Council draws up North Yorkshire Combined Authority branding

Council officials have drawn up logos and designs for the new York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.

The combined authority, which will be headed by an elected mayor, is scheduled to be launched in November this year.

It will include councillors from North Yorkshire Council and City of York Council and make decisions on matters such as economic development and transport.

Officials have drawn up brand designs for the new council at a cost of £5,000.

The designs, which were developed in-house, include colours from each of the authorities including North Yorkshire Council, City of York Council, York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership and the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

A spokesperson for the council said that the designs were drawn up “in order to minimise spend and utilise existing assets as much as possible”.

They added:

“The branding was developed taking into account all of the partners existing logos and colour palettes, including for the LEP’s Growth Hub and Invest in York and North Yorkshire brands.

“This was in order to minimise spend and utilise existing assets as much as possible. An iterative process, working through a number of concepts led to the brand that was approved by the joint committee.”

The branding is expected to be included on social media, the authority website, posters and staff lanyards.

What is a combined authority?

A combined authority is a body set up for two or more councils to make joint decisions.

In this case, North Yorkshire Council and City of York Council would come together to make decisions on matters such as economic development and transport.

It will be a separate body to North Yorkshire Council and City of York Council.

The closest example of this is West Yorkshire Combined Authority, which recently has led on the £11.9 million Harrogate Station Gateway scheme, as well as similar schemes in Skipton and Selby.

The combined authority would be headed by a mayor who is directly elected by the public.

An election for the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire is set to be held in May 2024.

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Business Breakfast: Women in business networking group returns to Harrogate

A networking group aimed at business women in Harrogate is set to return this month.

Harrogate Ladies Who Latte was launched in February and has so far signed up 100 members.

Now, the group is set to return with a meeting at the Lilypad restaurant, King’s Road, at 9.30am on September 13.

The group is free to attend and is open to all women in employment or running their own business.

Business consultant Sarah Shaw, who founded Ladies Who Latte with Carol Beeley, said: 

“We’ve had an incredible response so far, and it’s wonderful to hear some of the fantastic outcomes from connections made in the group. 

“We can’t wait to get going again and would love to see new faces alongside our current members.”

For more information on the meeting, visit the Ladies Who Latte website here.

Rudding Park partners with Harrogate lighting company

Rudding Park has announced a partnership with a Harrogate-based lighting company ahead of the Christmas period.

The hotel and spa has partnered with Lights4fun to help enhance the estate with festive lighting and illuminations.

The company will set up a “Follow the Christmas Stars” experience, which will allow guests to discover stars adorning the trees and glistening golden rings during the night time.

Nicola Cook, head of marketing at Rudding Park, said; 

“We always strive to enhance our guest experience, so this year we are delighted to be collaborating with our friends at Lights4Fun whose talented creative team are helping illuminate a series of outdoor spaces to inspire magical and unforgettable moments.”

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Man jailed for raping women from Harrogate and Leeds

A man has been jailed for 14 years and nine months for raping women from Harrogate and Leeds.

The man, who was from south-east Leeds, also engaged in controlling and coercive behaviour with both victims.

The 30-year-old was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court on Monday after he pleaded guilty to the four offences on August 2.

The offences occurred several years ago, with extensive enquiries taking place to secure justice for the victims, whose identities are protected by law.

North Yorkshire Police and West Yorkshire Police conducted the investigation jointly.

Detective constable Nicky Wareham, from Harrogate CID, who led the investigation for the offences that happened in North Yorkshire, said:

“This case shows that convictions of this kind are achievable, and I encourage anyone to report sexual violence and controlling and coercive behaviour to the police and our partner agencies.

“Professional support and care are readily available. We are here to help you.”

Police name victims of fatal A61 crash near Ripon

The victims of a fatal crash on the A61 near Ripon have been named by police.

Daria Bartienieva, 35, her son, Ihor Bartienieva, aged 6, and Daria’s step-daughter, Anastasiia Bartienieva, 15, died after a three-vehicle crash that involved a double decker bus on Ripon Road near South Stainley at 2.20pm on Sunday (September 3).

It was the second fatal collision on the road between Ripon and Harrogate on consecutive weekends.

A North Yorkshire Police statement this afternoon added:

“All three were from Ukraine and living in Ripon, North Yorkshire, at the time of the collision.

“Our thoughts are with their family members in the UK and Ukraine at this time.”

Holy Trinity Church in Ripon was open this afternoon for people to say prayers and light candles for the victims of the crash.

The church said in a post online:

“A space has been created where people can sit quietly, light a candle and write in a condolence book.

“There will be someone available to pray with you if you would like this.

“If you do come please keep quiet at this sensitive time.”

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Wrexham FC considers appealing Harrogate striker transfer refusal

Wrexham FC is considering appealing an English Football League decision to reject the transfer of Harrogate Town striker Luke Armstrong.

Armstrong, 27, was due to join the League Two side as part of a deadline day deal on Friday (September 1).

The sum has not been disclosed but it was believed to have been in the region of £450,000, which would have been the most Harrogate have ever received for a player.

Town issued a press release announcing the deal but it later emerged the EFL had declined to approve the transfer because it said Wrexham had failed to submit paperwork on time.

The Welsh side has now said in a statement yesterday that it has requested “relevant information regarding a potential appeal against the decision”.

It said:

“Further to Saturday’s statement on the rejection of Luke Armstrong’s transfer registration, Wrexham AFC can confirm the club is still actively collating all the relevant information regarding a potential appeal against the decision.

“Late this afternoon we requested key information from the EFL, which we are informed we should receive tomorrow (Tuesday) morning.”

Armstrong has scored 31 goals in 106 appearances for Harrogate.

