges

North Yorkshire Council looks set to bid for up to £1.7 million worth of funding to help ease pressure on hospital emergency departments.

The Department of Health and Social Care has invited local authorities to apply for grants to help with discharges in social care, which in turn will support accident and emergency units.

Ministers have allocated North Yorkshire as one of the authority areas which has the “greatest health and care challenges”.

The government has given the council an indicative funding amount of £1.1 million, but has encouraged it to apply for up to £1.7 million.

A report by Abigail Barron, assistant director for prevention and service development at the council, has proposed a number of measures as part of the council’s bid.

Among them include employing additional agency social workers to speed up discharge allocations, establishing winter grants for the voluntary sector to help with prevention and developing additional support for unpaid carers.

Ms Barron said the measures would help to “avoid hospital admissions and expedite discharge and flow”.

She added:

“The schemes will also assist North Yorkshire Council’s strategic objective of both supporting hospital discharge and reducing reliance on short stay residential beds.”

The move comes after Harrogate District Hospital managers raised concern that patients were staying in hospital longer than they should because of a lack of private care services.

Last year, Jonathan Coulter, chief executive at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, said the issue had a knock on effect on emergency departments and was the “biggest issue” that the trust faced.

In September 2022, the trust also outlined plans to launch its own home care service in a bid to free up hospital beds.

At the time, the move was met with some concern by councillors who said it could “distort the market”.

Masham cricketer’s air ambulance rescue to feature on TV tonight

An air ambulance rescue of a Masham cricketer who snapped his ankle while playing is set to feature on a television series tonight.

Brendan Jackson, 15, was playing for Masham Cricket Club’s second team in April this year when he was injured.

During a match at Walton Park Cricket Club near Wetherby, Brendan caught his studs in the crease while bowling his third over. He dislocated his ankle and fractured both bones in his lower leg.

A helicopter from Yorkshire Air Ambulance was dispatched from Topcliffe Air Base in Thirsk to complete the 20-mile journey to the club.

Upon arrival, paramedics administered gas and air to alleviate Brendan’s pain.

Brendan described the crew who arrived on scene as “superheroes”. He said:

“I remember my first reaction vividly; it was a mix of shock and fear. I just looked down, and all I could think was, ‘Oh my word, what has happened, and will I ever be able to play cricket again?’ It was a terrifying moment for me.

“When the Yorkshire Air Ambulance team showed up, it was a massive relief. They were like superheroes, and I’m so grateful for how they were able to take away some of my pain. I can’t thank them enough for being there.”

A still from Helicopter ER, which features Brendan’s rescue.

Brendan was also given Ketamine medication to help relieve the pain, but also give a dissociative effect and help him cope with the traumatic experience.

After his leg was put in a splint, he was transferred to Harrogate District Hospital for surgery.

Diane Sharp, Brendan’s mother, said she remembered the incident as a “traumatic day”. She said:

“I didn’t see his leg initially; I just thought he had tripped. But once I heard him shouting in agony, I knew I had to rush over and keep him as calm as possible until more help arrived.”

The rescue by Yorkshire Air Ambulance is set to feature on an episode of television series Helicopter ER tonight.

The new series will be broadcast on Quest at 9pm.

Two injured after stone thrown through Ripon house window

Police have appealed for information after a large stone was thrown through the window of a property in Ripon.

The stone not only smashed the window, but the shards of glass also injured two homeowners who were sitting in their living room at the time.

The incident happened on Redshaw Close at around 12.05am on Friday, September 1.

A North Yorkshire Police statement added:

“Officers are asking people to get in touch if they are aware of anyone who was in the area at the time, have any suggestions of who the suspects may be, or have any CCTV showing suspicious behaviour in the area at the time of the incident.

“Anyone with any information is asked to email adam.deacon2@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for PC Adam Deacon.

“If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

“Please quote reference number 12230164661 when passing on information.”

Plan to install electric vehicle charging bays at Harrogate M&S approved

A plan to install eight electric vehicle charging points in the car park at Marks and Spencer’s food hall at Oatlands in Harrogate has been approved.

BP Pulse, which is BP’s electric vehicle charging business, applied to North Yorkshire Council for the scheme in August this year.

The company has an agreement to install high-speed electric vehicle charge points at about 70 M&S stores.

Officers at North Yorkshire Council have now approved the proposal for the Harrogate Oatlands site.

A planning statement by Manchester planning consultants Rapleys LLP on behalf of BP Pulse said the charging points would be located to the north of the store, next to Hookstone Road.

The statement says six of the spaces have their own dedicated charger, and two spaces would share a hyper charger, which is an ultra-fast DC to DC charger that can fully charge batteries in a a few minutes.

