Julian Smith MP’s three extra jobs back in spotlight in Tory ‘sleaze’ row

Conservative MP for Skipton and Ripon Julian Smith is back in the spotlight for having three consultancy roles that earn him an extra £144,000 a year.

The Guardian reported today that MPs could be barred from holding consultancy positions.

It listed Mr Smith as the second highest paid of 30 MPs that would be affected by the move.

The news comes after the former Conservative MP Owen Paterson MP was found to have used his position to lobby the government on behalf of two companies that paid him.

The issue has reignited the debate over whether MPs should be allowed to hold external positions, and prompted allegations of sleaze.

As previously reported in the Stray Ferret, Mr Smith has three advisory roles outside of Parliament. They are in addition to his £81,932 annual salary as an MP.

All the roles were approved by the Advisory Committee of Business Appointments.

Mr Smith was Secretary of State for Northern Ireland from July 2019 to February 2020.

In August 2020 he began advising Ryse Hydrogen, whose chief executive Jo Bamford also owns Wrightbus, a Northern Ireland bus manufacturer. The contract is £60,000 for 20 hours of work.

He is also paid to work for 30 to 40 hours over 12 months for MJM Marine, a cruise ship refurbishment company based in County Down. This contract is also for £60,000.

In January 2021 he began another role, advising Cork-based sustainable energy and aquaculture company Simply Blue Management. He is paid £24,000 over a year for up to two hours work per month.

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Pat Marsh, the Liberal Democrat leader on Harrogate Borough Council, said Mr Smith should “rethink” his other jobs and added that MPs should be stopped from taking on other work.

She said:

“His job is being an MP. To take on a paid position is so wrong. 

“From a purely democratic position, when you’re elected that should be the major concern, not distracted with outside jobs.

Shan Oakes, co-ordinator for Harrogate & District Green Party, said she was “appalled” by the Owen Patterson affair.

Ms Oakes, who attended the Stray bonfire on Saturday night holding rubbish bags with ‘Tory Sleaze’ written on them. added:

“With Harrogate having lots of Tory voters we assumed we’d get a lot of flack but we had not one negative comment. People were saying ‘thank you’.

“The whole thing stinks. Once these mechanisms of democracy are meddled with like this then we’re on a real road to ruin.”

The Stray Ferret asked Mr Smith to comment but did not receive a response.

Christmas-themed bird box walk created for Pinewoods

A new Christmas-themed advent walk has been created in the Pinewoods, featuring decorated bird boxes for visitors to find.

Pinewoods Conservation Group, a charity that promotes the conservation of the woodlands, has teamed up with Ripon-based charity Jennyruth Workshops for the project. 

Jennyruth Workshops, which uses craft to help people with learning disabilities, has built and decorated 24 numbered bird boxes, plus a few extras. Each box will be displayed with a plaque showing the name of the worker who hand painted it.

Lucy Hind, who organised the event for the Pinewoods Conservation Group, said:

“We know residents and visitors alike continue to enjoy the Pinewoods, so we wanted to add some additional interest coming up to Christmas. These new bird boxes are a great addition and in line with our conservation efforts and gives us opportunity to support Jennyruth Workshop too.”

Nicky Newell, chief executive of Jennyruth Workshop, added:

“The Jennyruth Workshop team has really enjoyed being part of this project. The Christmas theme allowed our workers to be very creative with some amazing designs being produced.

“We really appreciate The Pinewoods for involving us and allowing us to showcase a small range of the products we produce and sell.”

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To help fund the event, Pinewoods Conservation Group is looking for 24 people, businesses, or organisations to sponsor a bird box at £20 each.

In January, following the event, supporters will be able to collect their bird box to keep or donate it to The Pinewoods to support their ongoing conservation efforts.

In Depth: Why Harrogate success story CNG ended in collapse

A sentence on CNG‘s website on Wednesday afternoon spelled the end of a company that for the majority of its 27 years was regarded as a Harrogate success story.

CNG had two business arms, supplying wholesale gas to around 20 energy providers as well gas to 41,000 small and medium-sized businesses, including several in the district.

But spiraling wholesale gas prices over the past few months meant CNG’s collapse was swift and unforgiving.