Wrexham have been on the lookout for a replacement for star striker Paul Mullin after he suffered a collapsed lung and four broken ribs during the club’s USA pre-season tour.

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Business Breakfast: Harrogate accounting firm rebrands

A Harrogate accounting and advisory firm has rebranded.

Saffery Champness, which has offices on North Park Road, will now be renamed Saffery.

The firm, which has 10 offices across the UK and Ireland, said the rebrand would help the company to grow.

Jonathan Davis, head of the Yorkshire practice at Saffery, said:

“This is a hugely exciting time for the firm and our team here in Yorkshire. Our new brand provides a platform for success and will help us to continue our trajectory of growth in the region. It follows a period of consistent growth in our client base and the development of our team.”

Growth hub to host business support session in Harrogate

York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub will host a free business support session in Harrogate this week.

The session will be held at Harrogate Co-Lab on King’s Road from 10am until 4pm on Wednesday, September 6.

The event will offer one-to-one consultations for businesses, expert advice and help with resources and programmes.

John Hartley from Forsta Projects in Harrogate said: 

“The drop-in sessions, and the Co-Lab workspace, help to bring the local business community together and it provides immediate access to a range of sources of support.

“Our goal was to make new connections and we’ve achieved that – we’ve met some great people.”

For more information on how to register for the event, visit the York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub website here.

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Council consults on new social housing plan for Harrogate district

A consultation on introducing a “choice-based” social housing system in the Harrogate district has been launched.

North Yorkshire Council is asking residents for their views on the proposal.

The plan comes as part of the authority’s move to introduce a single housing policy for the county.

From April 2025, the council must have a single policy and allocations scheme for North Yorkshire.

The initiative, which allows tenants to bid for homes advertised through the authority by housing associations, aims to give those on the waiting list more choice over where they live.

The authority set up its choice-based scheme, called North Yorkshire Home Choice, in 2011. However, it currently does not operate in the Harrogate district.

Cllr Simon Myers, the council’s executive councillor for housing, said:

“By creating a new social housing allocations policy we will create a single, unified social housing allocations scheme, which will be beneficial to all our tenants and applicants.

“However, it is important we get the views of our proposals for a new policy from all existing applicants on the current schemes, as well as our partners, and this consultation aims to do just that. We hope everyone will take part and attend the face-to-face sessions if they need more information.”

A consultation on the proposal will run until November 27.

You can have your say on the single housing policy here.

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Banana plant flowers at RHS Harlow Carr for first time

A banana plant has flowered at RHS Garden Harlow Carr in Harrogate for the first time.

Known as a Musa basjoo, the flower was planted at the gardens in 2019.

It started to flower this summer and stands at 15 feet with green, paddle-like leaves that can each grow up to three metres long.

Its creamy yellow flowers are often followed by yellowish-green fruit.

Russ Watkins, floral team leader at RHS Garden Harlow Carr said: 

“The plant originally came from the garden of one our horticulturists and was later brought to Harlow Carr where it has really thrived.

“The banana plants play a key role in the design of the sub tropicana garden at Harlow Carr, really adding to the jungle feel, transporting our visitors from Yorkshire to the tropics. We can’t wait to see how it develops over the coming weeks.”

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The flower is expected to open out more over the coming weeks.

The plant will then be carefully wrapped again in November, to ensure it stays cosy and protected throughout the winter.

Police release CCTV image after Bilton-in-Ainsty church theft

Police have issued a CCTV image of a man they wish to speak to after historic items were stolen from a church in Bilton-in-Ainsty.

Officers said the items have been located after the force issued an appeal to find them in July.

The artefacts have since been returned to their rightful owner.

Now, North Yorkshire Police has issued a CCTV image of a man they would look to speak to in connection with the incident.

A force statement added:

“Officers investigating the theft have also now issued CCTV stills of a man they would like to speak to, as he may have important information that could assist their ongoing enquiries.

“If you recognise him, or have any information about the theft, please email sophie.hodgson@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for PC 1787 Hodgson. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Please quote reference number 12230134302 when passing on information.”

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New Harrogate Leisure and Wellness Centre opens

The newly refurbished Harrogate Leisure and Wellness Centre opened its doors today after a £13.5 million project.

The facility, which was previously called the Harrogate Hydro, had been closed since April last year as part of a renovation scheme.

Now, the centre off Jennyfield Drive is open under a new name.

The refurbishment included a 400 square metre fitness centre, a new sauna and steam suite, improved reception and café, as well an overhaul of the existing gym, spin, leisure and swimming facilities.

Local man Alan Harwood was among those visiting the newly opened leisure centre this morning.

He told the Stray Ferret he had never been to the facility before, but took up one of the swimming membership offers advertised by Brimhams Active, which operates the site on behalf of North Yorkshire Council, as part of the opening.

Mr Harwood said:

“It looks good. I had never been to the Hydro before but wanted to try it out for swimming.”

The centre is open for swimming from 6.30am until 9pm Monday to Thursday, 6.30am until 8pm on a Friday and 6.30am until 7pm on a weekend.

Meanwhile, the gym will be open from 6.15am until 9.30pm Monday to Thursday, 6.15am until 7.30pm on a Friday and 6.15am until 6.30pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Prices include £5.45 for an adult swim, but there are also membership schemes available at £33.95 a month.

The centre also offers all inclusive memberships, which includes access to the gym, for £44.95 a month or £35.95 for concessions.

Mark Tweedie, managing director of Brimhams Active, said:

“There will be an increase to membership fees, but we are committed to keeping fees as low as possible and we have additional discounts for students, people who are unemployed, disabled or aged over 65.

“The increase delivers an all-inclusive membership fee with access to unlimited swim, gym and group exercise at all Brimhams facilities that remains lower than our 2021 prices, as we temporarily reduced prices upon reopening after covid.”