North Yorkshire’s leaders are keeping their cards close to their chests in the face of calls for a referendum on the creation of a new Harrogate town council.

With local government reorganisation fast approaching, a consultation is currently underway on whether Harrogate should keep control of some key services and buildings by becoming a parished area.

But borough councillors were last night unanimous in their calls that the consultation does not go far enough and that a public vote is needed.

Cllr Richard Cooper, the Conservative leader of Harrogate Borough Council, told a meeting that the process of creating a town council would be a “sham” unless a ballot was held before residents are asked to pay an extra tax to fund it.

He put forward a motion which was supported by all political parties and called on North Yorkshire County Council to give “democratic legitimacy” to the town council plans by holding a vote.

However, when later asked by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the county council refused to say whether a referendum would go ahead.

Cllr Carl Les, leader of the county council, said in a statement: 

“We will consider Harrogate Borough Council’s motion when and if it arrives, but we are in a period of consultation already about whether residents in that area want to continue with a governance review or not.”

Read more:

• Harrogate town council: What is it and what would it cost taxpayers?
• Decision on Harrogate town council could take two years

Currently, Harrogate and Scarborough are the only major towns in North Yorkshire not to be parished and there have been growing calls for new town councils to be created.

Those calls were first ignited when the government announced that North Yorkshire’s existing county and district councils would be scrapped from April 1 next year when a new unitary authority will take control of the whole county.

A central pledge in the major shake-up was what leaders described as a “double devolution” of powers, with plans for all town and parish councils to be given the chance to take on greater responsibilities.

Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council.

This could include a Harrogate town council running services such as parks, tourism and events.

However, it remains unclear on exactly what responsibilities would be filtered down and how much residents would have to pay to fund them.

In Knaresborough and Ripon, residents currently pay their respective town and city councils £25.27 and £70.77 per year.

At last night’s meeting, Cllr Cooper said it was crucial that Harrogate residents knew how much they would pay and for which services before a town council is created.

He said: 

“Asking the public if they want a new town council without informing them what it might do and how much extra council tax they would have to pay is not a meaningful conversation.

“And if as everyone tells me that the people of Harrogate are clamouring for a town council, then what do we have to fear?”

Cllr Pat Marsh, leader of the Liberal Democrat group, also said: 

“I have absolutely no problem with a referendum – that is good liberal democracy.

“We can ask North Yorkshire to hold one, but I am slightly worried that they will reject it and continue with the process they have started.”

The areas which would be served by a Harrogate town council include:

• High Harrogate and Kingsley
• Valley Gardens and Central Harrogate
• Fairfax and Starbeck
• Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone
• Harlow and St Georges
• Bilton Grange and New Park
• Bilton and Nidd Gorge
• Most of Coppice Valley and Duchy
• Parts of Oatlands and Pannal
• Parts of Killinghall, Hampsthwaite and Saltergate

To have your say on the current consultation, go to the county council website here.

Harrogate rail passengers have been warned to expect significant disruption to LNER services from October 1 to 9.

Major engineering works in the Newcastle area by Network Rail will affect many services on the LNER route during this period.

LNER operates six daily direct trains from Harrogate to London.

An LNER spokesman said:

“Journeys between Newcastle and Edinburgh will be affected, with some services diverted via the West Coast Main Line or by coach replacement, resulting in longer travel times.

“LNER services to and from Harrogate, Bradford, Lincoln, Middlesbrough, Thornaby, Hull, Selby, Brough and Sunderland will also be affected.

“Customers in these areas should use local services to connect with LNER services on the East Coast Main Line.”

Read more:

• Northern’s new timetable includes early Harrogate to Leeds trains
• Murderer fell asleep after ‘brutally’ killing man in Harrogate

Some LNER services will also be amended on Monday, October 10 when the work is completed.

Rail strikes are scheduled to take place on October 1 and 5, causing further disruption to passengers on the York to Leeds service, which passes through Harrogate and Knaresborough, among other places.

The LNER spokesman added:

“We are reviewing the impact of this proposed action but expect an extremely limited timetable to be in place.

“During this period, we are advising customers to check before they travel and ensure they have a  seat reservation  as we are expecting trains to be extremely busy.”

