Council unaware of ‘significant staff shortages’ despite union concern

North Yorkshire Council has said it is unaware of “significant staff shortages” despite concerns from union officials.

Dave Houlgate, secretary at the Unison Harrogate local government branch, said local authorities faced a “recruitment and retention” crisis.

It comes amid reports that Knaresborough Castle was closed last weekend due to staffing shortages and various bin collections have been postponed.

A report before the council’s corporate partnerships scrutiny committee in June also found that demand for care workers in North Yorkshire “continues to outstrip supply”.

Similarly, the council, along with other authorities, faces a “national shortage” of education psychologists.

Mr Houlgate said a below inflation pay award for council staff would not address concerns of shortages.

He said:

“I have been saying there is a recruitment and retention crisis in local government for a number of years now.

“It does impact on service delivery and the latest below inflation pay award will not address that.”

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However, council officials have said they are unaware of any significant shortages within the council.

Trudy Foster, assistant chief executive for HR and business support at the authority, said:

“We have a staff base of over 12,500 employees providing services across the whole county. Whilst there will always be a level of turnover, which is healthy for any organisation, the council is in a good position. 

“We are not aware of any significant staffing shortages affecting services at this time. However, as reported at the corporate partnerships overview and scrutiny committee in June, we do have some hard-to-fill posts in care, social workers, planning and educational psychologists. We are working proactively in these markets to attracts applicants.  

“Through the work in moving to the new council we have revised terms and conditions to ensure the offer is attractive to existing employees and new recruits, ensuring we are able to retain and attract.” 

Business Breakfast: Harrogate company in ‘strong financial position’ despite interest rate hike

The Stray Ferret Business Club’s next meeting is an after work drinks event on Thursday, August 31 at The West Park Hotel in Harrogate between 5-7pm. 

The Business Club provides monthly opportunities to network, make new connections and hear local success stories. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

A Harrogate rental company has said the firm remains in “strong financial position” despite a hike in interest rates this past month.

Vp, which is based at Central House on Beckwith Knowle, recorded a 6% increase in revenue to £371.5m for the year ending March 2023.

In a statement to its annual general meeting, Jeremy Pilkington, chairman of the company, said the group “remains in a strong financial position”.

He added that he expected company results for the upcoming financial year to be in line with board expectations despite “market headwinds” and the Bank of England’s decision to hike interest rates to 5.25%.

Mr Pilkington said:

“We remain focused on the quality of our equipment and excellent service delivery to our customers with an ongoing drive to deliver sustainable solutions to our customer base.

“The group remains in a strong financial position with an excellent track record of delivery. Despite both market headwinds and increases in interest rates, we continue to see opportunities and expect performance for the current financial year to be in line with board expectations.”

Black Sheep launches beer in partnership with Rob Burrow

Black Sheep Brewery has launched a new beer in partnership with Rob Burrow MBE.

The brewery, which is based in Masham, released Burrow Blonde to raise funds for Rob Burrow 7 Discretionary Trust and the Rob Burrow Racing Club.

A total of 10p from every pint and bottle sold is donated to charity.

Picture (from left) Phil Hawthorne, The Good Racing Co, Alex Brandon-Davies, Senior Brewer at Black Sheep Brewery and Rob Burrow and Lindsey Burrow.

Picture (from left) Phil Hawthorne, The Good Racing Co, Alex Brandon-Davies, Senior Brewer at Black Sheep Brewery and Rob Burrow and Lindsey Burrow.

Barrie McDermott, Sky Sports pundit and former Leeds Rhinos teammate of Rob, said: 

“I’m incredibly proud to support the launch of Burrow’s Blonde, a fantastic beer for a fantastic cause, it’s yet another way to get behind our little mate Rob Burrow and his family in their battle against MND.”

Rob’s wife, Lindsey Burrow, said:

“We’re really excited to be working with Black Sheep Brewery and launching Burrow’s Blonde. It’s a great opportunity for people to support Rob by simply buying a beer and enjoying a drink with loved ones.”

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Thousands set to attend Ripley Show on Sunday

Several thousand people are expected to flock to Ripley on Sunday for one of the oldest village shows in the country.

Ripley Show, which dates back to 1849, is a traditional country show that celebrates agriculture and horticulture.

Held in the grounds of Ripley Castle, it is one of the larger village shows with more than 100 stands to browse, as well as numerous activities. An estimated 6,000 to 8,000 people attend.

There will be Terrier racing and Shetland pony racing in the main ring, heavy horses, giant tortoises, sheep dog trials and ferret racing, as well as lots of judging of produce and children’s activities.

Sheep entries have been particularly strong this year, with more than 600 set to be judged in the various categories.

The sheep show returns and this year sees the introduction of a donkey show for the first time.

The event takes place from about 8.30am to 5pm and dogs on leads are welcome.

Ripley and District Agricultural and Horticultural Society organises the event on the second Sunday of August annually.

Show secretary Tammy Smith said:

“Visitors can expect a lovely traditional local show with lots of different attractions to keep them entertained all day.”

