North Yorkshire Police has issued a drugs warning after an officer found “an awful lot of” laughing gas canisters on the Stray.

It comes after hundreds gathered on the Stray yesterday in what some described as a festival atmosphere.

Inspector Paul Cording was out on the Stray at 4.30am when he found, among the beer bottles and takeaway boxes, gas canisters.

That discovery has led to a warning from the police directly to young people and their parents.

Read more:

• What happened on the Stray last night?
• When a group of young men won praise for cleaning up rubbish on the Stray
• A police appeal for information after a man exposed himself on the Stray

Speaking about the dangers of inhaling the gas, Sergeant Heidi Lewis, children & young people engagement officer, said:

“People may believe that because this gas is widely available and easily purchased, that it is harmless. However, inhaling this gas can lead to unconsciousness and ultimately suffocation, as the body is essentially starved of oxygen. So when you know the risks irresponsible use of this gas poses, it’s not so much of a laugh is it?”

The ‘Talk to Frank’ website has more information about the risks of inhaling gas canisters. Find it by clicking or tapping here.

Hundreds of young people gathered on the Stray in the sunshine yesterday evening in what some described as a festival atmosphere.

A volunteer who has cleaned the Stray for the last six years described the aftermath this morning as the worst he ever has seen.

His comments came as council workers and volunteers cleaned up the majority of the mess – something which they have been forced to do more regularly in recent weeks.

In amongst the bin bags are empty beer bottles, takeaway boxes, and laughing gas canisters. The grass is also scorched in some areas and there were reports of people using the Stray as a public lavatory.

Beer bottles and empty takeaway boxes.

The Stray Ferret found remnants of waste this morning and spoke to disgruntled locals.

Mike Lewis said that last night’s events have put him off going for his evening strolls on the Stray. He said this morning:

“It’s just vile to see. I don’t have a problem with these young people enjoying themselves but when they leave all of this it is poor. I have been cleaning up the Stray for six years but this is the worst I have ever seen. This is outrageous.”

Read more:

• Why Harrogate council cut down trees on the Stray
• When a group of young men won praise for cleaning up rubbish on the Stray
• A police appeal for information after a man exposed himself on the Stray

He described it as a losing battle and called for tougher punishments for offenders. Those calls are something the Stray Defence Association (SDA) is backing.

There are still remnants from the night before.

Judy d’Arcy Thompson, who is chair of the SDA, told The Stray Ferret:

“Several public spirited people have helped by collecting litter. Sadly, those efforts are swamped by the avalanche of rubbish others leave. It is disgraceful. We are doing our very best to get those in authority to deal with it.”

Roger Hattam was on the Stray last night and took pictures of large groups. He told The Stray Ferret:

“I understand that these are young people trying to have a good time. We just need the council and the police to monitor the situation and talk to them. We need to make sure they aren’t spreading coronavirus to any elderly relatives.”

What are the authorities doing about it?

Harrogate Borough Council has issued a robust response to the litter this morning and labelled those responsible as selfish.

“Unfortunately these people don’t even bother to use any of the many bins provided and just leave rubbish where they were sitting. We are doing what we can with the resources available and have increased our collections to try and manage the problem.”

The council also said that it already spends hundreds of thousands of taxpayers’ money every year to pick up litter.

Early morning rant alert. Part 2 of 2. #Litter #Drugs #TalkToFrank #BrokenWindowTheory #Respect #TakeYourLitterHome #RantOver pic.twitter.com/PaCDuK6ana

— Sgt Paul Cording BEM (@OscarRomeo1268) June 25, 2020

North Yorkshire Police inspector Paul Cording was out on the Stray at 4.30am today. He posted a video on Twitter where he described it as “the morning after the night before”.

“It is absolutely strewn with litter. There’s even some clear plastic zip bags and an awful lot of laughing gas canisters. The other thing I would describe is broken window theory. If one person thinks it’s okay to drop litter then everyone else will as well.”

Harrogate Borough Council bosses have said setting an emergency budget is not considered necessary at this time, despite the authority facing a £15 million shortfall due to coronavirus.

Council officials have outlined a financial recovery plan as part of the authority’s response to loss of income as a result of the pandemic.

It comes as councils across the UK are warning that some may have to issue section 114 notices – an emergency measure in dire financial circumstances – and potentially cut services to deal with the financial gaps.

Read more:

• Harrogate Council faces £15 million coronavirus shortfall
• Major Harrogate housing scheme blocked for second time
• Council ends rent free period for commercial tenants

Meanwhile, Leeds City Council recently warned that it faces £200 million costs amid the pandemic. Leader of the council, Judith Blake, said the authority may have to cut vital services in order to balance its books.