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

A free seven-week course will help entrepreneurs in Harrogate get their start-up businesses off the ground.

Up to 30 places are available on the Strive course, run by York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub, City of York Council, Harrogate Borough Council, & Enterprise CUBE.

Beginning on Tuesday, October 4, it will offer a series of workshops and individual advice sessions and challenges, before giving out £2,500 of prizes at the end of the programme.

Topics will include creating a brand, taking payments, building an online presence, and dealing with the legal and tax requirements of setting up a business.

Laura Mumford, an award-winning entrepreneur from Enterprise CUBE, said:

“We’re finding more and more people are looking at other ways to make their own income through starting their own business.

“We’re seeing lots of people join our courses who want to start building a business now, to have some extra security, and extra income coming in.”

A free taster session takes place in the Minster Room at Harrogate Civic Centre on Tuesday, September 27 from 7-9pm. The course will run via Zoom.

To find out more or book a place, visit the course page on the York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub website.

Read more:

• Business Breakfast: Harrogate law firm facilitates Norwich City FC deal
• Business Breakfast: Knaresborough company to build solar farm

Director appointed to Harrogate district law firm

An experienced solicitor has joined a practice in the Harrogate district as a director.

Mark Jones, who was previously partner at Harrowells in York as well as at LCF Law and Raworths in the past, joins Newtons to work on wills, probate, trusts and estates, including inheritance tax planning, from its Ripon and Harrogate offices.

As well as being a long-serving member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, he is a committee member of Harrogate and District Law Society.

Mr Jones said:

“Having known [Newtons managing director] Chris Newton for well over 20 years, I’ve watched with great admiration what he has achieved in building Newtons into the firm it is today from scratch. I’m delighted to have the opportunity to be part of that journey.”

This article is sponsored by Kliniken.

Keen runners who regularly pound the pavements know that aches and pains in the knees can be a real problem.

Kliniken, Yorkshire’s state-of-the-art day surgery clinic, has introduced a new procedure that uses stem cells extracted from fat to help heal osteoarthritis or joint pain in the knee and avoid painful knee replacement surgery.

It means that keen runners who are experiencing pain now can have treatment that allows them to run pain-free for longer without having to experience more pain or having to suffer a knee replacement later in life.

How does it work?

The procedure itself focuses on utilising fat stem cells to aid regeneration within the area affected, through use of targeted injections at the problem regions and joints.

This can help those suffering on the spectrum of pain, from a mild ache all the way up to those who may be due to have knee replacements using metal – a far more invasive form of surgery.

If you are experiencing any pain when running then contact Kliniken to see if this stem cell treatment might be the right thing for you.

The treatment avoids painful knee surgery.

Life-changing procedure

The UK’s leading surgeon on stem cell treatment is delighted to be bringing a life-changing procedure to Yorkshire.

Mr Mallappa Kolar’s expertise in stem cell treatments has allowed him to pioneer this procedure for the first time within the UK, aiding patients with often crippling, painful osteoarthritis.

Mr Kolar said:

“Kliniken is the only location within the UK to offer this type of (fat) stem cell procedures. Unlike other procedures available, these pioneering stem cell injection treatments mean the body is healing the body, and it does not involve any metal insertion into the patient’s body.

“Unfortunately, knee replacements cannot be reversed and most younger people who have to get a replacement are more likely to need a revision later in life which is a major undertaking.”

Please call us on 01423 206388 or visit our website at kliniken.co.uk for more information.

A play exploring the life of one of Harrogate’s most famous citizens premieres at the Royal Hall tomorrow — a theatre he helped to build.

Samson Fox, who died in 1903, was an inventor, philanthropist and Harrogate mayor, whose legacy is evident throughout the town.

The Man Who Captured Sunlight explores Samson’s life and controversial legal battle with author Jerome K Jerome.

Yorkshire actor Joe Standerline stars as the inventor, whose ideas had a major impact around the world.

His greatest creation, the corrugated boiler flue, saved thousands of lives and revolutionised engine construction.

His philanthropic legacy to the arts includes the creation of the Royal Hall and the Royal College of Music in London.