Early bird tickets, which are available here until midnight on Friday, cost £12 for adults and £5.50 for children aged five to 16. Family tickets, which allow for up to two adults and three children, are £30 and children under five can attend for free. The prices rise to £16, £7 and £36 on Saturday and on the day. Parking is free.

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Call for urgent review of new bins after dog poo bags litter Jennyfields

A councillor has called for an urgent review of litter bins in the Jennyfields area of Harrogate after reports of dog poo bags piling up.

North Yorkshire Council has removed three bins close to Harrogate Leisure and Wellness Centre — formerly the Hydro — and replaced them with two larger bins.

The old bins were situated in areas used by walkers and dog owners but the new ones are alongside main roads.

This makes them easier to empty but less convenient for people using the fields around the leisure centre to use.

Consequently litter and dog waste bags are being left to pile up.

Councillor Michael Harrison, a Conservative who represents the area on North Yorkshire Council, said the new bins were designed for dog waste and general waste and are emptied by household waste collection crews rather than requiring a separate collection.

He added:

“These have been successfully rolled out in the other villages I represent after some initial teething problems.

“I am however aware of the specific concerns raised in Jennyfields and have asked for an urgent review of the number and siting of the bins.”

Dog owners are discarding dog waste where the bins used to be on the fields rather than carry it to Ripon Road.

Jennyfields residents have contacted the Stray Ferret with their concerns since the new bins arrived last week.

Elizabeth Horner said:

“I live near the Hydro fields and the amount of rubbish from having no bins in area has got disgusting.

“Sadly I’ve counted 15 bottles on the field today.”

Dog walker Diana Salama added:

“I have spoken to seven other dog walkers who regularly walk their dogs at the Hydro. All were puzzled and confused as there is nowhere to easily dispose of poo.

“One lady commented that to go up to the main road meant a long detour and putting the dog on a lead and she would not do this.

“Two were confused and had ended up taking poo home but had no intention of doing this ongoing. Two had left poo bags where the bin used to be.”

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She added:

“No one felt the new concept was effective for dog walkers even though it’s clearly better for the council.”

Ms Salama said there was particular anger at the removal of the bin next to the basketball court.

The field near the basketball court.

The Stray Ferret spoke to several dog walkers in the area this morning who agreed. They said the amount of litter and dog waste in this area, where young people congregate, was worrying.

We asked North Yorkshire Council why the change had been made and whether any consultation had been carried out.

However, a spokesperson said the officer responsible was currently on leave and therefore it could not comment.

New bins being rolled out across Harrogate district

The new bin policy is being rolled out across the Harrogate district. About 250 small bins are being replaced by larger ones.

Dog walkers in nearby Knox expressed concerns in June when the change was implemented there.

Photo of Knox resident Maxie Schiffmann looking into a green wheelie bin for dog waste that North Yorkshire Council has placed near her front gate.

Maxie Schiffman-Rowinski has complained to the council about the new dog waste bin in front of her house in Knox.

Paul Haslam, a Conservative who represents Bilton and Nidd Gorge on the council, said the situation would be reviewed at the end of next month.

Cllr Haslam said the new approach freed up time for the street cleansing team to do other jobs, such as sweep streets.

He added it was also more environmentally friendly because the larger bins contained wheelie bins that could be emptied by machines whereas the smaller old bins contained plastic bags that had to be replaced regularly.

Police find man who went missing from Harrogate hospital

Police have confirmed a man who went missing from a hospital in Harrogate has been found.

The man was reported missing from the hospital on Ripon Road on the morning of Wednesday, August 9.

He was last seen walking towards Parliament Street.

In a statement, North Yorkshire Police said it was thought he may have been in West Yorkshire or heading towards the Burnley area.

Officers urged the public to dial 999 immediately if they saw the man and not to make any contact or approach him.

However, on Wednesday evening, they confirmed he had been located safe and well, and thanked everyone who had shared the appeal.

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Inquest opens into death of well-known Harrogate restaurant owner

An inquest has opened into the death of well-known Harrogate restaurant owner, Stefano Lancellotti.

Mr Lancellotti, 56, who was born in Sasso Marconi near Bologna in northern Italy, was found dead at his home on Yewdale Road on July 21.

He owned Sasso Italian restaurant on Princes Square, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary.

Catherine Cundy, area coroner for North Yorkshire, opened an inquest into his death at a hearing in Northallerton this morning.

Ms Cundy said Mr Lancellotti was found dead at his home.

The hearing was adjourned for a full inquest at a later date.

Friends and customers were invited to pay their respects to Mr Lancellotti at a memorial service at Stonefall Cemetery this afternoon.

A wake was then held for close friends and immediate family only.

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Inquest opens into death of Harrogate woman Sophie Lambert

An inquest opened today into the death of Harrogate woman Sophie Lambert, who went missing for five days in June.

Ms Lambert, 22, left her home in Starbeck on June 16. Hundreds of people took part in searches to find her.

North Yorkshire Police also launched a missing person search, which included helicopters, drones and dogs and was supported by mountain and underwater rescue teams.

