Planning issues lead complaints against Harrogate council

Sixteen complaints were made against Harrogate Borough Council in 2022/23.

The figure was included in a report that will go before councillors next week regarding alleged misdemeanours of council departments.

Another report includes details of four complaints made against councillors.

Issues ranged from allegations of a council bin lorry causing damage to a property and an accusation the council refused to chop down a problematic overhanging tree.

Most of the complaints were resolved by the local government ombudsman without action being taken against the council.

One of the complaints is still under investigation and another is still waiting to be investigated.

Several complaints directed towards the council were regarding planning matters.

These included an accusation about how the council had enforced planning permission over a number of years.

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Another planning complaint questioned how the council handled an application that it claimed would impact negatively on a Harrogate district village.

However, in both cases, the ombudsman decided to close the investigation as it was unlikely to find fault by the council.

Another resident complained to the ombudsman after it accused the council’s building control department of not carrying out proper checks on their home after it discovered it had no insulation.

But the ombudsman said it did not find fault with the council and expects anyone buying a home to have had a full survey done before completing the purchase.

There were four complaints made against councillors. The report does not name them but says three were against councillors on Harrogate Borough Council and one was a parish councillor.

The council consults its ‘Independent Person’ before making a decision about a standards allegation against a councillor.

Two of these complaints related to their conduct on social media. 

However, no investigation was brought forward due to a lack of evidence and the complainant choosing not to take the issue further.

There was one allegation that a councillor made disrespectful comments during a public meeting but the investigation found the comments fell within the definition of ’emotive’ behaviour and in a political context they did not “cross the line” into unacceptable conduct.

‘Comprehensive’ road safety improvements announced for Harrogate schools

Traffic restrictions, new crossing points and vehicle activated signs are to be introduced to make schools safer in the Harrogate district.

A meeting was held at St Aidan’s Church of England High School yesterday in response to growing concerns about traffic outside schools.

School leaders, councillors, road safety leads from the emergency services and campaigners Hazel Peacock, Dr Vicki Evans and Dr Jenny Marks were among those attending.

Cllr Keane Duncan, North Yorkshire County Council’s Conservative executive member for highways and transport, said afterwards a series of measures would be introduced to “make travelling to school safer, healthier and happier”.

Full details are yet to be revealed but the measures will include Harrogate’s first School Streets pilot at Oatlands Junior School, which will see traffic banned except for residents and emergency vehicles on roads outside the school at busy times during school terms.

Cllr Duncan said:

“Today’s meeting represents a crucial step towards improving road safety and promoting more sustainable journeys for children and families.

“We are working closely with all Pannal Ash and Oatlands area schools, local councillors and residents to make improvements in these busy areas.

“The council has agreed to a comprehensive package of highway improvements to be delivered in the immediate term, including new crossing points, vehicle activated signs and Harrogate’s first School Streets pilot at Oatlands Junior School.

“We are continuing to work on further measures to be delivered in the longer term, including consideration of requests for new 20mph zones.”

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Concern about pupil safety was heightened when two 15-year-old boys from Rossett School were seriously injured outside Ashville College on February 2.

The 20’s Plenty for Us campaign, which wants 20mph to be the default option on residential streets and in town and village centres, has also been calling for change.

Representatives from the following schools attended the meeting: Harrogate Grammar School, St Aidan’s Church of England High School, Rossett School, Western Primary, Rossett Acre Primary, Oatlands Junior School, Oatlands Infant School, St John Fisher’s Catholic High School, Ashville College, Harrogate College and Willow Tree Primary.

 

Police use stinger after 140mph pursuit from Harrogate

Police used a stinger to end a 140mph pursuit that started in Harrogate yesterday.

The incident began when the man attempted to drive home immediately after he was convicted in court for drug driving and lost his licence.

Paul Cording, a roads policing sergeant at North Yorkshire Police, tweeted last night:

“Unbelievably he left the courtroom and got straight behind the wheel of a car to drive home.”

Sgt Cording said the motorist defied police requests to stop and began speeding along the A59 and A1(M). He added:

“Weaving dangerously in and out of traffic and using all the lanes including the hard shoulder, the vehicle reached speeds of over 140mph

“The vehicle then headed towards Leeming where a stinger was deployed by our armed response vehicle colleagues before being safely stopped and the driver arrested.”

Sgt Cording said the man had shown “a complete disregard for road safety and the judicial system”.

He added he was subsequently charged and remanded to appear in court this morning.

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Business Breakfast: Harrogate office space provider hires new commercial director

It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. The third in our series of networking events in association with The Coach and Horses in Harrogate is a lunch event on March 30 from 12.30pm.

