A consultation about a potential Harrogate town council has been called “undemocratic” because it says residents would have to pay up to £60 a year extra without stating what powers it might have.

North Yorkshire Council is running a second consultation on whether a town council for Harrogate should be created.

Consultation documents say how much residents in band D properties are likely to pay through their council tax to cover services provided by the new town council.

North Yorkshire Council said the town council’s council tax precept would allow for an annual budget in the range of £1m to £1.6m.

Knaresborough and Ripon both currently have their own councils that charge a precept to provide services such as allotments, public events and small parks.

However, it is unclear at this stage what services a potential Harrogate town council would deliver.

There would be 19 councillors elected to the town council with elections taking place on May 2, 2024.

‘Unfair and undemocratic’

Speaking at a residents’ meeting last week, Michael Schofield, the Liberal Democrat councillor for Harlow and St Georges, criticised the consultation process and said people were not sure what they would be voting for if the town council was created.

He said:

“It’s alright talking about flower beds but we still don’t know what North Yorkshire Council’s executive are going to let a town council have control of.

“It’s unfair and undemocratic not to be told what we going being asked to pay for and voting for. They need to let us know.”

His view is shared by the final mayor of the Harrogate borough, Victoria Oldham, who was the Conservative councillor for Washburn on Harrogate Borough Council until March 31.

Read more:

• Second consultation to be held on whether to form Harrogate town council
• Just 3.5% responded to Harrogate town council consultation

Ms Oldham is backing the creation of a town council but said people interested in becoming councillors should be getting around the table with North Yorkshire Council now to discuss what powers it might have.

She told the Local Democracy Reporting Service:

“There’s no point in saying you’ll have a town council if you don’t say what you’re supposed to be running so those people interested in being on the town council need to be coming together now and putting a plan forward. There needs to be some sort of mediation.

“Saying suddenly you have a town council and not knowing what you’ll be responsible for is going to be awkward.”

In response, North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for corporate services, Conservative Cllr David Chance, said:

“A town council for Harrogate is aimed at ensuring that the views of residents are represented at the most local level and helping to provide the services that are so important to the public.

“We are undertaking a consultation to get people’s opinions on the detailed
recommendations for the town council.

“Harrogate and Scarborough are the only parts of the county not to have a parish or town council. When North Yorkshire Council launched on April 1 after the previous eight local authorities in the county merged, a central pledge of this change was to enable town and parish councils to take on greater responsibility if they want and are able to.

“Residents of unparished parts of Scarborough and Harrogate were invited last summer to say whether they wanted to create new town councils. More than two-thirds of residents who responded in the two towns were in favour of the idea.

“We believe that the chance for town councils for both Harrogate and Scarborough will be fundamental in making sure local democracy can be as effective as possible, and I would urge the public to have their say during the latest consultation, which is running until Friday, May 5.“

Residents can take part in the consultation by visiting www.northyorks.gov.uk/CGR. Paper copies are available by calling 01609 536400 or emailing cgr@northyorks.gov.uk.

It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. Our next networking event is after-work drinks at Manahatta, on May 25th at 5:30.

Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

A Harrogate mobile company has secured a contract for communications at Leeds Bradford Ariport.

Mobile Tornado, which is based at Cardale Park, announced the agreement which will see the firm provide push-to-talk over cellular equipment for the airport’s workforce.

The company said the move would help LBA to “improve safety, efficiency and productivity in complex daily operations”.

Luke Wilkinson, global head of sales at Mobile Tornado, said: 

“This agreement with one of the UK’s busiest regional airports represents another big vote of confidence in our push-to-talk over cellular platform as an improved radio system for critical communications.”

Damian Ives, chief operating officer at LBA, said: 

“Mobile Tornado’s world-leading technologies will help us to manage operations and achieve our ambitions.

“As a regional airport, we plan our development with the local economy, environment and stakeholders in mind and we are delighted to be working with Mobile Tornado, a local company with world-leading technology.”

Bettys and Taylors partners with Woodland Trust

Bettys and Taylors of Harrogate has announced a partnership with the Woodland Trust.

The move will see the company form a tree planting partnership at the trust’s Snaizeholme project in the Yorkshire Dales.

The scheme will see up to 50,000 trees planted as part of the company’s five-year project.

Alice Tollan, sustainable development specialist at Taylors, said: 

“As a family business that relies on agriculture for much of our produce, we have a long commitment to protecting our environment.

“Our Trees for Life campaign was launched in 1990 and since then we’ve supported the planting of over seven million trees in both the UK and in tea and coffee growing regions around the world.

“We’re proud to have worked with the Woodland Trust for many years on tree planting initiatives across the UK and we’re pleased to partner together on this latest unique project.”