Her body was found in the River Nidd near Lands Lane, Knaresborough, by a member of the public five days later.

Catherine Cundy, area coroner for North Yorkshire, opened an inquest into Ms Lambert’s death at a hearing in Northallerton this morning.

She confirmed Ms Lambert was certified dead on June 21, 2023.

Ms Cundy added that a provisional cause of death of “drowning by immersion in fresh water” has been reported.

The hearing was adjourned to a date to be confirmed when a full inquest will take place.

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Plans to install 12 electric vehicle charging points at Wetherby Services

Plans have been submitted to install 12 electric vehicle charging points at Wetherby Services.

Gridserve, a sustainable energy firm in Kirk Deighton, has applied to North Yorkshire Council for the scheme just off junction 46 of the A1(M).

Gridserve was granted planning permission in November 2021 to alter the service station car park to create an electric vehicle charging hub for 24 vehicles. The application also included the creation of 17 additional car parking spaces in a new parking area.

The hub was completed in July 2022 but is not yet in use.

The new proposal, which appeared on the council website this week, has downsized the scheme to 12 charging spaces — half as many as the previous application — and no longer includes a new parking area.

Gridserve is also seeking permission to install electrical equipment that would enable the charging bays to be activated.

The company said in a letter to the council:

“The development is similar to that previously granted permission at the site, but at a smaller scale and with the addition of detailed specification of supporting electrical infrastructure to allow operation of existing and future chargers.”

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The letter adds:

“Gridserve is implementing and building a network of high-power chargers across the country that will provide UK motorists with fast, easy and low carbon charging solutions.

“Many will be located at existing destinations such retail parks and garden centres and will allow customers to use those amenities whilst being able to access dependable charging infrastructure.”

It added the government had a target to deliver at least six high powered EV chargers at every motorway service area across England by 2023.

The charging bays will be situated at the most northerly area of the car park, next to to the Days Inn hotel.

 

People on council house waiting list in Harrogate district set to bid for homes

North Yorkshire Council is set to extend its system of “choice-based” social housing into the Harrogate district.

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.

North Yorkshire Council replaced Harrogate Borough Council on April 1 and as part of its move to a single social housing policy, the council is set to consult on extending the scheme into the district.

It would see the council offer choice-based social housing through its partners such as Broadacres Housing Association, Yorkshire Housing and Beyond Housing.

The Stray Ferret asked the council why it had decided to extend the North Yorkshire Home Choice scheme to Harrogate instead of sticking with the district’s current social housing policy.

A spokesperson said:

“At present the council operates two allocation schemes, North Yorkshire Home Choice which covers all localities except for Harrogate, and a standalone allocation scheme covering the former Harrogate Borough Council area.

“Local Government (Structural Changes) (General) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 provides a period of two years for the housing allocation schemes inherited from predecessor councils to be revised and harmonised across the new unitary authority.

“The new draft policy has been drawn together from the two existing allocations policies of the predecessor councils.

“North Yorkshire Council would operate one social housing allocations scheme across the county.

“Support will be provided to all applicants where the changes affect them, for example if they are required to re-register a housing application.”

The move would see 2,084 people who are currently on the Harrogate housing list re-registered as part of the move to a single policy.

The local authority said it plans to hold face-to-face events and additional communications in Harrogate to “support applicants through the process”.

The council also plans to hold a 12-week consultation on the initiative between August and November this year.

Cllr Simon Myers, executive councillor for culture, arts and housing, will be recommended to approve the consultation at meeting today.

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Business Breakfast: Ripon engineering firm appoints operations director

The Stray Ferret Business Club’s next meeting is an after work drinks event on Thursday, August 31 at The West Park Hotel in Harrogate between 5-7pm. 

The Business Club provides monthly opportunities to network, make new connections and hear local success stories. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

Ripon-based Econ Engineering has appointed a new operations director.

Gareth Legg, who was most recently managing director at Crossroads Truck & Bus Ltd, will take up the role.

Mr Legg will be tasked with overseeing all four of the company’s depots and ensure the smooth running of departmental activities.

He said:

“I am thrilled to be joining the team at Econ which has a fantastic history, reputation, and product offering. 

“When I first visited it was the attention to detail and obvious pride in everything they do which stood out to me and why this opportunity is so exciting.”

Jonathan Lupton, managing director at Econ Engineering, said: 

“We’re excited to welcome Gareth and look forward to making the most of his skills and experience.

“He has a fantastic CV and is extremely knowledgeable in our field of expertise. He will bring insight and fresh ideas from the outside world, which will ensure we retain our position as the market leader.”

Small business networking session to be held in Harrogate

A networking event aimed at small and medium businesses will be held at Harrogate Convention Centre this month.

Connect Over a Cuppa aims to offer advice, funding opportunities and business ideas to SMEs.

The event is organised by North Yorkshire Council and will be held on August 17 at Co-Lab Harrogate in the convention centre.

More sessions are available on September 21, October 19 and November 16. All start from 9.30am and last for 90 minutes.

For more information on the networking events, visit the Eventbrite page here.