But, the borough council has said that any section 114 notice or mid-term budget is not necessary and it will monitor the situation.

Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet will meet virtually again next week to discuss its financial recovery plan.

In a report due before a cabinet meeting next week, Wallace Sampson, chief executive of the authority, will say that the council will review its 2020/21 budget and reserves as part of its recovery plan. It says:

“Across local government some councils are having to consider whether to produce a new mid-year budget or to issue a section 114 notice in the event that resources are unlikely to be sufficient to meet expenditure.

“However, at this time it is considered that neither of these actions are necessary, although the situation will be regularly monitored.”

The authority faces a £15 million shortfall due to loss of income on such things as leisure and car parking. A grant of £1.65 million was granted to the council by government to help with cash flow.

In an effort to tackle the deficit, senior officers at the authority have outlined a financial recovery plan which will go before senior councillors.

As part of the plan, council bosses will review the authority’s 2020/21 budget, reserves, investment plans and capital expenditure including borrowing.

Officers are expected to report more on the council’s financial position once the reviews are complete.

Meanwhile, the authority has already frozen all but essential spending and implemented a recruitment freeze on all but critical services.

It comes as both the district council and the county council face a combined deficit of around £57 million due to the pandemic.

What is a section 114 notice?

A section 114 notice means that a local council cannot set a balanced budget and new expenditure is banned.

Once a notice is served by the council’s chief finance officer, councillors and senior officials have 21 days to come up with a new budget to balance its books.

In 2018, Northamptonshire County Council was forced to serve two section 114 notices as it failed to tackle its spiralling spending which resulted in an estimated £70 million deficit. The council will now be scrapped in April 2021 and replaced with two unitary authorities.

A district councillor who has championed the cause of market traders is calling on Harrogate Borough Council to treat them fairly, in the wake of lockdown losses.

Independent Ripon Councillor Pauline McHardy, pictured above, with market trader Mike Finan (centre) and his son Will, told The Stray Ferret:

“For hundreds of years, the markets in Ripon and Knaresborough have made a major contribution to their local economy, by providing an important service for shoppers and bringing additional footfall that benefits other retailers, cafes, pubs and restaurants – but they appear to be undervalued by the local authority.”

The three-time Mayor of Ripon, who supported the ‘Love Your Local Market’ campaign set up in 2012 to fight for the future of markets across the UK, added:

“I have been speaking with non-food traders who have been coming here for years and they feel that, while other parts of the business community have been given proactive support from the council, in terms of advice and financial assistance, they have been left to sink or swim.”

Campaigners have called for traders at Ripon and Knaresborough markets to be given more support

HBC has given a three-month rent break to all commercial tenants in its premises, at a cost of £200,000 to the authority.

Cllr McHardy added:

“Other local authority areas in Yorkshire, including Hambleton, Craven, Leeds and Ryedale, have helped traders with either rent-free periods or reduced rents. However, following 11 weeks in which they were unable to earn any money, they found themselves having to pay full rents in Ripon and Knaresborough. It’s time for Harrogate Borough Council to start treating them fairly.”

Stallholder Mike Finan, whose family has sold women’s clothing on Ripon Market for more than 50 years, said:

“It has been really tough having weeks with no money coming in. When we returned to the markets at Thirsk and Northallerton, we were helped by the fact that rents have been reduced by 50 percent for June, but Harrogate has given us nothing.”

Steve Teggin, president of Knaresborough Chamber of Trade, said:

“The value of these traders to our communities can be seen week in, week out, as market day is a magnet that attracts much-needed business to our town centre. They deserve more help.”

Read more:

• Lightwater Valley prepares to re-open
• Ripon housing development refused

Traders selling goods classed by the government as non-essential, did not have to pay rent during the weeks when they have been unable to stand, but food stall holders trading at scaled-down markets during the lockdown, were charged full rents.

Brian Murphy whose family has sold fruit and vegetables at Ripon Market for more than 100 years, said:

“At Otley, we have not been charged any rent during the coronavirus crisis and that continues, but we have had zero financial help from Harrogate.”

When approached for comment on the continuing concerns raised by stall holders, Harrogate Borough Council reiterated a previous statement in which it said:

“Where we have charged, fees have been held at last year’s rates. It’s disappointing to hear that one or two traders feel we’ve not been supportive. We’ve done all we can to ensure our markets can fully re-open safely and to enable traders to get back to business as usual.”