Pip Greensmith, head of partnerships for the Woodland Trust, added: 

“Snaizeholme offers a chance for us to boost biodiversity at a time when the natural world is in crisis.

“Tree planting and habitat restoration will boost the water quality of the river and beck, safeguarding habitats for species such as otter, as well as attracting birds such as herons, grey wagtails, kingfishers and dippers.

“It’s great to see Bettys & Taylors Group invest in nature-based solutions here in the UK.”

Read more: 

• Business Breakfast: Harrogate businesswoman wins lifetime achievement award
• Business Breakfast: Harrogate property specialists move to new office
• Business Breakfast: Harrogate mobile company partners with United States firm

Harrogate Town secured their status in the English Football League with a win at Newport County last night.

The 3-2 victory will see Town remain in League Two next season.

It means Harrogate can prepare for a third campaign in the EFL since their historic promotion in 2020.

Financially, it also means the club will continue to receive Premier League solidarity payments, EFL money and potential broadcasting fees if fixtures are shown on television.

The Premier League pays solidarity payments to all EFL clubs, with those in League Two receiving an estimated £450,000 each in recent seasons.

The club plans to renovate its EnviroVent Stadium on Wetherby Road to comply with EFL standards.

It can now proceed in the knowledge that its place among England’s top 92 clubs is safe for at least another year.

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• Harrogate Town’s stadium upgrade approved
• Harrogate Town to open Hall of Fame

Town’s 3-2 win at Newport last night was secured with a goal from Luke Armstrong seven minutes from full-time.

Armstrong’s 16th goal of the season leaves Harrogate nine points above the relegation zone with two games remaining.

Speaking after the match at Rodney Parade, manager Simon Weaver said he wanted the team to continue to build momentum despite securing survival.

He said:

“We said before the game that we want to finish with as many points as possible. We wanted to excite the fans, keep building momentum and end on a positive note for the fans.”

The story is sponsored by WhiteTop Productions.

How does a Yorkshire man in this late 50’s, who works in property, set about a career change to become a voiceover artist?

David Waterhouse recently worked for the Stray Ferret Business Awards in Harrogate voicing up videos of all the finalists and winners for the big night. His voice work is a far cry from his day job in property, but he puts his success partly down to a rise in popularity for his ‘soft northern tones’.

In 2016, David fell into the voiceover industry after requesting to record an advert for his property company on a local radio station. After some pushback from the station, they eventually agreed – and lo and behold a star was born.

After falling in love with voiceover work, David trained with RichCraft in Bath.

His big break came when he was hired by Pixel House Media, who worked with a university in the North East, which turned into a series of voiceover jobs thereafter. Following that, David has also done work for the AA, The Virtual College and many more.

He said:

“I did something for an AA product launch during covid.

“Apparently it was one of the most successful launches they’d had to date”.

David previously owned Angus Roberts, an Ilkley-based lettings agent, and is currently the Director of Fresh Approach Management. Property is still his main occupation, but he hopes that one day voiceover work may become a big part of what he does.

It could be as a VO…but then maybe an MC, for events like the Stray Ferret Business Awards!

David has since launched WhiteTop Productions to further his new career venture and showcase his work.

It hasn’t all been bright lights and Hollywood signs, however, as David has faced challenges in the industry. David described it as “so competitive” and explained “covid brought an influx of artists entering the marketplace, and has driven prices to be even more competitive”.

Despite this, David’s love for voiceover remains a constant. He said:

“I’m not doing this to feed my kids.

“I’m doing it because I love it…and apparently ‘soft northern’ is very en vogue at the moment!”.

Speaking about the inaugural Stray Ferret Business Awards,  David said it was an opportunity for him to showcase his talent to hundreds of attendees.

“I really did enjoy the Stray Ferret Awards.

“I was so proud to be associated with it”.

Visit his website to find more information and to listen to David at work.

Oh, and if BBC Sounds needs a continuity announcer, or a northern bloke on The Archers, David is “definitely available!”

Find out more:

David Waterhouse is professional voice over talent for TV & radio ads, online corporate videos, IVR, e-learning, narration and more.

For more information, go to whitetopproductions.co.uk or for a conversation about your project, call David on 07917 807784. 

A Harrogate man has made it through the first stage of the 19th series of MasterChef.

Hotel supervisor Owen Diaram made his debut on the primetime BBC programme last night.

He was one of nine contestants battling it out in the third week of heats for a place in the competition round, with only seven going through.

Drawing inspiration from his South African roots, Mr Diaram blended his style of cooking with some Indian flavours – making a “perfectly cooked” prawn biriyani, as described by the notoriously tough judges.