Speaking to the Stray Ferret at the dress rehearsal, Mr Standerline said:

“He takes interesting to another level. I feel a bit boring in comparison. There is definitely pressure to become one of the most uber human beings that has ever walked the planet. The guy was simply amazing.

“I think the people of Harrogate are definitely in for a treat. We’ve put the work in and we now get to play in this astounding theatre. Samson paid for a fair dollop of the place. We are ready now to project this piece.

“It’s part biopic, part period drama. The language in it is absolutely delicious and it’s surprisingly funny.”

As the great grandfather to actors Edward and James Fox, Samson also helped to create the UK’s most famed theatrical acting dynasty.

His grandchildren and great-grandchildren have starred in major TV shows and movies, from Edward Fox in the Day of the Jackal, to Emilia Fox in Silent Witness, and Freddie Fox in The Crown.

Read more:

• Famous acting family set for play premiere in Harrogate
• Royal Hall Proms returns to Harrogate next month

Freddie Fox will attend the matinee performance and take part in an audience Q&A. The actor Joanna David, Freddie’s mother, will also attend.

Freddie Fox (photo by Tavistock Wood) and Samson Fox.

Mr Standerline, who has appeared in TV series such as ITV’s Victoria, joked:

“I’ll just say I’m perfectly fine with it. There’s no pressure at all performing in front of one of the greatest acting dynasties in the whole history of cinema and the theatre.”

Mr Standerline said the people of Harrogate had been extremely welcoming. He added:

“It’s been great spending the last few weeks here, integrating ourselves into the community that we are representing. It is a responsibility and we are taking it seriously and we can’t wait to get people in these seats.”

Born into poverty

Samson was born into poverty in Bradford in 1838 and worked in the mills from the age of nine. An impresario of his day, he famously ‘bottled the sun’ as Harrogate’s streets became the first thoroughfares in the world to be lit with his Fox Water-Gas.

Samson Fox and his family.

The play, written by Doctor Who writer Gavin Collinson, charts Samson’s meteoric rise, followed by the 19th century libel trial involving the author and editor, Jerome K Jerome.

Mr Collinson told the Stray Ferret:

“What I wanted to do is show his human side, show his family, show his heart. I wanted to show everything he risked, which was his considerable fortune, to clear his name. I also wanted to look into his ambiguities. Was he a good man? Hopefully that’s something the play explores.

“When the opportunity came up to tell his story, it was something I couldn’t refuse.

“The Fox family have read the script and they were incredibly kind. I hope they enjoy it tomorrow.

“I’m in awe of all the cast. I just sit there and write the lines but they bring it to life.

“I hope the people in Harrogate will enjoy the play. It’s a cast of Northern voices. There’s a reality and celebration of where we are from and I hope people embrace that.”

Cause UK, the Harrogate-based creative agency, has produced and sponsored  the play.

The Man Who Captured Sunlight premieres in Harrogate’s Royal Hall tomorrow, with the matinee at 2.30pm and evening performance at 7pm. Buy tickets here.

Fed-up residents living in one of Harrogate’s busiest areas for new housing have called a ban on open-top construction lorries – but the council says it has no powers to take action.

After years of disruptions from the building of 700 new homes, Kingsley residents last night called on Harrogate Borough Council to only allow sealed wagons in and out of the area, which has rapidly expanded in size and will continue to do so for years to come.

John Hansard, a member of Kingsley Ward Action Group, told a full council meeting that the authority had an obligation to protect residents from harm and that this has “fallen very far short of acceptable levels”.

He said:

“We are simply requesting that we are no longer poisoned by harmful and dangerous construction waste.”

However, Cllr Tim Myatt, cabinet member for planning at the council, said the authority did not have evidence that the dust was toxic and that a ban on open-top lorries could not be enforced.

He said: 

“It is a highly unusual practice to require sealed containers to transport items to and from development sites.

“This can not be retrospectively imposed as a planning condition and neither residents or members of the planning committee asked for this to be conditioned at the time of the application.

“Further, the local highways authority has informed the borough council that they would not be able to mandate the use of sealed containers.

