The York and North Yorkshire mayoral election is approaching – have your say

This story is sponsored by The York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.

The York and North Yorkshire mayor will be chosen by residents of the region in an election on Thursday, May 2, 2024.

Once elected, they will serve a four-year term, at which point they can either stand down, or choose to stand for re-election.

The deadline to register to vote is 11:59pm, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. Don’t forget – if you’re voting at a polling station, you’ll need to bring along a valid form of photo ID.

The new mayoral role will be an important addition to the way the combined authority operates – but what exactly does this mean for local people, and why is it important to have your say in May?

What is the role of the mayor?

York and North Yorkshire has a 30-year devolution deal, which will give the mayor £18m a year to invest directly into the region. Once elected, they will then have certain powers and responsibilities, devolved to them by central government.

(Image: York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority)

The aim of the role is to facilitate greater investment to improve transport, boost job opportunities, unlock housing developments and develop training for the regional workforce.

While the full scope of these can be found in the Combined Authority Constitution, these will include:

Have your voice heard

(Image: York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority)

The upcoming election aims to appoint a leader to be a strong voice for York and North Yorkshire, and to act as an advocate for the region on a national – and international – stage.

That’s why it is important for you to have your say on who you feel would best represent your views, and your vision for the local area.

No registration, no vote

You must be registered to vote in this election by 11.59pm on Tuesday, April 16, 2024. If you’re voting at a polling station you need to show a valid form of photo ID.

This includes a full or provisional driver’s licence; UK passport and some travel passes such as an older person’s bus pass or blue badge. If you don’t have these you can apply for free voter ID by 5pm on Wednesday, April 24 by visiting the government website.

You can also vote by post and by proxy – where you ask someone you trust to cast your vote for you.

Find out more:

Visit the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority website at: www.yorknorthyorks-ca.gov.uk/mayor to find out more about the election and what it means for you. 

Golfers gather at Rudding Park to meet the President

Golfers from clubs across the Harrogate district and beyond will converge on Rudding Park next month for special annual event organised by the area’s governing body. 

The Meet the President event held by the Harrogate & District Union of Golf Clubs (HDUGC) will see 120 golfers take on Rudding Park’s Hawtree Golf Course – the home course of 2024’s president Phil Kitching – before more than 150 guests attend an evening event at the Rudding Park Hotel. 

Founded in 1943, the HDUGC spans 13 golf clubs, spanning Otley and Ilkley up to Bedale, and Thirsk and Northallerton, as well as all the clubs in Harrogate and Knaresborough, and represents more than 9,000 members at a local, county and national level.    

Attendees at the event on Friday, April 26 will include the captains and lady captains of all 13 HDUGC clubs, as well as officials from five other Yorkshire inter-district unions. 

Matt Wharldall, of Rudding Park Golf Club, said: 

“The HDUGC runs 44 events throughout the year, and this one is the only one that is by invitation only.  

“This year’s Meet the President event promises to be the best yet. As well as the usual breakfast, golf, barbecue and President’s speech, this year we’ll be holding an auction and raffle to raise funds for junior golf.” 

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Bid to send 100 cards to Harrogate RAF veteran on 100th birthday

A campaign is underway for a Harrogate RAF veteran to receive 100 cards on his 100th birthday.

Stanley Clarke joined the RAF as a 16-year-old electrical fitter appliance in 1940.

He volunteered for Commando training in 1942 then spent the war in North Africa and Europe. He retired in 1979.

A Facebook page about the RAF with 23,000 followers is now trying to make his milestone birthday special.

It says Stan is “alive and well living in care home in Harrogate”, adding:

“Stan is 100 years old on April 6th and we’re hoping to fill his care home with cards.

“Please take a couple of minutes of your day and write a card, or go to Moonpig and help make this great man’s day.

“Let’s get Stan over 100 cards.”

It urges people to send cards to: Gp Capt Stan Clarke, Harcourt Gardens Care Home, Harcourt Road, Harrogate HG1 5NL.