He found himself cooking a second time to fight for the final few remaining aprons that took him through to the next round.

It was his second dish that earned him a place in the competition round of the programme and a famous MasterChef apron.

Read more:

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• Harrogate restaurant relaunches following £30,000 refurbishment

Asked about his food dream, Mr Diaram told the BBC:

“I am hoping that local restaurants in Harrogate will give me opportunities to work with them after seeing me cook in the MasterChef kitchen.

“Eventually I’d love my own business within the hospitality industry bringing my unique style of cooking to North Yorkshire for more people to enjoy.”

In the next episode, he will compete alongside six other contestants for a place in the quarter-final.

It will air at 8pm tomorrow night (Thursday, April 27) on BBC One.

Don’t miss former MasterChef semi-finalist Olayemi A Adelekan’s weekly food feature coming to the Stray Ferret on Saturday, April 29.

North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Zoe Metcalfe is set to relocate her office to Harrogate Police Station.

The Conservative commissioner, whose job is to scrutinise the performance of the force as well as the fire service, will move in alongside officers on Beckwith Head Road on June 1 this year.

Ms Metcalfe’s office, which employs about 30 staff, is currently based on Granby Road in Harrogate.

The current office on Granby Road in Harrogate

The move comes as part of the commissioner’s strategy to optimise her estate and “improve partnership working and communications”.

Simon Dennis, chief executive and monitoring office at the commissioner’s office, said:

“We expect to save approximately £80,000 per year by changing our office arrangements. Like many progressive organisations, the commissioner’s team has a strong commitment to flexible, agile working and our office accommodation needs have changed in recent years.

“We have been working closely with the estates team, chief constable and chief fire officer to ensure we are all making the most efficient and effective use of the police and fire station buildings.

“In addition to our office re-location the team will also work more flexibly from home and other police and fire buildings.

“The team are really excited and are looking forward to the move which will not only save money but improve our working relationships with the police and fire service.”

Harrogate Police Station

Ms Metcalfe added:

“The public expect police and fire buildings to be used efficiently, especially at this time of strain on our finances, so I am pleased that we can make a contribution towards savings by vacating our office at Granby Road.”

The commissioner’s office said it would continue to review the use of its estates as it planned for devolution and the introduction of a mayoral office.

Read more:

• Zoë Metcalfe confirms bid to become North Yorkshire’s first mayor
• Crime commissioner pledges to tackle ‘woefully low’ rape prosecution rates

A friendship bench has been installed at Follifoot Primary School to encourage pupils to support each other.

The bench provides a place where children can sit if they feel lonely or don’t have anyone to play with at playtime. Others see them and start up a friendship.

Friends of Follifoot School, a group of volunteer parents, presented the bench to the school playground this week.

Children elected on to the school council proposed the idea last year to promote friendship and kindness.

The friends group has now made it happen by using funds raised at its annual summer fair Follifête to buy the bench, which was crafted by Harrogate furniture company Harvey George.

The unveiling of the bench coincided with the last day on the committee of four members of the friends group. Laura Hartley, Vicky Hodgson, Claire Hartley and Sam Riley stepped down after fundraising for the school for five years. The bench was their parting gift to the children.

Read more:

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A new committee is now planning the next Follifête on July 9 at Follifoot Village Hall.

Ms Hartley, who was chair of the friends group, said:

“It was something the school council were really passionate about and we’re glad that we were able to bring their idea to life. We hope that the bench will see hundreds of friendships created over time.”

Headteacher Rebecca Holland said:

“I am sure the bench will be loved by Follifoot children for decades to come.”

Pic shows: Friends of Follifoot School present the bench to pupils. Back row L to R: Sophie Griffiths from Harvey George; Laura Hartley, chair of FOFS; Rebecca Holland, headteacher, Claire Hartley, Vicky Hodgson and Sam Riley from FOFS; middle row L to R: Lizzie, Annabelle, William; front row L to R: Elliot, Jessica, Florence, Jasper

North Yorkshire Council looks set to make three former district council managers redundant at a cost of £513,700.

The council, which replaced Harrogate Borough Council and seven other district and county councils at the start of the month, is restructuring its workforce.

According to a report due before the authority’s executive, senior managers who were transferred to the council under TUPE regulations can be offered “substitute duties” which fit their job descriptions.

Some senior staff left for other jobs before the authority was formed, while others took up roles on the new council.

However, three of the senior managers are due to be made redundant after the roles they were allocated were “time-limited”.

The report said:

“There are three senior managers where the substitute duties allocated are time-limited, and on conclusion they will be in a redundancy position.

“Legal advice has been sought and confirms this position.”

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As a result, the council looks set to pay an estimated £513,700 in exit packages to those being made redundant.