“They believe the use of such can only be required for certain processes such as the removal of radioactive material and asbestos.”

Cllr Myatt also said housing developers had repeated their offer to clean roads and pavements in the area, but this was “vociferously opposed” by residents.

Read more:

• Plea for ‘moratorium’ on controversial 181-home Kingsley development
• Starbeck residents pledge to fight 181-home Kingsley Drive plans ‘tooth and nail’

Construction work in Kingsley began in 2019 and residents have long complained that not enough has been done to minimise disruptions to their daily lives.

There have also been complaints that improvements to roads, public transport, health services and community facilities have not kept up with the level of new housing in the area.

Around 700 new homes are already built or under construction, with hundreds more in the pipeline.

Mr Hansard told yesterday’s meeting that without action from the council, residents would continue to be left to “suffer the consequences”.

He said: 

“These wagons have continually polluted Kingsley Road over a three year period, causing potential long-term serious illness for residents.

“We reluctantly understand that the road has to be used for access to the construction sites, but this must not be at the risk to the health of residents.”

Police have revealed they found murderer Vitalijus Koreiva asleep in the same flat as his victim when they went to investigate.

Gracijus Balciauskas, 41, was killed on Mayfield Grove on December 20, 2021.

Vitalijus Koreiva, 37, and Jaroslaw Rutowicz, 39, were jailed for murder and manslaughter respectively at Leeds Crown Court this morning.

After the sentencing, North Yorkshire Police described how the shocking incident unfolded.

Supermarket staff dialled 999 after being approached by a man who told them “someone is dead”.

Rutowicz took officers to the flat on Mayfield Grove where they found the body of a man wrapped in a large rug in a bedroom. A post mortem later showed he had suffered severe injuries to his head and torso.

Koreiva, who was asleep on the sofa, was arrested along with Rutowicz.

The crime scene at the flat on Mayfield Grove in December 2021. 

Police analysed Rutowicz’s phone and found “disturbing and graphic videos” showing assaults on the victim on the day of his death.

In one clip, filmed at 5.52am, the victim was kicked in the head and in the ribs, and cried out in pain.

In another clip, filmed at 7.02am, Rutowicz, who was holding the phone, tried to roll the victim over and give him a cigarette. A clip filmed at 7.21am showed the victim lying on the floor with his eyes closed.

In interview, Koreiva told police he had gone to sleep and when he woke up he found Mr Balciauskas dead on the floor, and got a rug to put over him.

Separately, Rutowicz told officers that Koreiva had assaulted him before attacking the victim. But both Koreiva and Rutowicz were charged in connection with his death.

North Yorkshire Police today released CCTV showing Koreiva and Rutowicz buying alcohol hours before the attack happened.

Read more on the case:

• Harrogate murder trial hears that body was found in a rug
• Harrogate murder suspect claims he feared for his own life after ‘brutal’ assault
• Man sentenced to life in prison for Harrogate Mayfield Grove murder

Jailing Koreiva for life this morning, Judge Rodney Jameson KC told him the attack need not have been fatal “had you not tried to drunkenly cover up what you had done”.

Rutowicz was jailed for 12 years for the manslaughter of Mr Balciauskas.

Guilty: Jaroslaw Rutowicz (left) and Vitalijus Koreiva.

DCI Jonathan Sygrove, from North Yorkshire Police’s major investigation team, said: 

“The level of violence used against Gracijus Balciauskas was nothing short of brutal. The victim was subjected to a horrific assault, which led to his death. And shockingly, Mr Balciauskas was filmed with a mobile phone while he lay dying.

“When they were interviewed, Koreiva and Rutowicz blamed each other, but ultimately the evidence showed their involvement. It is right that they have now been brought to justice, and must face the consequences of their actions.”

‘A friendly and jovial person’

In a statement issued following today’s sentencing, Mr Balciauskas’ family said:

“As a family we have been deeply affected by Gracijus’ death. We will always remember him as a friendly and jovial person. Even as the months pass, the pain of his loss still remains.

“We want to deeply thank the officers and investigators at North Yorkshire Police with the investigation and doing everything they could to bring justice for him and for all of us too. We also give thanks to Victim Support for supporting us through something that no family should ever go through.