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Drone image shows progress on Harrogate Tesco

A drone photograph has given an indication of how the new Tesco supermarket in Harrogate is shaping up.

Drone photographer Colin Corker captured the image over the New Park area of the town.

It shows work on the access road off Skipton Road is well underway.

The supermarket’s footprint is also visible on land to the back of Electric Avenue, which also connects to Skipton Road.

The former gasworks site at the junction of Skipton Road and Ripon Road is to the east.

To the north is Oak Beck Retail Park, where Aldi has a store.

Tesco received planning permission in February last year to build a store, petrol station and a 209-space car park on the site of the former gas works at the junction of Skipton Road and King’s Road.

You can see more of Mr Corker’s images here.

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Environmentalists respond to Nidd and Ure sewage spill figures

Two environmental groups have responded to the news of sewage spills more than doubling in the River Nidd and Ure last year.

It comes after the Environment Agency last week revealed sewage discharge figures for all water and sewage companies in England, including Yorkshire Water.

The Stray Ferret analysed the data for the two main rivers in the Harrogate district and found sewage spills not only more than doubled in 2023, but also saw a total of 27,838 hours of spills.

Investment into infrastructure ‘coming too late’

We contacted Nidd Action Group (NAG), which spearheads the iNidd campaign for improved water quality, about the recent figures.

The group appear less than impressed about the significant increases.

David Clayden, the chair, last week told the Stray Ferret:

“From NAG’s quick look at the Nidd data, there seems to be at least 30% more spills this year for almost double the hours of spilling sewage than last year.

“Bear in mind that Yorkshire Water’s plan, determined by the government, is to reduce the average number of spills per asset to less than 10 per year by 2050 (quicker for Knaresborough if we get Safe Bathing Water Status). Yorkshire Water’s considerable investment in infrastructure is coming too late and won’t get the safe bathing and ecological balance in our river right for many years.

“The numbers are going the wrong way. NAG is looking for reduction year-on-year — not upward blips!

“Of course, it has rained a lot this winter but we need to be prepared for changed weather patterns, not just hoping for the best.”

Mr Clayden said the group will “continue to scrutinise what is being planned and what is being achieved for the Nidd”.

NAG will also press Yorkshire Water and the Environment Agency for effective and rapid ways to reduce this tide of sewage, he added.

Rivers trust says figures are ‘distressing’

We also contacted the Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust (YDRT), a charity that works to protect local rivers, about the data.

Charlotte Simons, catchment partnership manager for YDRT, said the figures come as “distressing news” to the organisation, adding:

“As our population grows and we experience more extreme weather events as a result of climate change, the frequency of these discharges will only increase, unless action is taken. We want to see an end to the practice of discharging raw sewage into our rivers.

“We want to be able to swim, paddle, fish and play in our rivers without risk of getting sick. We want to give our native wildlife a chance to recover, and see our rivers full of life.

“Yorkshire Water has pledged investment over the next five years to tackle this problem. Now we need the government to play their part and approve that spending, to hold Yorkshire Water to account, and to ensure that good decisions are made for long-term environmental and societal benefit.

“This means working with nature as much as possible, looking for integrated solutions that tackle the sewage problem along with other sources of pollution, and deliver more benefits to society too.”

The Stray Ferret reported on the Nidd and Ure statistics last week, which also recorded a total of 2,799 counted continuous spills between the rivers.

Political rivals Andrew Jones MP and Tom Gordon also shared their rather opposing views on the figures at the time.

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North Yorkshire Council: Five things that have changed in Harrogate

It’s one year since the launch of North Yorkshire Council reshaped local government in the Harrogate district.

The authority replaced the now defunct Harrogate Borough Council with the promise of making savings.

The changes in governance were far reaching, from taxi licensing to planning decisions.

The Stray Ferret has looked at the areas which have changed under North Yorkshire Council’s regime since April 1, 2023.

Taxi licensing

Probably the most controversial area to be have been overhauled by the new council is the licensing of taxi cabs.