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 workplace company with offices in Harrogate has hired a new director as part of plans to grow the company.

Wizu Workspace, which has offices on Station Parade, has appointed Chris Mapp as its commercial director.

The company, which hires out co-working and office space, made the appointment as part of plans to expand in the north of England.

Tom Almas, chief executive of Wizu, said:

“Chris’ hire represents a significant step forward for the next chapter of Wizu. As we continue with our growth plans, bringing on board the right senior leadership is crucial to the future success of the business. 

“Chris’ wealth of experience and commercial expertise in flex space sector will be invaluable to us as we look to expand our footprint and offer even more innovative solutions to our members.”

Mr Mapp will be tasked with leading the company commercial strategy and building relationships with key partners.

He said:

“As a seasoned ‘flex-pert’ with experience in commercial, operational, HR, and marketing functions, I’m excited to join Wizu at such a pivotal time in their growth journey.”

Myers Group opens new Boroughbridge branch

Myers Group

Boroughbridge site

Myers Group has opened a new supply branch in Boroughbridge.

The builders merchants has opened the new store on Old Goods Yard off Milby Road.

The three-acre site comes as part of a £4 million investment by Myers Group.

The company said:

“As well as our comprehensive core stock range we will be making the most of the additional space with a broader timber, roofing and brick offer supported by three delivery vehicles to ensure our new customers have access to the legendary Myers delivery service.

“The site also boasts a large kitchen and bathroom showroom with in-house designers making it a true one-stop shop for both trade and DIY customers.”

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Funeral of Seb Mitchell, 17, to take place on Saturday

The funeral of Harrogate teenager Seb Mitchell will take place this weekend.

Harrogate Grammar School tweeted today the service will be held at Christ Church in High Harrogate at midday on Saturday.

It added:

“We will never forget all that he contributed to the life of HGS.

“Seb’s family warmly welcome all of those who would like to join us in paying tribute to him on Saturday.”

Seb died at Leeds General Infirmary on February 21 — a week before his 18th birthday.

An inquest in Northallerton heard the provisional cause of death was a stab wound to the chest.

A 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, denies murder.

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£29,000 to be diverted from street light budget to pay for Stray lights

A total of £29,190 is to be diverted from the Harrogate district’s street lighting budget to pay for the replacement of decorative lights on the Stray.

The trees line the Stray around West Park, Otley Road, Leeds Road, Montpellier Hill and York Place and are a popular winter attraction.

Last autumn Harrogate Borough Council replaced the old sodium lights with energy-efficient LED bulbs and wrapped them round trunks to prevent them hanging from branches and getting damaged.

Sam Gibbs

The new lighting being installed

In a report due before Cllr Mike Chambers, cabinet member for housing and safer communities at Harrogate Borough Council, council officers are set to request retrospective permission to pay for the lights.

The report says the cost of the new lights “has been partly funded by parks and environmental service budgets” but a £29,000 shortfall remained.

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The report says responsibility for annual maintenance of the Stray tree lights rests housing and property services.

It adds:

“However, parks and environmental services were able to provide one off funds to contribute from the cost of the new lights from underspends in the financial year 2021/22. This left a shortfall in funding of £29,000.

“The housing and property reserve includes £84,680 which has built up over the years in relation to street lighting cyclical works which had not been carried out.

“It is recommended that £29,190 of this should be utilised to fund the cost of Stray lights.”

The report adds the council has only received one complaint about the new lighting.

 

Two arrests after bogus police seize boy’s scooter in Bilton

Police have made two arrests after reports of bogus police officers seizing a boy’s electric scooter in Bilton.

North Yorkshire Police issued a statement last night saying it was investigating a “disturbing incident” which happened at 7.20pm on Saturday (March 18).

It involved the suspects mounting the pavement in an unmarked car before seizing the scooter from the teenager.

Police said patrols in the area had “been stepped while the investigation continues”.

In an update this afternoon, the force said it had arrested two suspects in connection with the incident.

It said in a statement:

“We are still urging people to come forward if you can help the current investigation, including relevant dash-cam, doorbell or CCTV footage.

“We’d also would like to speak to anyone who has experienced anything of a similar nature.”

If you would prefer to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Cimestoppers on 0800 555111 or by making an online report.

Quote reference number 12230049556.

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Harrogate Turkish Baths nude ban: police probe ‘ongoing’

North Yorkshire Police has said an investigation into “inappropriate behaviour” at Turkish Baths Harrogate is ongoing.

Harrogate Borough Council banned nude bathing at the Victorian baths last week after it received a complaint.