“We also thank everyone at the Harrogate Homeless Unit for supporting Gracijus any way they could when he was still alive.”

A popular village pub near Knaresborough has been put on the market for the first time in almost three decades.

The freehold of The Malt Shovel at Brearton has been listed for sale on property website RightMove at £550,000.

Owners Charlotte and Les Mitchell have decided to sell up after 28 years, having leased the pub for the last 18 years before retiring to Cumbria in 2015. Ms Mitchell said:

“When Les and I moved from the Scottish Highlands with our young children, we chose The Malt Shovel because of its prime setting in a beautiful village, within the aptly named ‘golden triangle’ between Harrogate, York and North Leeds.

“We fell in love with the sizeable and atmospheric, yet always welcoming, bar and dining areas and the four-bedroom apartment upstairs was perfect for our family. In fact, Brearton and The Malt Shovel ticked all the boxes.

“That was back in 1994 and 28 years later that has not been altered. It is still a superb village to live and work in and the catchment area remains affluent, popular and aspirational.

“The current lease is coming to an end, and aged 74 and 62, we think it’s time to pass this iconic building and business on to a new enthusiastic owner who can take it forward.”

The leasehold of the pub was last sold in 2017 for £40,000.

The property is now being marketed by Christie & Co, including the four-bedroom flat, which the company said gave it “potential to become a residential dwelling” or for letting accommodation.

The particulars describe the pub as “character-filled” but “neither listed nor an asset of community value”. The turnover is listed as £467,000, with an annual rental income of £38,000 or 11% of turnover from the current tenants who plan to continue to run the pub until a sale completes.

The pub has 65 covers inside and 35 outside, with parking for 15 cars. Christie & Co said it is currently fully booked for Christmas parties and there was potential to grow trade significantly outside the current opening hours of 12-3pm and 6-9pm Wednesday to Saturday, and noon until 6pm on Sunday, during which it is “trading exceptionally”.

Read more:

• Dacre Banks pub gives warning as it faces £65,000 energy bill
• Harrogate pub Christies reopens after refurb

The company highlighted the pub’s strong rating on TripAdvisor as well as its position in “one of the most desirable villages in North Yorkshire”.

Alex Rex, senior business agent in Christie & Co’s Pubs & Restaurants team, is handling the sale. He said:

“The sale of The Malt Shovel in Brearton offers an exciting opportunity for a new owner to carry on a highly reputable hospitality business or alternatively, acquire a great piece of real estate with potential for multiple uses, in a highly desirable village.

“There is a real shortage of good quality freehold, free of tie, properties on the market in North Yorkshire currently and the business is offered for a fantastic price, so we don’t expect it to be on the market for long.”

A man has been sentenced to life in prison after brutally murdering Gracijus Balciauskas at a flat on Mayfield Grove in Harrogate last year.

Vitalijus Koreiva, 37, was jailed at Leeds Crown Court this morning after being found guilty of murder by a jury in July.

Polish national Jaroslaw Rutowicz, 39, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for manslaughter for his part in the crime.

Mr Balciauskas, from Lithuania, was just 41 years old when he was killed.

Wrapped in a rug

The sentencing comes as a trial in July heard that Mr Balciauskas’s body was found wrapped in a rug after a lengthy drinking binge involving the three friends turned violent on December 20, 2021.

CCTV footage was shown of the men leaving the flat to buy more alcohol on several occasions in the hours leading to the murder.

Rutowicz told the court how Koreiva, who is Lithuanian, erupted during a drunken game of chess with Mr Balciauskas at 5am, which led to Koreiva punching and then kicking him.

Read more on the trial:

• Harrogate murder trial hears that body was found in a rug
• Harrogate murder suspect claims he feared for his own life after ‘brutal’ assault
• Doubt cast on Harrogate murder suspect’s claim
• Harrogate man ‘out of his mind’ on alcohol admits attacking friend

Harrowing video footage taken on Rutowicz’s phone of a bloodied and bruised Mr Balciauskas was shown in court. The clips showed him being kicked by Koreiva whilst he was laying defenceless on the floor pleading for help.