Under the authority’s harmonisation agenda, the zone which taxis could operate in was widened to county-wide.

Previously, cabbies could only trade within the Harrogate district.

However, the council overhauled its licensing policy so that taxis can now operate anywhere in North Yorkshire.

In theory, the move would allow drivers to pick up business across the county.

Photo of Ripon taxi driver Richard Fieldman

Richard Fieldman, who runs his taxi in Ripon.

But some drivers did not see it that way.

Richard Fieldman, who operated his taxi cab in Ripon for 28 years, said the move would see quieter areas deprived of taxis during the busier times.

Planning decisions

One notable change under the new council is the overhaul of planning decisions.

Following its inception, the council created local area constituency committees which are made up of councillors from a particular area.

These committees also took on planning powers, but only for applications under 500 homes.

Any development which is above 500 homes or is a major employment site proposal goes before the council’s strategic planning committee, which meets in Northallerton.

In September 2023, a controversial plan to build a motorway service station off the A1(M) near Boroughbridge was referred to the council’s main committee instead of Harrogate and Knaresborough area committee.

Tourism

Much like most areas which effect Harrogate, tourism is also being slowly absorbed into the new council.

The district’s tourism body Destination Harrogate was set up by Harrogate Borough Council and transferred to North Yorkshire Council on April 1 last year. So far, all employees have kept their jobs and are still working from Harrogate.

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However, the organisation has fallen under a county-wide review as the new authority looks to move towards a different structure.

North Yorkshire Council is now joining with City of York Council to create a new Local Visitor Economy Partnership for York and North Yorkshire.

Double devolution

One of the cornerstones of the Conservative leadership of North Yorkshire Council’s campaign for a single-authority was the pledge to let local people take control of local assets.

The promise came in the shape of the council’s double devolution agenda.

It would see town and parish councils given powers over local assets such as markets, car parks and public toilets.

The authority revealed in October that Knaresborough Town Council and Ripon City Council were chosen to advance bids to take control over some of their assets.

Knaresborough Town Council’s application to manage the town’s markets, storage facility and associated assets such as road closure signs is being progressed to a full business case.

Meanwhile, the council has considered a project team to work with Ripon City Council on its bid as it was deemed “particularly ambitious”.

It included management of Ripon Town Hall, Market Place and Car Park, public toilets within the city and the Wakeman’s House listed building.

Council tax harmonisation

As part of its harmonisation plans, the council also sought to level out council tax across North Yorkshire.

This saw the rate which people pay in the Harrogate district equalled with that in Ryedale, Richmondshire, Scarborough, Hambleton and Craven.

At the time, Harrogate’s council tax was the highest in North Yorkshire at £1,723.27 for the year. 

A decision was taken to bring council tax levels up to Harrogate’s rate in order to raise £11.3 million.

Councillors had considered bringing down rates in line with the lowest amount at the time, which was Hambleton – however, council officials warned this would see annual funding raised by bills fall by £21 million.

Former Harrogate district MP takes up consultancy role

A former Harrogate district MP is set to advise UK and overseas firms as a consultant less than two years after leaving government.

Nigel Adams, who resigned as Conservative MP for Selby and Ainsty in June 2023, has set up his own independent consultancy company to advise firms on IT and telecommunications.

Mr Adams, whose constituency included villages including Spofforth and Follifoot in the Harrogate district and was minister without portfolio under Prime Minister Boris Johnson, sought advice from the government’s Advisory Committee on Business Appointments.

According to letters from Acoba, he intends to work with companies such as Berlin-based Better Earth Partners and Warwickshire communications firm, CloudClevr Holdings Ltd.

His work would involve “providing advice and consulting services” to firms and organisations in the UK and abroad.

Lord Pickles, who chairs the committee, told Mr Adams that while it would not be “improper” for him to set up a consultancy firm, he would be required to consult Acoba on each commission he takes on.

He said:

“It would not be improper for you to operate a consultancy which draws on generic skills and experience you gained from your time in government.