None of the officers are former employees of Harrogate Borough Council.

The payments will be split by £107,000, £108,000 and £298,000.

Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire Council, said the move to one council has helped to save £3.7 million in senior officers’ pay.

He said:

“A huge amount of work has been undertaken to bring together the previous eight councils into one and ensure that there is value for money for North Yorkshire’s taxpayers. 

“The move to one single management team for North Yorkshire Council has saved about £3.7 million in pay for senior officers every year. The fact that there are only three senior managers in this situation is significantly less than other councils in this position. 

“To have these managers still involved for a defined period has been of significant benefit to the new council, making full use of their skills and experience for work that would otherwise have needed extra resources in terms of appointments, interim managers or consultants.”

A meeting of the council’s executive is set to discuss the matter on Tuesday, May 2. Senior councillors have been recommended to refer the matter to full council.

In December, Unison wrote to the authority warning it not to offer senior managers more favourable redundancy terms than other staff.

The letter came as Hambleton District Council agreed to pay £767,065 to four senior officers who decided they do not wish to work for the unitary North Yorkshire Council after April 1.

The payments were agreed even though the four directors had been assured they would be offered “suitable roles” at no financial loss to themselves when they transferred to North Yorkshire Council.

Former Harrogate Borough Council chief executive Wallace Sampson negotiated a £101,274 redundancy pay-out before his departure at the end of March.

Police have issued a CCTV image of a man they want to speak to after an electric bike was stolen outside a Harrogate supermarket.

The incident happened at Aldi on Old Beck Road at about 3.10pm on Saturday, April 15.

North Yorkshire Police said in a statement today:

“The bike had been left secure outside the store. A man entered B&Q next door, then rode the bike away.

“Officers are asking members of the public to get in touch if they recognise a man pictured on CCTV, as they believe he will have information that will help the investigation.”

A full length image of the wanted man.

Anyone with any information is asked to email joanne.fawectt@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for PC 371 Joanne Fawcett.

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Quote reference number 12230066912 when passing on information.

Read more:

• Harrogate Turkish Baths accused of discrimination for halving women-only sessions
• Harrogate church saves £20,000 on clock repairs with can of duck oil

Turkish Baths Harrogate has been accused of discriminating against women by halving the number of single-sex sessions.

From May, the baths will reduce the number of women-only and men-only weekly sessions from two each to one.

Staff have said in emails to customers it is a business decision based on low numbers at one of the men-only sessions.

They say the decision to cut one of the men-only sessions means it’s necessary to do the same with one women-only session to maintain fairness.

Consequently, the daytime session devoted exclusively to females will no longer exist — even though it is popular.

Regular customer Francine Holroyd said the decision was “fundamentally wrong” and unfair on women.

She said female-only sessions were consistently well attended and provided a safe space for women of all backgrounds.

Ms Holroyd said:

“I’m very worried for a lot of Muslim ladies and others like myself who go on their own and would not go to a mixed session. It is fundamentally wrong.

“I do believe it is discriminatory as it means there will only be an evening session available to women.  The Turkish Baths offers a safe place for women of all ethnic backgrounds to meet together and relax.

“If one of these sessions is removed it means that it reduces by 50% women’s access to spaces for women only. Women travel from all over Yorkshire to enjoy the Turkish Baths in a safe, female friendly environment.”

The Turkish baths on Parliament Street

Ms Holroyd, who is chair of governors at Harrogate Ladies’ College, said the loss of the daytime single-sex session would particularly affect women because, as they provide most childcare, they had more free time during the day to attend such things before school pick-up rather than in the evening. She added:

“Surely the decision should be a commercial one — i.e. the two ladies-only sessions are full so keep them.”

Read more:

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• Inspectors says Harrogate hospital maternity services ‘ improvement’

Katie Summersall, Turkish Baths manager, said:

“Following a successful trial, a new operational model is set to be introduced at Turkish Baths Harrogate.

“From May 1, guests will be able to book a timeslot set for every 30 minutes and will be able to spend up to two hours in the baths. This will mean there will be less of a wait at the start and end of each session as guests will no longer all need to arrive and leave at the same time.

“Two single-sex sessions will also be removed (on Thursday and Friday), meaning more customers will be able to access the baths throughout the week.”

Nude ban remains

Ms Summersall also said the baths had “decided that swimwear will remain compulsory at all public sessions”.

Clothing-optional sessions ended last month after a complaint was made to police about “inappropriate behaviour”. No further details were released.

North Yorkshire Police said at the time enquiries were at an early stage and ongoing.

The Stray Ferret asked for an update. A police spokesperson said:

“There’s no update, enquiries are ongoing.”