One of the spaces would be a disabled bay.

The developer added in its statement:

“Whilst the proposal would be visible within the existing car park, the proposal is minimal in nature and comprises a small element of electrical equipment only.

“Further, the use and appearance of the EV charging pillars and the associated electrical cabinet is consistent with the sites existing use as a car park.”

Police commissioner Zoe Metcalfe rejects appointing interim chief constable

North Yorkshire’s police commissioner rejected plans to appoint an interim chief constable in favour of starting a recruitment process despite being advised it could coincide with a mayoral election.

Lisa Winward, who is currently chief constable at North Yorkshire Police, will retire on March 31, 2024.

Conservative commissioner Zoe Metcalfe will appoint a permanent successor despite the commissioner’s office being abolished when a Mayor of York and North Yorkshire is elected in May 2024.

The mayor is set to take on police commissioner powers, which include the ability to appoint a chief constable.

In a report from Simon Dennis, chief executive at the commissioner’s office, he advised Ms Metcalfe that there was a risk that a recruitment timeline could slip into the pre-election period before the mayoral election.

But Ms Metcalfe announced that the recruitment process should start imminently as it was in the “public interest” to do so.

She said:

“I am keen to commence the recruitment process to ensure an appointment is made to take over the reins from chief constable Winward. This will ensure that North Yorkshire Police has inspirational, visionary and stable leadership at the helm providing strategic and operational leadership and resilience at a vital time for North Yorkshire Police”

“Whilst the decision is mine, I have not reached it without full and frank input from those who are qualified to advise me. In consultation with key national and local stakeholders, I am satisfied that it is in the public interest to launch the recruitment process.”

In a report, the commissioner was offered alternative options, which included appointing the deputy chief constable to the position until after the mayoral election or to appoint an interim chief constable.

The report said the option of appointing the deputy chief constable to the role should be given “serious consideration” as it would avoid “any measure of constitutional and/or political controversy”.

But it added that the commissioner “is known to be uneasy about a decision which would consequentially give rise to acting arrangements in the roles of chief constable, deputy chief constable and one assistant chief constable role”.

Ms Metcalfe turned down the alternative options in favour of starting a recruitment process.

A ‘short-sighted, ill-informed’ decision

Keith Tordoff

Keith Tordoff, independent candidate for Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said the move to start the search for a chief constable was “wrong”.

He said:

“The decision by Zoe Metcalfe is short-sighted, ill-informed, and not in the best interest of the people of North Yorkshire, or the police force itself.

“This is the wrong decision as Lisa Winward retires at the end of March, and a new mayor is elected just a month later in May.

“The mayor takes over as the police, fire, and crime commissioner, and needs to be part of the process of electing the successor that they will be working closely with.”

Plan to install solar panels on historic Harrogate almshouses

Plans have been submitted to install 56 solar panels on historic almshouses in Harrogate town centre.

The Rogers Almshouses Trustees have tabled the proposal for the gothic-style grade two listed site, which was built in about 1868, on Belford Road.

In its plan to North Yorkshire Council, the trustees said the move would help to provide a “sustainable solution” for energy at the 14 houses.

The almshouses were a gift from George Rogers, Bradford textile manufacturer and Harrogate philanthropist.

Originally, 12 almshouses were constructed. Planning permission was granted for a further two one-bedroom houses in 2020.

The proposal would see solar panels installed at the site to help produce renewable energy for the homes, which are classed as affordable housing.

Planning documents submitted to the council said:

“The application proposes the introduction of 56 PV modules distributed across the eastern facing roof of the main almshouses building and the southern facing side of the bungalow to help meet the energy needs of the dwellings by providing a more sustainable solution through renewable energy sources.”

It added that the proposal would have “minimal visual impact” and would “protect the visual integrity” of the site, which is in the Harrogate Conservation Area.

A heritage statement submitted by architects Richard Eves in support of the application said:

“The proposal makes a significant contribution to the quality of the build environment in the locality and it will provide the charity with the valuable opportunity of further future proofing this historic building.”

North Yorkshire Council will make a decision on the plan at a later date.

Andrew Jones MP ‘disappointed’ after HS2 northern leg cancelled

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones has said he is “disappointed” after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak scrapped plans for the northern leg of HS2.

In a speech before the Conservative Party conference this afternoon, Mr Sunak announced the high speed rail link between Birmingham and Manchester would be cancelled. Only the new London Euston to Birmingham line will be built.

The Prime Minister said the move would save £36 billion, which he pledged to spend on other transport projects.

Mr Jones, who has long been a vocal supporter of the HS2 project and is co-chair of the Transport Across The North All Party Parliament Group, said the scheme would cost billions of pounds more than expected, but regretted the decision to scrap it.

