Harrogate Borough Council is to ask residents about a proposed cycle route on the Otley road as it will take up part of the Stray.

The council has to seek the public’s opinion as the proposed new cycle route needs to use land that is legally designated as Stray land.  It also wants views on whether to amend a Stray Byelaw to allow cycling on the proposed Otley Road route.

Under the Stray Act any land taken from the Stray has to be given back elsewhere; be no more than 100 metres from the Stray and be ‘equally advantageous’ to residents.

The three options that have been proposed for the land swap are Wetherby Road (behind the hospital), St James Drive verges or Arthurs Avenue verges.

The council says it is working with North Yorkshire County Council to improve transport infrastructure in the west of Harrogate.

Read More: 

•  Land identified to be designated Stray in exchange for cycle routes
• Extra £1m bid of Harrogate cycle and walk ways

The Stray Defence Association has previously expressed concern about the areas proposed for the land swap questioning the value to the public of verges along Arthurs Avenue and St James Drive becoming Stray land.

Councillor Phil Ireland, Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet member for sustainability, said:

“In order for a new, safe, segregated cycleway to be implemented on the verges of Otley Road we need to hear people’s views on the exchange land options and byelaw amendments.

“We believe we have identified three suitable options to offer as exchange land and I’d urge residents to share their views.”

The council says comments on these proposals can be given online at: www.harrogate.gov.uk/haveyoursay by Monday 9 November.

This article is written for the Stray Ferret by Harrogate employment lawyer Richard Port. Richard is Principal Solicitor and Founding Director at Boardside legal. In a series of articles, he explores the issues raised for employers and employees returning to work post furlough. This article is not legal advice – more a look at the complexities of the current situation. 

This week Richard looks at what to do if you lose your job: 

So, in recent weeks, I have written about necessary considerations for employees returning to work following the easing of lockdown. In this third article, we now look at the issue of restructurings and, sadly, the prospect of redundancies in the context of COVID-19.

Unfortunately, as the lockdown restrictions ease and employers slowly return to more ’normal’ ways of working, it is clear to us from instructions being received that the impact of the coronavirus means some businesses will have to seriously consider restructuring and the inevitable consequential risk of redundancies in order to survive.

The government’s furlough scheme has enabled employers to receive compensation from the government for certain employment costs. That scheme has been subject to amendment on a number of occasions, including by now allowing employers to take advantage of part-time furloughing. However, the scheme will end in its entirety on 31October 2020.

The fact that an employer has furloughed staff does not prevent that employer from dismissing employees on grounds of redundancy. However, the existence of the furlough scheme until 31 October means that employees could well challenge the need for redundancies. However, such a challenge may carry less force from 1 August from which date employers will be expected to shoulder more of the financial burden of the furlough scheme themselves.

Where a company is proposing redundancies in relation to any roles held by furloughed staff, it needs to ensure that the process is carried out fairly, thereby reducing the risk of tribunal litigation. Of course, such steps will include meaningful consultation, in line with legal obligations, taking into account staff may be working remotely.

In terms of consultation, it is clear from the guidance in relation to the furlough scheme that employee representatives can still act without being considered to be “working” but employers will be well advised to bear in mind the following:

• if there is an established means of communicating with staff who are absent organisation (e.g. whilst on authorised leave including secondment), then can that be used in these circumstances?
• What is the best way to convey relevant information, bearing in mind the employees’ access to IT?
• Is it possible/appropriate for certain meetings to take place remotely? Or, if they are to take place in person, can adequate social distancing measures be put in place?
• How is confidentiality to be maintained?
• is the consultation time framework adequate, bearing in mind the potential use of video technology?
• The employer shall acknowledge that the process may be more stressful than normal given the unusual circumstances, and look to provide appropriate support accordingly.

These are hard times for everyone, but it is important that employers plan their restructuring processes carefully, to support employees as best they can thereby to reduce the risk of future litigation.