“The potential risks in this case are hard to quantify given the broad and wide ranging nature of the consultancy; and you had access to a wide range of sensitive information and insight whilst in office.

“The committee considered you could offer a potential unfair advantage over competitors- whether in relation to seeking new clients, or in providing them with advice.”

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Lord Pickles added that the cabinet office had no concerns over Mr Adams’ access to sensitive information given the time passed since he was a minister.

However, Mr Adams’ was warned not to become “personally involved in lobbying the UK government or any of its arm’s length bodies” in the two years from his last day in ministerial office for either of the companies he is involved with.

The former MP resigned with immediate effect in June 2023 after Boris Johnson stood down as Prime Minister.

Mr Adams, who was a key ally of Mr Johnson, said at the time that he will not stand again at the next election.

Readers’ Letters: The ‘scruffy’ state of Harrogate makes me ashamed of my town

Readers’ Letters is a weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district. It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. Send your views to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk. 

This letter follows an incident on Harrogate’s Parliament Street on Wednesday, during which three teenagers threw bottles from an upper level window onto the street.

Your story about the throwing of bottles onto Parliament Street includes a picture of the buildings on that part of the street, and they just serve to demonstrate how scruffy much of Harrogate is these days.

It makes me ashamed of my town.

Many of the windows appear to be broken, the paintwork is in a dire state, and I’ve no doubt the insides are equally scruffy and weather worn. This is a prime street in what is supposed to be a smart town – doesn’t anybody care?!

Harrogate doesn’t really have individual fine buildings; it is the collective period ambience which gives the style to which the much-needed visitors and shoppers will come. We must make sure that it is kept up to scratch.

How do we make the owners of properties smarten them up? Who do we vote for who will lead the change?

Chris Graville, Harrogate

Housing developments, Kex Gill and local flooding

This letter is in response to several ongoing topics, including plans for new housing developments and the new mayor.

Almost every day the Stray Ferret tells us the council have approved plans to build more houses.

Our hamlets and villages have all now been turned into towns and the green fields can never be recovered. The loss of trees and the damage to wildlife is unforgiveable.

The ‘new town’ on York Road has been advertising for some months “£30,000 of savings”, to me this says they are not selling, so why are the council doing everything in their power to force through these permissions? Nobody ever votes in favour and all the votes are against.

We are a tiny island with limited resources and all this unrestrained building will end in disaster.

Flooding is getting more regular and more severe. Could the fact that 1,000’s of acres of green field sites have been concreted over to build new houses have anything to do with it. As there is no longer any natural drainage where do the authorities think this water is going to go?

In addition, the new mayor: outdated, no longer required and a waste of money. £2.2 million to find a mayor and then £80,000 a year + all the expenses to maintain. What useful purpose does this position provide? Surely this money could be better spent elsewhere.

Malcolm Hodgekinson, Bilton

Lack of information on Kex Gill is ‘outrageous’

This letter follows the ongoing A59 at Kex Gill saga. The road closed more than two months ago. The Stray Ferret reported on Thursday that the road is expected to be closed until the end of June.

Having read the reporting of closure of the A59 in the Kex Gill area, Mr. Alistair Young’s honest comments came as breath of fresh air. The environmental comments which are said to have come from an official could have been written by J. K. Rowling.

It appears to be clear that the public consultation documents haven’t been read and the geological survey hasn’t been observed.

I can’t believe that the effects of a little drop of rain in these conditions wouldn’t have been calculated. To be awarded £115,000 of council tax money to repair an avoidable damaged road clearly needs an independent investigation. It’s about time these so-called knowledgeable officials listened to people like Mr. Young and read documents which they requested.

I live just outside of Harrogate area and travel the A59 every week. Like so many other people we are suffering the inconvenience. The council have been very inconsiderate to local people.

The lack of information has been outrageous.

Interestingly the repairs may begin after Easter, two months after the closure. Ironically that coincides with the new financial year.