In one of the videos, Rutowicz was heard shouting at Mr Balciauskas in Polish:

“Why the f*** did you send us there? Now you look like this.”

During the trial, Rutowicz said he had been threatened by Koreiva with his life if he called 999 after Mr Balciauskas died. He said Koreiva’s nickname in Harrogate was the “crazy Russian” and he had an unpredictable character.

Murder victim Gracijus Balciauskas pictured in Knaresborough.

However, prosecuting barrister Peter Moulson QC poured scorn on his claim and accused Rutowicz of lying.

Mr Balciauskas died of internal bleeding after being kicked in the spleen and suffering multiple injuries to the torso.

‘Drunken cover up’

Judge Rodney Jameson KC told Koreiva this morning that Mr Balciauskas’ injuries would not have been fatal “had you not tried to drunkly cover up what you had done”.

Addressing Rutowicz, Judge Jameson described his actions as “calculating” and that he wanted to “avoid responsibility”.

He said:

“You could have prevented this from happening, but instead you chose to encourage it.

“You spent many hours considering how to avoid responsibility.”

Koreiva will serve a minimum of 13 years in prison before he is considered for parole. Should he be released, he will spend the rest of his life on licence.

A contractor has been lined up to carry out the £68.8 million re-alignment of the A59 at Kex Gill in the Harrogate district.

North Yorkshire County Council has awarded preferred bidder status to John Sisk & Son (Holdings) Ltd, an Irish civil engineering and construction firm. A council spokeswoman said the value of the contract was “commercially confidential”.

John Sisk & Son was involved in the delivery of the 2012 London Olympics and the capital’s Crossrail project.

The decision is dependent on funding from the Department for Transport, which is currently reviewing the full business case. A decision is expected next month.

Contractors will move on site in December to clear the moorland by late February next year to avoid the bird nesting season. An estimated completion date is May 2025.

The A59 at Kex Gill, near Blubberhouses, is the main route between Harrogate and Skipton. Since 2000, the route has been closed 12 times following landslips.

The DfT awarded a £56.1 million grant for the realignment towards an original budget estimate of £61.6 million. The county council agreed to pay the remainder from its capital reserves.

The project has faced numerous delays and following tender returns, the estimated cost of the scheme increased by £7.2m to £68.8m, which the council attributes to due to inflation affecting constructions costs.

It therefore approved an increase in its allocated funding from £5.5m to £12.7m, given the DfT grant is fixed.

Asked whether the scheme would require detours and road closures, a council spokesewoman said:

“It’s very early to say for certain at this stage. However, we don’t envisage road closures or detours. The majority of work is offset from the existing A59 alignment being on the opposite side of the valley.”

Cllr Keane Duncan

Cllr Keane Duncan, the council’s executive member for highways and transportation,  said:

“This is a key step forward for the Kex Gill re-alignment, which is one of the council’s most ambitious ever highways projects.

“The A59 provides a very important east-west connection in North Yorkshire and the route is listed by the government in the top 10 for strategic importance nationally.

“Re-aligning the route is the only real solution so we are pleased to now be at the stage where we are ready to appoint a contractor.

“We remain committed to carrying out this key project as quickly as possible and in the most cost-effective way.”

‘Light at end of tunnel’

Cllr Nathan Hull (pictured above), a Conservative who represents Washburn and Birstwith on the council, said:

“There’s light at the end of the tunnel with this project now that we have a preferred contractor and a start date in mind.

“The re-aligned route, which will leave the A59 at North Moor Road and re-join the existing road at Blubberhouses, will be safe and reliable for residents, businesses and visitors for generations to come.”

Read more:

• Council warns of ‘high risks’ as Kex Gill cost soars to £69m
• £60m Kex Gill contract to be awarded

Sisk’s Yorkshire projects include completing the Leeds Public Transport Investment Programme City Centre Gateways and is delivering major infrastructure work at York Central.

Dominic Hodges, managing director of Sisk, said:

“The scheme is technically challenging with complex engineering solutions required within an environmentally sensitive area.

“We are working collaboratively with all stakeholders to develop an innovative scheme and look forward to working with the local community to leave a lasting legacy.”