Playgrounds are set to reopen from 4 July delighting many parents and guardians in the district.

The sunny weather has brought many people out into the parks to enjoy the outdoors and from next month the playgrounds will also be open for children to enjoy.

One parent told The Stray Ferret:

“Its really hard to keep telling them that everything is closed so it’ll be nice to have a bit of normality back”.

Read more:

• Harrogate Brigantes Rotary have launched a children’s poetry competition to raise money for their covid relief fund. 
• WATCH as the grandparents meet their grandchild for the first time since lockdown began. 

But not all were in agreement, some parents are still worried about how these places can be kept clean:

“I’m a little nervous just because of all the touching and the kids in close quarters, I don’t know if they’re going to be cleaning it regularly.”

Harrogate parents were pleased with the announcement that playgrounds could reopen but still hoped safety measures would be put in place.

The announcement is a welcome relief for parents and guardians who have had children waiting to be allowed to use their local parks.

Harrogate Borough Council has said it’s looking at plans to open the facilities and more information will be released soon.

ODEON has announced its Harrogate cinema will reopen on 16 July with tickets going on sale online today.

Customers can expect to buy tickets for classic films such as 1914, Empire Strikes Back and The Greatest Showman. New releases will begin by the end of July.

The new ‘ODEON safer experience’ will be a little different to what film-lovers are used to. It will be a contactless experience with the usual boxes of popcorn being replaced by pre-packaged options. The new grab and go range will also limit customers to bottled drinks.

Family groups and social bubbles will be allowed to sit next together, but between separate customers there will be an unoccupied seat. Staggered show times will also limit the chance of long queues.

Staff will be trained on the new safety measures and equipped with masks and gloves.

Screens on the counters and markings on the floors will become the new normal for ODEON customers.

Read more:

• Safety measures could see waiters wearing masks and visors in Harrogate’s restaurants. 
• Hotel staff are being re-trained to make sure everywhere is covid secure for the planned reopening on 4 July. 

Carol Welch, Managing Director for UK and Ireland, said:

“We are excited to confirm that from 4 July, our UK cinemas will begin reopening. We’ve carefully planned every step of our guest journey and put safety measures in place to provide a controlled and safer cinema experience.

“New measures include social distancing in our auditoriums and foyers, additional cleaning regimes, and a request to book tickets online prior to arrival.”

A Harrogate retailer has threatened to rip up pavement widening cones that cut off parking on West Park.

North Yorkshire County Council put up the cones this morning to encourage social distancing on West Park and Royale Parade in Harrogate.

It has not gone down well with the majority of business owners on the street. Many told The Stray Ferret that the road is wide enough already.

Read more:

• When the council introduced pavement widening
• Why the county council wants pavement widening

Georgie Roberts owns women’s clothing store Georgie’s and was one of many businesses that found the cones this morning. She said:

“I am sick of the council. I will move the cones myself. I don’t care. It would be very nice to get a letter from the council to explain the plans. I am absolutely furious. We have got very wide pavements on West Park.”

Lisa Hawksworth is the manager of 27 West Park Antiques added:

“I can understand we’re trying to protect people but we are moving down to one metre. So the priority should be getting people back into the town to use the parking that is already there. It shocked me.”

The parking has been cut off on West Park.

It is not clear how long the cones will be up for. On other streets in Harrogate, they will be there until September.

When Brian Marshall, the owner of the Luxe Company, saw the cones he immediately sent a complaint to the council.

“This is farcical. The pavement is wide enough out there. We do not need this, why are they doing it now they are relaxing the social distancing rules? It’s ridiculous.”

Sally Monkman owns Boho Chic and echoed complaints about the council’s communication with businesses. She said:

“I had no idea that this was happening. They are killing the shops with this. It’s very difficult because they are not providing a different parking solution.”

The issue of pedestrianisation seems to divide the hospitality sector and the retail sector.

Andrew Jones, Conservative MP for Harrogate, said in the House of Commons yesterday afternoon that he supported using outdoor space for hospitality and added that jobs in the district “depended on it.”

James Street, which has already seen its pavements widened, has been earmarked for pedestrianisation.

Mike Jarvis, the manager of COOK Harrogate, was more welcoming of the measures. He told The Stray Ferret that there is enough parking around the area.

“I am not particuarly worried about it. I presume it’s a short term measure, it’s not the end of the world.”

Siobhan Dodds, the assistant manager at Arlo & Jacob, said:

“I think all of the parking at the front can actually put people off because it can look quite hectic. We are just finding the new normal, it could be a positive thing.”