Redundancy exercises are stressful but, conducted sensitively with effective communication and proper consultation that take into account guidelines and measures to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, are key.

Read More: 

• COLUMN: Can you employer force you to return to work? 
• COLUMN: Can you force and employee back to work? 

Harrogate Town has cancelled a party it had organised for fans to watch tomorrow’s promotion final at the CNG Stadium.  Town travel to Wembley tomorrow for the first time in the team’s history as the players bid to enter the Football League.

Fans though are not allowed to attend the big game due to coronavirus . So the club had set up the ticketed event at the Harrogate stadium.

Now it seems new advice means the fans will have to find somewhere else to watch the historic game.

A statement on the Club’s website said:

Following the latest guidelines issued by central Government we have been contacted by North Yorkshire County Council Public Health who have strongly advised that it would be preferable that our Promotion Final watch party event be cancelled.In light of the latest guidelines, the advice from Public Health and the statutory rights available to Public Health to stop the event we have very little choice but to cancel the event.Full refunds will be processed next week for anyone who has purchased a bubble.

Please accept our sincere apologies for these unfortunate circumstances which are completely beyond our control.

We must act on the advice of Public Health and in the best interests of everyone involved, supporters and staff.

Read More:

• The 10 years that changed Harrogate Town’s fortunes
• The fans talk of their pride as the team prepares for the big game tomorrow

Below is a list of bars and venues in Harrogate that are showing the game live, which will be broadcast on BT Sport at 3pm.

The Harrogate Arms, Parliament Street (online bookings only)

Bilton Working Men’s Club, Skipton Road (non-members welcome)

Manhatten Snooker Club, Beech Avenue (non-members welcome)

Mojo, Parliament Street (online bookings only)

Prince of Wales, Starbeck High Street

Harlow Hill Sports and Social Club, College Street 

Bilton Cricket Club, Bilton Lane

The Woodlands Hotel, Wetherby Road

The following pubs are showing the game but are already fully booked:

The Alexandra, West Park

The Last Post, Cold Bath Road 

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For the 11th consecutive day the NHS has recorded no coronavirus deaths at Harrogate District Hospital.

The total number of people who have died of the virus at the hospital stands at 82.

Read More:

• Why the district’s MPs should act on principle when it comes to protecting the NHS
• WATCH: what do people in Harrogate think about wearing masks in shops?

A further 9 people, who tested positive for the coronavirus have died, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 29,281.

Patients were aged between 36 and 89 years old. All had known underlying health conditions.

Today’s figures showed there was only one recorded death in the Yorkshire and North East region with none in the Harrogate district.  The total number of deaths at Harrogate District Hospital of patients with coronavirus is 82 — this is the 10th consecutive day without a reported fatality.

A further 25 people, who tested positive for coronavirus have died, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 29,272.

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• Police say fines are a last minute resort for not wearing a face covering 
• Police Federation say face coverings are impossible to enforce

Patients were aged between 52 and 93 years old. All had known underlying health conditions.

This article is written for the Stray Ferret by Harrogate employment lawyer Richard Port. Richard is Principal Solicitor and Founding Director at Boardside legal. Over the next 3 weeks he will explore the issues raised for employers and employees returning to work post furlough. This article is not legal advice – more a look at the complexities of the current situation. 

Recent government announcements have suggested that the current furlough guidance might shortly be changed and that those who can go back to work safely should now do so. It is worth noting that it is currently a criminal offence for a person to go to work, when such work can reasonably be done from home.

However, if the changes are made, I’m sure that many people will want to return to work straightaway, but there will be many who do not. Indeed, I have dealt with a number of company clients in the last few weeks who are having to grapple with the conflict between ending furlough and dealing with reluctant returners: in my case a food production business (ABC Ltd) and the reluctant ‘Fred’.

First and foremost, the place of work needs to be covid safe, to reduce the potential for transmission as much as possible. This means providing adequate PPE and having a robust hygiene system in place, and compliance with social distancing rules.