When was CNG founded?

CNG was founded by Colin Gaines following the deregulation of the gas industry in 1994.

The company began in a single office on the top floor of the Schlatter building on York Place but expanded to employ 145 staff with many in customer service and sales roles.

CNG president and former managing director Jacqui Hall told Insider Media in 2016 about the early days of the company:

“When we started we would knock on doors, word of mouth was critical. Lots of the staff used to work for British Gas and the clients were pubs and restaurants; independent businesses because we could make more margin.

“You could have easily built it on big contracts but if one went bust then the whole business would fall; the plan was lots of little, bigger-risk, bigger-margin clients – that was a strategic decision.”

Mr Gaines died in 2006 as did a second major shareholder within two days.

The company then had a number of partners including conglomerate Glencore, but in 2012, Ms Hall led a management buyout of the business.

CNG continued to expand and in 2014 moved from an office on Victoria Avenue into the former HM Revenue and Customs building on the other side of the road.

By 2016 it had posted revenue of £250 million — rising from £25 million in 2006.

CNG’s head office on Victoria Avenue

CNG was also synonymous with Harrogate Town football club, becoming the first-ever sponsor of their Wetherby Road ground from 2008 until 2020 when it was called the CNG Stadium.

The company was also well-known in Harrogate as a supporter of local charities and community projects. Garry Plant, Harrogate Town’s commercial director, told the Stray Ferret that the club was “deeply troubled” by their downfall.

He said:

“The club’s association with CNG was spread over many, many years and we are all deeply troubled by their demise.

“As a company they engaged in community projects across the district and they willingly gave a great deal back.

“We wish everyone at CNG the very best of fortune going forward.”

Timeline of CNG’s collapse

Why CNG failed

There has been a global squeeze on energy supplies with the price of gas rising by 250% since January.

This is, in part, due to a cold winter last year and increased demand from China.

CNG’s troubles became public on October 14 when Mr Stanley sent a letter to customers saying it was exiting the wholesale market.

The Stray Ferret understands the company was in talks with the government in an effort to save the business.

But the talks were to no avail. In a statement published this week after it ceased trading, Mr Stanley said the global energy crisis meant it could not continue trading.

The company had offered fixed-term tariffs to businesses over several years, but with wholesale prices rocketing it meant it had to pay the difference, which was ultimately unsustainable.

Mr Stanley said:

“The global energy crisis and extremely high wholesale energy costs have affected many suppliers already and unfortunately CNG is the next casualty. We have tried and exhausted all options to remain in business.”

Jamie Hailstone, former news editor of specialist energy website Utility Week, told the Stray Ferret that due to the current market crisis, it was inevitable that CNG would go out of business.

He said:

“CNG is the 19th business supplier to go out of business to September. The current crisis in the energy sector has been caused by the massive hike in prices, which has puts smaller suppliers like CNG under immense pressure, because they do not have the reserves of larger suppliers.

“It’s unlikely they will be the last casualty this Autumn, as the sector is bracing itself for more suppliers to go under.”

What happens next

CNG has now entered the Supplier of Last Resort process operated by the government’s energy regulator Ofgem.

The SoLR procedure was established by Ofgem as a safety net to ensure that when a company stops supplying energy, affected customers are guaranteed continuity of supply through other companies.

Administrators are expected to be appointed to wind up the company. All 145 jobs have been lost and staff have been told that wages for days worked this month are not guaranteed to be paid.

Businesses supplied by CNG also are unprotected by an £1,277 annual price cap, which is only for domestic consumers.

These business owners, including Grantham Arms landlord Simon Wade in Boroughbridge, will now be exposed to much higher gas bills.

He said last month:

“I’m facing a massive hike and it’s nothing to do with us.

“We’re completely shackled and it’s put us in a bad position”.

David Simister, chief executive, Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce told the Stray Ferret that the collapse of one of Harrogate’s best-known businesses is a “real blow” to the town.

“I feel incredibly sad for those 145 employees who have lost their jobs.

“Over the years, CNG, became one of the best-known business names in the district. It was a great supporter of local charities and a proud sponsor of Harrogate Town Football Club.