Burglars made off in a BMW with a first aid kit, a box of face masks and two sets of handmade doctor’s scrubs from a home in south Harrogate.

The Westbourne Avenue home was targeted between midnight and 6.45am on Saturday, June 20, when thieves broke in and took the keys for the grey BMW 220 D, which was on the driveway.

The car was recovered later that day after crashing and being abandoned on the way to Wetherby. However, items from inside the car were stolen.

As well as the face masks, scrubs and first aid kit, they included a child’s car seat, Ray-Ban sunglasses and a make-up bag. A personalised thermometer was also stolen from a doctor’s bag, but the bag was left outside the house.

Read more:

• ‘Outrageous’ series of bike thefts investigated at Harrogate Hospital
• Three arrested after cars stolen in Harrogate

North Yorkshire Police is appealing for witnesses and information from the public aboutt he “two-in-one” burglary. A spokesman said:

“In particular, [we] are appealing for information about any suspicious people or vehicles seen in the area, and any CCTV or dash-cam or doorbell footage taken in the area at the time of the offence.

“[We] would also like to hear from anyone who has seen or been offered any of the stolen items for sale under suspicious circumstances.

After almost 4 months of closure, Harrogate’s hospitality industry welcomes the government’s decision to reduce the two-metre social distancing rule.

The West Park Hotel in Harrogate, is one of those now getting ready to re-open its doors on July 4.

Anthony Blundell, Assistant General Manager and Harrogate resident told the Stray Ferret that a relaxation of the 2m rule was a ‘vital’ part of being able to re-open.

” It’s really exciting news… at 2m we could only run at 30% capacity but at 1m its about 70%… We are looking at starting some training next week so all our staff are on board with how we will work, making sure we are covid secure. We are doing a lot of refurbishments so fingers crossed it will all be ready for the 4th… We are really looking forward to welcoming our guests back.

“QR codes so people can order from their mobiles, sanitizing stations at the entrance way and key touch points, and masks or visors for members of staff, are just some of the measures we will be putting in place… we hope people feel safe but welcome.

Boris Johnson announced yesterday that pubs bars, restaurants and hotels would be able to re-open but only with table service if indoors and increased cleaning procedures. Owners will also be asked to keep contact details of customers to help with contact tracing.

Developers have been asked to “go away and rework” a major housing scheme near to Harrogate High School after councillors failed to approve it for a second time.

Meeting virtually today on Zoom and streamed live on YouTube, Harrogate Borough Council’s Planning Committee passed a motion submitted by Cllr Andrew Paraskos to defer the plans for 155 homes until developer Richborough Estates addresses concerns over housing density, transport provision and sustainability.

Plans for 170 homes on Kingsley Road were initially considered the Planning Committee at a meeting on January 28 but councillors passed a motion to refuse it, saying it would lead to a loss of green space and put local schools and the roads network under pressure.

However, HBC’s solicitor, who spoke at the Committee, said a full refusal could leave the authority open to a legal challenge from the developer as the site has been already been allocated in the Local Plan.

The revised plan reduced the number of homes from 170 to 155 which satisfied HBC housing officer who said it “mitigates concerns over being over-intensive.”

Speaking against the development, Cllr Pat Marsh said local infrastructure would be unable to cope with the added demand.

She told the Committee:

“It doesn’t serve any purpose for the existing community and it just brings more pain and aggravation. It adds nothing for the area other than misery for the local residents. The roads will be horrendous.”

Speaking to the Committee, local resident Mr Hansard said he was “aghast” that the plans were coming before the Planning Committee for a second time.

He said:

“The fact that Richborough Estates have reduced housing by 15 does nothing to change the fact that this proposal is nonsensical. No amount of legal interference will change the fact that this development is unethical and a potential risk to public health.”

Read more:

• Bilton homes would be ‘catastrophic’ for environment, residents say
• Details revealed of plans for new homes in Harrogate

Speaking on behalf of the developer, James Hall, agent for planning consultants Barton Willmore told the Committee that the plans have been revised after discussions with HBC officers and said he didn’t think the layout was over-intense.

He said:

“We’ve listened. We want to make the scheme work well”.

He also said changes have been made to the road layout to tackle congestion and a cycleway has been added to create a new “greenway” to the school and the town centre.

The development had 91 objections with one saying that the matter should not be considered virtually.

Several objections pointed to the impact the development would have on local schools. Harrogate High School has asked for a contribution of £307,435 and Grove Road primary school has asked for £263,422 to cover extra demand for places.