Imagine that ABC Ltd has done it all; it is the paragon of compliance and hygiene. Nonetheless, despite his employer being an essential service, Fred is reluctant: he is worried, claiming that he has a ‘new’ medical condition (understood to be asthma) for which he must take steroids. Fred considers himself to be clinically vulnerable, though he does not have any form of medical certificate signing him off work. ABC Ltd has kept in touch with Fred during furlough and is now asking him to return to work. Sometimes getting hold of Fred has been quite difficult, despite being “house-bound”. We understand that Fred enjoys his golf.

Of course, there will be a wide variety of reasons (supported by various legal protections) why employees may be reluctant to return to work which should be taken seriously. In other cases, like Fred, employees may have no good reason for refusing. Leaving this aside, what options does ABC Ltd have in relation to Fred? As difficult as it might be, ABC Ltd needs to tread carefully. Employers should work on a case-by-case basis and ensure that they have carried out thorough risk assessments and implemented relevant covid safety measures.

Ultimately, ABC Ltd may seek to stop paying Fred in the circumstances, or even to dismiss him, but both of these courses of action for refusing to return to work are fraught with danger and could lead to employment tribunal claims being raised, particularly if the employer’s health and safety processes are short of what is reasonably practical to put in place.

It is a complicated subject, but my experience is that many organisations are now reviewing their working practices and looking at ways to create a more adaptive, innovative and resilient workforce. If ABC Ltd gets this right, it will ensure its long-term viability and the health and well-being of its workforce, with better morale and higher productivity.

Next week, Richard looks at the rights of the employee and looks at the case of Fred.

News of this latest reported death on July 15th comes after eleven consecutive days without any coronavirus fatalities at the Hospital. It brings the total number of coronavirus deaths at the hospital to 82.

A further 8 people, who tested positive for the coronavirus have died in England, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals to 29,181. 2 of those patients were from Yorkshire and the North East.

The hospital trust said on Thursday that it had discharged a further two patients, taking the total up to 141.

Read more:

• New North Yorkshire coronavirus cases ‘remain low’
• Government should pay compensation for HCC Nightingale extension

Patients were aged between 61 and 91 years old.   All patients had known underlying health conditions.

Harrogate District Hospital has reported no new coronavirus deaths for 11 days, according to the latest NHS figures.

It means the total number of deaths of patients who tested positive for coronavirus at the hospital remains at 81.

Meanwhile, the hospital trust discharged a further two patients this week, taking the total up to 141.

Read more:

• New North Yorkshire coronavirus cases ‘remain low’
• Government should pay compensation for HCC Nightingale extension

A further 13 people who tested positive for coronavirus have died in England’s hospitals. 2 were in the Yorkshire and North East region.

Patients were aged between 49 and 96 years old. All patients had known underlying health conditions.

It means the death toll from coronavirus nationally has increased to 29,173.

Extinction Rebellion Harrogate picked the Prince of Wales roundabout today to hold a demonstration highlighting the climate emergency.

The group told The Stray Ferret it had chosen the location as it wanted “somewhere striking” to draw attention to its cause and to re-ignite the group after lockdown.

It is hoping the demo will lead to more people wanting to join its ranks. Drivers blew their horns as they passed the group of around 20 demonstrators.

Read More:

• Extinction Rebellion Harrogate says it will hold regular cycle rallies
• Bilton homes will be “catastrophic” to the environment claim residents

Questioned as to whether the demonstration was safe or could have been distracting to drivers, Jess Thompson, coordinator for Extinction Rebellion Harrogate’s action group said:

“Our intention isn’t to distract drivers- we know safety is paramount. The banners were large and so drivers could easily see our messages. We want to highlight that time is up – we are living in a real emergency and we demand action.”

Ms Thompson told the Stray Ferret that the police had spoken to them and asked them how many were expected and how long they were staying there but took no action to stop them demonstrating.