He said:

“I am disappointed by the news today that the northern leg of HS2 from Birmingham to Manchester is to be effectively scrapped. The idea of HS2 was to build capacity into our north-south rail links. Building that capacity is the right thing to do and HS2 would achieve that.

“HS2 Limited was set up to manage the project and it has become clear that it has lost control of its costs. It is right that the company will be held accountable for this.

“HS2 is now looking to over-run by tens of billions of pounds. From an original budget of around £30bn it seems likely when the latest updates are released that the cost will be over £100bn.

“In context, that over-run is approaching half of what we spend on the NHS every year.

“I can see, therefore, why a decision had to be made. It is though a decision I regret.”

The MP and former rail minister told a Transport for the North conference in September 2021 it was vital that the HS2 scheme was delivered in full for the north.

At the time, he said the high speed rail link would help to put “more connectivity and capacity into our system”.

In a statement to the Stray Ferret today, Mr Jones said it remained his position that he would have preferred the Manchester leg of the project to have been delivered.

However, he added that the “ballooning cost” of HS2 was holding back other transport infrastructure in the north of England.

Mr Jones said:

“The ballooning costs of HS2 are holding back other investment in transport infrastructure in the north. The Prime Minister has promised that the cash that would have been invested in the Manchester leg of HS2 will be repurposed to other northern projects – ones which can be achieved more quickly and have a more immediate impact on people’s lives and businesses.

“So I am disappointed that we have ended up in this place. I would have preferred the remainder of the HS2 to Manchester to be completed. That has always been my position and it remains my position now.

“But we are where we are because HS2 Limited has demonstrated poor financial control. We cannot turn the clock back. In politics you need to look forward even when circumstances change in a way you wish they had not. The Prime Minister listed some but I look forward to hearing about more northern projects, and in more detail, that are to become the focus of the investment that would have been dedicated to HS2.”

Meanwhile, Lord McLoughlin, chair of Transport for the North, said the move to cancel the northern leg of HS2 was “naturally disappointing”.

He said:

“It’s undeniable that this will be seen by many as a missed opportunity for the region, and the country as a whole. Only last week, northern business and political leaders came together at our TfN Board to speak with ‘one voice’ to reaffirm our position that HS2 and NPR in full are vital to truly transform the North.

“The announcement of investment in the region is obviously welcome. And we will look to work with government to fully understand the implications for the north of the proposals set out today in the Prime Minister’s speech, and consult with our board on the best way forward in light of this new change of policy.

“There are still quite a few areas that require further clarification from the Department for Transport, which we will be seeking from them.”

Housing companies start work on 33-home Kirkby Malzeard scheme

Two North Yorkshire housing companies have announced a partnership which will see them build 33 homes at Kirby Malzeard, near Ripon.

It will see Brierley Homes, which is owned by North Yorkshire Council, and Broadacres Housing Association create a new development called Laverton Oaks.

Thirteen of the 33 houses will be classed as affordable.

Brierley Homes is delivering the scheme following an agreement to buy the land from Broadacres.

Work on the site is expected to be completed within two years.

Stuart Ede, managing director at Brierley Homes, said:

“This announcement is the result of 12 months of hard work and negotiations between ourselves and Broadacres on this and other schemes.

“It is an exciting partnership between two North Yorkshire companies that will deliver high-quality housing in areas of greatest need.”

Helen Fielding, director of development and investment at Broadacres, said:

“Working in partnership with Brierley Homes, we are pleased to be able to provide 13 much-needed affordable homes in this part of rural North Yorkshire.

“It’s important that we continue investing in even more affordable housing across the county, ensuring our rural communities remain sustainable for local people now and in the future.”

MPs Watch: Climate change, NHS dentists and Harrogate Station Gateway saga

Every month the Stray Ferret tries to find out what our local MPs have been up to in their constituencies and in the House of Commons.

In September, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a major shift in the government’s climate policies, including delaying the ban on the sale of diesel and petrol cars.

Meanwhile, in Harrogate, the saga over the Station Gateway project continued with council officials announcing the authority would explore alternative options for the scheme.

We asked Ripon MP Julian Smith and Selby and Ainsty MP Keir Mather if they would like to highlight anything in particular, but did not receive a response.

Here is what we know after analysing their online presence.

Andrew Jones, Harrogate and Knaresborough MP.