“It is the latest victim of the surge in wholesale energy costs, and more than likely it won’t be the last. For those firms who were supplied by CNG, they will now be contacted by a new supplier and placed on a new tariff, which I’m afraid to say will be higher than their previous agreement.”

Starbeck railway signaller carries on centuries old tradition

Network Rail signaller Ian Roberton is carrying on a Starbeck tradition that dates back to when Queen Victoria was on the throne.

The railway first came to Starbeck in 1848 and its signal box plays a crucial role in the safe and efficient running of each train on the York to Leeds via Harrogate line.

Signalling is a complex traffic light system for the railway. The levers at Starbeck operate a mix of mechanical and electrical colour light signals which tell the train driver when it’s safe to proceed and what route their train will take.

Mr Roberton communicates with neighbouring boxes at Harrogate and Knaresborough to make sure trains remain a safe distance apart.

He also controls the barriers that stop cars from crossing whilst trains leave and enter the station.

The signaller uses a wide array of mechanical levers to communicate.

A traditional signal box

The Starbeck box is as traditional as a signal box can come. Mr Roberton pulls cast-iron levers that connect through a cable to the track.

With as many as nine trains passing through the station each hour, he’s busier than you might think.

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Mr Roberton, who is 40, began working for Network Rail at Starbeck in February this year after working in aviation. He is one of three signallers that work in the box and he works a combination of mornings and afternoons.

He was surprised at how complex and technical the job is.

“I had a wake-up call. You’re marrying technology that’s 100 years’ old with newer innovations.”

Whilst the Starbeck crossing can be the bane of motorists who are hurrying up and down Knaresborough Road, Mr Roberton emphasised its importance in keeping people safe.

He said he’s seen a few frustrated car drivers beep their horns at him but “it’s part of the job.”

Emergency situation

There was a recent emergency when a tree had fallen on the track towards York.

Mr Roberton was forced to stop the whole line until the tree was safely removed. He said seeing a situation to a safe conclusion is one of the most satisfying parts of the job.

“It emphasised whilst efficiency is important, safety is absolutely critical. It’s not just corporate spiel, safety is the number one mantra for Network Rail.”

The signaller’s view of Starbeck.

Being a signaller might be a dream job for a trainspotter, but Mr Roberton said he enjoys the technical aspect of it most of all.

“My dad used to work for the railways. He has a train set at home! And there are some diehards with a traditional veiwpoint about the railway.

“Most people either love trains or think they are always late. The truth is the railway has been the backbone of our country for two centuries.”

Despite technology replacing the need for some signal boxes, Mr Roberton believes there will always be a need for a signaller at the Starbeck crossing to think quickly in times of emergency.

Leadhall Lane in Harrogate to close for two weeks

Leadhall Lane in Harrogate will close for two weeks later this month for resurfacing.

The works will begin on Thursday, November 11, until Wednesday, November 24, and will take place between 7.30am and 5.30pm.

North Yorkshire County Council is set to close the road in order to carry out resurfacing work.

The road connects Leeds Road with Burn Bridge and Pannal and is currently in a poor state of repair due to potholes.

Residents have been warned there may be periods when vehicle access will not be possible but pedestrian access will be maintained.

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132 positive covid cases in Harrogate district

The Harrogate district has reported 132 cases of covid, according to Public Health England figures.

The district’s average now stands at 601 per 100,000 people, which remains the highest in North Yorkshire.

Across the county, the average rate is 505 and the England average is 400.

No further deaths from patients who tested positive for coronavirus have been recorded at Harrogate District Hospital, according to NHS England figures.

However, the hospital was treating 25 covid patients as of Monday — a rise from 19 on last week.

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Meanwhile, Harrogate & Knaresborough Conservative MP Andrew Jones has questioned why school vaccinations in Harrogate are not likely to happen until February.

The Stray Ferret reported last month that the rollout of covid jabs to 12 to 15-year-old pupils in Harrogate schools has been delayed, after the government initially said all children in that age group would be offered jabs by October half-term.

Speaking in the House of Commons yesterday, Mr Jones said vaccinating children five months later in February would be “too late”.

Two arrests made in Bilton after power tools theft

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of theft after power tools were stolen in Bilton overnight.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said officers visited the area after a member of the public contacted them to report two men carrying a box full of items at around 1am.