Keith Norris, Harrogate

Do you have an opinion on the Harrogate district? Email us at letters@thestrayferret.co.uk. Please include your name and approximate location details. Limit your letters to 350 words. We reserve the right to edit letters.

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What happens to the Bettys Easter Egg after the window display?

Bettys Easter egg is a familiar sight in Harrogate each year but questions have been raised about what happens to the egg after the festivities.

Speculation has been circulating on social media this week as to what happens to the famous egg after the display.

Some Facebook users said the egg is disposed of once the festivities are over, which caused debate as to what should happen to it. Some people argued it should be sold or donated.

The tradition of the Bettys display is more than a century old. The company’s founder Frederick Belmont designed eggs ornately crafted like the ones on display and a tradition was born.

It features hand piped icing designs and contains over 5kg of Swiss chocolate.

The Stray Ferret spoke to Bettys and a spokesperson said:

“We have seen rumors on social media and can confirm the egg wouldn’t be safe to eat, it has been lacquered to prevent it melting and by the end of the display it is all covered in dust. It used to be donated to charity years ago.”

A spokesperson involved in the creation of the Bettys window displays said:

“The eggs and cakes for windows are produced as normal but with artificial colours used for the icing so they don’t fade as quickly as the natural colours we normally. This new lacquer clear spray is relatively new. We have only done a couple of displays with it, but it stops the products degrading in the window but it’s not edible. Some of the cakes are not sprayed and are made out of royal icing or marzipan and sugar paste so they don’t melt. I do vaguely remember the eggs being donated away when I first started but now with health and safety and the new lacquer process sprayed on at the end it’s not possible.”

Bettys Easter window display 2024

Disappointed Bettys fans can still purchase a ‘grande’ egg of their own for £375.

The eggs are made to order and are only available for collection from a Bettys store. Smaller eggs in the display are also available to purchase here.

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Knaresborough woman awarded palliative care award at national care awards

A Knaresborough woman has won the palliative care award at the national finals of the Great British Care Awards.

Karen Crampton is live-in carer from Carefound Home Care, Harrogate. The company is a provider of local home care services that enable older people to live at home and has branches in Wilmslow, West Bridgford, Harrogate and York.

As a professional live-in carer, Ms Crampton provides round-the-clock care to her clients in their own homes. The role enables patients to remain at home, including at the end of life.

The Great British Care Awards celebrate excellence across the care sector and took place at the ICC in Birmingham on March 22.

Ms Crampton was named as the national winner of the palliative care award, recognising the end-of-life care she provides to older people in their own homes. She previously won the regional award at the Yorkshire & Humberside event at the Royal Armouries in Leeds.

TV celebrities Rylan Clark and Steve Walls presented the award to her at the awards ceremony.

Ms Crampton said:

“I feel a little overwhelmed, but winning this national award was just really wonderful. I really do love my job and even though it’s challenging and hard work at times, the joy I get out of giving such personal care when it truly matters outweighs it all. I truly care for my clients and their families and want them to feel safe in the knowledge that everything will be taken care of with dignity and respect for all involved.

“I have worked at Carefound Home Care for almost seven years now and giving such personal, one-to-one care is so rewarding and I can honestly say it’s the best feeling of job satisfaction I have known.”

Karen Crampton and Leonnie Martin from Carefound Home Care at the Great British Care Awards

The judges of The Great British Care Awards said:

“Karen’s exceptional compassion and understanding of the importance of love and quality experiences shine brightly. Going beyond the norm, she helps individuals create lasting memories, including outings in her motorhome. Her remarkable outlook on death is a gift to those facing it, making her a true inspiration.”

Carla Hainsworth, registered branch manager at Carefound Home Care in Harrogate, added:

“We’re incredibly proud of Karen for this national recognition of the outstanding care she provides to her clients. She has demonstrated a passion for providing palliative care at home and helps families to experience sensitive and dignified care at the end of life.

“We know that over 70% of people would prefer to die at home (according to Dying Matters, 2017) and Karen’s well-deserved award is a great example of how live-in care can make this happen and avoid unnecessary admissions to hospital.”

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