In Harrogate and Knaresborough, here is what we found on Mr Jones:

On September 1, Mr Jones attended a Harrogate war memorial centenary event.
Mr Jones met with Alzheimer’s Research UK in Parliament on September 6.
On September 8, he met with North Yorkshire and Humber Integrated Care Board, alongside regional MPs, to discuss NHS dentistry.
Mr Jones then raised the issue of NHS dentistry access in Harrogate during Prime Minister’s Question Time on September 13.
On September 14, he raised a question to the Department for Business and Trade regarding support for companies exporting and asked the Leader of the House for a debate on SEND funding.
He chaired a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Transport across the North.
Mr Jones described the Prime Minister’s announcement of a shift in climate policy as “practical and pragmatic” on September 21.
Mr Jones visited the refurbished Harrogate Leisure and Wellness Centre on September 22.
On September 25, he met with constituents to discuss anti-social behaviour concerns at the former Kimberley Hotel.
He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service on September 26 that he hoped North Yorkshire Council will use money earmarked for the £11.2m Station Gateway to create a more welcoming space in Harrogate.

When we contacted Mr Jones for comment, his office sent a list of his engagements for September.

They included holding constituency surgeries, supporting Nidd Action Group’s Action Day at the Lido Leisure Park in Knaresborough and holding a roundtable with Harrogate-based cyclists to discuss local cycling infrastructure.

Others included meeting with representatives of the Women’s Institute to support their Clean Rivers campaign, meeting the Jewish Leadership Council, Food and Drink Federation and Macmillan Cancer Support and visiting the site of the local mental health crisis line to learn more about how calls are handled by TEWV NHS Foundation Trust.

Julian Smith, MP for Ripon and Skipton.

In Ripon, here is what we found on Mr Smith:

Mr Smith spoke three times in the House of Commons in September, two contributions were on Northern Ireland and another on paediatric acute-onset neuro- psychiatric syndrome.
He visited Fountains Abbey near Ripon to be given an update on its plans to renovate the site.
Mr Smith tweeted 14 times in September, which included to posts to promote various government grants and initiatives.
He updated his website six times in September, which included one item specific to Ripon.

Keir Mather, Selby and Ainsty MP.

In Selby and Ainsty, which includes rural south Harrogate, here is what we found on Mr Mather:

Mr Mather was sworn in as the new MP for Selby and Ainsty on September 4.
He made 20 written questions to government departments in September, including topics such as access to GPs, anti-social behaviour and gender based violence.
On September 1, Mr Mather tweeted that he met the chief executive of Yorkshire Housing, Nick Atkin, to discuss “how to win the race to net zero in North Yorkshire by investing in affordable and sustainable housing for all”.
Mr Mather tweeted six times in September, which included topics such as meeting with the National Farmers’ Union and being sworn into parliament.
He updated his Facebook page 11 times in September. Posts included SEND provision in Selby and sharing concerns over RAAC in schools.
Mr Mather has yet to give his maiden speech in the House of Commons.

Business Breakfast: Knaresborough company acquires local financial firm

The Stray Ferret Business Club’s next meeting is a breakfast event on Thursday, 26 October at Banyan in Harrogate between 8 am – 10 am.

The Business Club provides monthly opportunities to network, make new connections and hear local success stories. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

A Knaresborough company has completed the acquisition of a local financial firm.

Prosperis, which is based at St James’ Business Park, has acquired fellow Knaresborough business RMB Financial Management Ltd.

Niall Gunn, chief executive at Prosperis, said the move will help to benefit its clients.

He said:

“We are delighted to have been able to acquire such a high-quality business and, in doing so, allows us to continue to provide clients an excellent professional level of service for the foreseeable future.

“As an independently owned business, this acquisition will benefit greatly all clients. We are on track to add further locations within the north-east as we continue with our growth plans.”

Paul Meehan, chairman at Prosperis, added:

“These are exciting times for the whole Prosperis team and we remain very acquisitive.

“The purchase of the RMB business sets us up nicely as we now move to the next phase of the strategy to buy more firms. We expect to complete on another deal before the end of the year in addition to some additional senior hires.”

Former Harrogate bank building goes on the market

A former bank building in Harrogate has been placed on the market for offers over £1 million.

No7 Cambridge Crescent is a landmark listed building, which covers 6,000 square feet in the town centre.

No7 Cambridge Crescent in Harrogate.

Cambridge Crescent was built in 1867-8 by George Dawson to a design of J H Hirst of Bristol featuring enriched Flemish Renaissance frontage with the former banking premises suitable for retail, office and residential uses.

The property has been stripped out for ease of development with the ground floor former banking hall now open plan and a lower ground floor, previously the secure storage area, has had the safe removed.

Tim Waring, prime property at GSC Grays which is marketing the building, said:

“This is a unique opportunity to purchase a charming building in a fantastic central location in the famous spa town of Harrogate with potential for various development options.”

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A ‘short-sighted, ill-informed’ decision

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Former Harrogate bank building goes on the market

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