Until the decision, clothing was optional at two single sex sessions for men and women. It is compulsory at mixed sessions.

But the council, which runs the venue, made swimwear compulsory for all sessions without consulting users following the complaint.

In a statement, it said the complaint was of a “serious nature”, adding:

“We have a duty of care to our customers and staff members, and in order for all single sex sessions to operate in a safe environment, it has been decided that swimwear must be worn until further notice.”

North Yorkshire Police confirmed today it was looking into the matter. A spokesperson said:

“Police received a report of an incident of inappropriate behaviour at the Turkish Baths earlier this month. Enquiries are at an early stage and are ongoing.”

The baths opened in 1897 and with its restored Moorish design is one of Harrogate’s premier attractions.

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Hampsthwaite pupils prepare for epic 1,000-mile bike ride!

A village primary school near Harrogate is taking on an epic challenge to raise £2,000 for improvements to its school playground.

Pupils, parents, teachers and governors from Hampsthwaite Church of England Primary School will be riding over 1,000 miles from Land’s End to John o’ Groats on March 29 and 30 — without leaving the school hall.

Just over 100 pupils from Years 1 to 6 will take turns on one of four stationary bikes in the school hall alongside teachers and members of the Hampsthwaite community to collectively achieve the mammoth distance in a cumulative 24 hours.

To add to the challenge, the bikes will use a ‘magic road’ setting on the Wahoo RGT fitness system, which will recreate the exact route including all of the hills, twists and turns.

Headteacher Amy Ross and the school PTA have made playground improvements a top priority for 2023.

Ms Ross said:

“Everyone at Hampsthwaite Primary School is counting down the days until we take on our virtual bike ride.

“It will be a great way to bring the local community together, whilst raising vital funds to make some long overdue improvements to our playground.

“All pupils will benefit from a playground refurbishment and it will make a significant difference to their time at school on a daily basis. I am grateful for the support and enthusiasm of the teachers, pupils and their family members, who have signed up to take part and sponsor us.”

Over £1,600 has already been pledged. You can support the school’s fundraising efforts here.

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Inspectors says Harrogate hospital maternity services ‘requires improvement’

Health inspectors have rated Harrogate District Hospital’s maternity services as ‘requires improvement’.

The Care Quality Commission, which inspects hospitals and health services, published its verdict in a report on Friday after an inspection in November 2022.

The CQC visited the hospital as part of a national inspection of maternity services.

Harrogate District Hospital was previously rated ‘good’ in a 2016 inspection that looked at maternity services and gynaecology. This latest report was the first time maternity services were rated as standalone services.

The four possible outcomes are ‘outstanding’. ‘good’, ‘requires improvement’ and ‘inadequate’.

Jonathan Coulter, chief executive of Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, said it was “difficult to understand” the change in the rating.

The CQC report said “compliance with appropriate safeguarding, life support training and medicines did not meet targets” although it acknowledged “there was a plan in place to recover this position”.

It added that the number of medical staff on hand “were not always sufficient” and there was no clear system in place to “to identify prioritise risks to women in the maternity assessment area”.

Regular checks on life saving equipment “were not always completed”, the report said.

Inspectors said staff at the service “did not always receive and keep up to date” with mandatory training.

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However, the CQC did find the service had enough midwifery staff to care for women and that staff worked well together.

It added:

“Staff had training in key skills, and worked well together for the benefit of women, understood how to protect women from abuse, and managed safety well. The service controlled infection risk well.

“Staff assessed risks to women in most areas, acted on them and kept good care records. They managed medicines well. The service managed safety incidents well and learned lessons from them.”

‘Not a fair reflection’

In response to the report, Mr Coulter said he did not feel that the findings in the report were a reflection of the service at the hospital.

He said:

“With such positive findings in the CQC report it is difficult to understand the resultant rating change and we do not feel it is a fair reflection of the maternity service we provide. The report describes a maternity unit which is fully staffed, with a positive culture, with staff that are competent, listen to women and are always seeking to improve. 

“We are proud of our team for the dedication, professionalism and caring attitude that they show each day whilst supporting those in our care. We are disappointed the rating applied to the service overall and for the safe domain does not appear to reflect the findings in the report.

“Whatever the rating in this report, our response will be to focus on learning and improvement, as it is for any external or internal service review. 

“As part of this focus on continually improving our services, we prioritise listening and learning to ensure we can provide the high quality care that our patients deserve. Listening to people who use our maternity services is so important, as we completely understand that peoples’ experience can differ. 

“This is why, in addition to our own improvement work, we work in partnership with our Maternity Voices Partnership who provide another valuable way for us to hear the needs of those using our services.”