After searching the area, officers found the men who were both aged in their 50s and from West Yorkshire.

A box containing a variety of power tools was recovered nearby. Both men were arrested on suspicion of theft.

They remain in custody while enquiries continue.

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Andrew Jones MP queries delay of covid vaccinations in schools

Harrogate & Knaresborough Conservative MP Andrew Jones has questioned why school vaccinations in Harrogate are not likely to happen until February.

The Stray Ferret reported last month that the rollout of covid jabs to 12 to 15-year-old pupils in Harrogate schools has been delayed, after the government initially said all children in that age group would be offered jabs by October half-term.

Speaking in the House of Commons yesterday, Mr Jones said vaccinating children five months later in February would be “too late”.

He said:

“I am hearing mixed messages about what is happening in schools. The CCG has told me that they should be eligible for visits by the end of this month, but some schools have been reporting that they are not looking at visits until January or February next year by which stage, of course, it is too late.”

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Mr Jones also asked if there is a problem with the supply of vaccines in the Harrogate district. He said the nearest walk-in centre for residents is 17 miles away in Halifax.

NHS officials have said they are unable to open any walk-in covid vaccination centres in Harrogate because clinics are already running at capacity.

Mr Jones said:

“If I look at the website on the location of walk-in centres and tap in Harrogate, it brings up five locations in Halifax, which is about 17 miles away. Are there any problems with vaccine supply, or are we having some difficulties in North Yorkshire at the moment?”

In response, Department for Health junior minister Maggie Thorpe MP said “there is no problem at all with the supply of vaccines”.

“I can reassure my hon. Friend that there is no problem at all with the supply of vaccines; we have plenty of supply. He talks about schools. The vaccine programme in schools is being carried out by the school-aged immunisation service, which is very experienced in carrying out vaccinations for different conditions in schools. If there is a problem in his area, I will definitely look into it on his behalf.”

Harrogate’s ‘Toytropolis’ garden bringing smiles to children’s faces

Harrogate man Paul Ivison has created “Toytropolis” — a garden resplendent with 200 toys, including Scooby-Doo, Batman and Peppa Pig.

Mr Ivison has lived in his house on Mayfield Terrace for 15 years and each year decorates his garden with different themes. When the Stray Ferret visited in the summer, he had created a loud and proud mental health-themed garden, which raised £137 for Mind.

For winter, he’s been bargain hunting on Facebook marketplace to buy toys to make children and their parents smile.

He hopes to raise £500 for North Yorkshire Horizons, a county-wide drug and alcohol addiction service that he has previously worked for. Visitors can leave donations in a box by the gate.

Mr Ivison said:

“Things snowballed and I was buying up toys left right and centre. I got three Bat caves for a tenner.

“It’s my usual problem though — I don’t stop!”

He said the response from children and parents makes him feel good and helps with his own mental health.

“A couple of children saw Peppa Pig and were ecstatic.”

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He’s had a problem with thieves visiting the garden. One tried to pinch a toy elephant, but thankfully its feet were attached to the ground with super-strength glue.

Mr Ivision will soon be adding six Christmas trees to the garden and Toytropolis will stay until the second week of January.

He added:

“Someone asked me, what are you going to do to top this? But I’m sure I’ll think of something!”

You can visit Toytropolis on the corner of Mayfield Grove and Mayfield Terrace.

Harrogate Library to launch Lego club for children with autism and disabilities

Pride in Diversity is helping Harrogate Library set up a Lego club for children with autism and disabilities and it is asking the public to donate Lego.

Lego has been found to be beneficial to children on the autism spectrum as it can help them build an interest in something they can share with their other children.

Lego that is either new in a box or sets that have been used can be donated. For used sets, they need to be complete and include the instructions.

Lego can be dropped off at the library on Victoria Avenue with a note for ‘Laura Hellfeld, Pride in Diversity’. 

Ms Hellfield said:

“I have been now working with the staff at Harrogate Library for a few years in creating inclusive events. The staff have always been kind and welcoming and very keen to increase programmes that benefit everyone in Harrogate.”

The Lego club will likely be starting in the new school term after Christmas.

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