A Knaresborough man has admitted committing indecent exposure at Harrogate library.

Billy Wood, 30, of Windsor Lane, pleaded guilty to the offence when he appeared before magistrates in York on Saturday.

The incident took place on July 15 this year.

Wood also admitted indecent exposure on Kingsley Drive in Harrogate on Thursday last week.

He pleaded guilty to a third charge of possessing cannabis at Harrogate police station, also on Thursday last week.

Wood was bailed until September 9, when he is due to appear before Harrogate magistrates after a pre-sentence report is prepared.

His bail conditions stipulated that he is electronically tagged and subject to a curfew at home between 9pm and 6am daily.

Harrogate Borough Council could be forced to use cash reserves after forecasting a £700,000 overspend on this year’s budget due to soaring energy and fuel costs.

The authority has proposed to set aside half-a-million pounds in emergency money in case it is unable to balance the books at the end of its final year.

With sharp rises in energy prices expected in autumn, the council has forecast to spend an extra £1 million on gas, £750,000 on electricity and £366,000 on fuel to keep its buildings and services running this year.

Paul Foster, head of finance at the council, told an overview and scrutiny meeting on Monday that it would be a “worst case scenario” if cash reserves were used and that it was still “early days” in predicting how the year would pan out.

He said: 

“There is an overspend position which is not something we have experienced – even during covid we managed to out-turn on budget.

“Hopefully the position on utilities may improve.

“We haven’t had any bills yet and this will be updated as the year progresses.”

Read more:

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Mr Foster added increased energy costs were expected to be partially offset by extra recycling income.

He also said money was being saved due to staff vacancies and that these savings were expected to rise further as the council is currently experiencing a high turnover of workers.

Yet the forecast is still a cause for concern for the authority, which this time last year was predicting an underspend of £32,000 for 2022/23.

Household energy bills could top £4,000

The news comes as households have been warned annual energy bills could hit £4,266 next year.

The estimate from consultancy firm Cornwall Insight means the average household would be paying £355 a month, instead of £164 a month currently.

The government has already announced all households will receive £400 off their fuel bills this autumn when eight million of the poorest will get an additional £325.

There will be a separate £300 payment to help pensioners – also expected to assist eight million households.

But Labour has called on the government to go further, with party leader Keir Starmer set to call for a freeze on the energy price cap which determines the maximum amount suppliers can charge customers.

Previously, the level of the cap was only reviewed every six months, but UK energy regulator Ofgem changed the rules this year, meaning that it is expected to rise in both October and again in January.

North Yorkshire Police is appealing for information about an assault in Harrogate in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The incident happened on Parliament Street at about 4.30am when a man, who was walking up the street towards Piccolino restaurant, was grabbed by the throat and thrown to the ground.

A police statement this afternoon said:

“The victim received minor injuries in the incident and we are requesting the public’s assistance to help establish the full circumstances.

“In particular, we are appealing for information about a man who was stood with a small group of other men near to Piccolinos, who is described as around 35 years old, six feet tall and with short brown hair.

“Officers believe he may hold important information which would assist the investigation.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident, or who recognises the description of the man is asked to email gareth.evans@northyorkshire.police.uk.

You can also call North Yorkshire Police on 101. Quote reference 12220144503.

If you wish to remain anonymous you can also contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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Searches are continuing for missing man Jesus Moreno who disappeared more than two weeks ago after catching a bus bound for Harrogate.

The brewer was spotted on CCTV catching a 36 bus from Leeds bus station at 6.10am on Monday, August 1.

He got off the bus at Swindon Lane near Dunkeswick, just north of Harewood bridge on the A61, at 6.39am. He was then seen on CCTV near the bridge at 8.14am.

Images released by West Yorkshire Police of missing man Jesus Moreno

A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police today said there have been no further sightings of him since then and officers are continuing to appeal for information from anyone who may have seen him.

The 41-year-old’s family, friends and colleagues at Piglove Brewing Co have continued to post on social media to try to trace him. Posters have also appeared around Harrogate asking people to check their CCTV and dashcam footage from the Harewood area on Monday, August 1.

In a video posted to the company’s social media accounts, they said:

“We need to ask you now not just to think if you’ve seen him, but we need you to look at your CCTV throughout the week from Monday, August 1 all the way up to today.

“If you live anywhere near the Harewood bridge, anywhere near the A61, Netherby, Weeton, East Keswick, these types of places, we’re calling out for people now.

“We’ve got to get our brother home safe.”

Last Monday, a week after his disappearance, police said they were concerned for Jesus’s welfare and were going to begin searching the areas near where he was last seen.

Anyone with information can call West Yorkshire Police on 101 quoting reference 13220422334.

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When Leeds City Council met to approve plans for a new conference venue last week, the authority would have hoped for a straightforward decision.

But that was not the case after a flurry of objections came in at the eleventh hour from Harrogate groups who fear the proposals could drive business away from the town and its convention centre.

Those objections were spearheaded by Paula Lorimer, director of Harrogate Convention Centre, who slammed a study which suggested the impact of the Leeds venue would be minimal as “flawed, inaccurate, out of date and in some areas, totally wrong”.

The proposals for the former Yorkshire Bank HQ were submitted in March and Ms Lorimer claimed there had been an “absence of dialogue” from Leeds City Council.

She said she only found out about the plans last week – just days after they had been recommended for approval.

Yet the city council hit back by saying Ms Lorimer and Harrogate Borough Council’s chief executive Wallace Sampson had been alerted to the proposals months before they were submitted.

A city council officer said:

“This was August last year… we haven’t heard anything since.”

Ms Lorimer responded to say the proposed venue was now a third bigger than originally planned and that the study which suggested up to 6% of trade could be diverted away from Harrogate Convention Centre had been underestimated by 50%.

She told last Thursday’s meeting:

“We would have expected to be consulted in advance of this application.

“If this had taken place we may have avoided having to take the route we have done today by objecting.

“Unfortunately we were left with no choice.”

Read more:

• Harrogate Convention Centre to face competition from Leeds events venue
• Harrogate Convention Centre ‘could lose £250 million without investment’
• Fears for Harrogate Convention Centre if new Leeds venue goes ahead

Harrogate Borough Council’s tourism body Destination Harrogate and the town’s Crown Hotel have all come out against the plans.

Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce and Harrogate Business Improvement District are also objecting.

In a letter to the city council, Destination Harrogate said the Leeds venue could have a “hugely detrimental impact” on Harrogate’s tourism offer which it described as the “very lifeblood of this town”.

Harrogate Convention Centre.

The letter also said it is “essential” that a proposed £49 million development of Harrogate Convention Centre is supported, while the Leeds plans should be “re-evaluated”.

It said:

“Failure to do so exposes the Harrogate district and its hospitality sector to significant employment threats and economic damage.”

‘Just taking 1% will have an impact’

David Simister, chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, also said in another letter: 

“Harrogate Convention Centre plays a significant role in the Harrogate district’s economy – it attracts visitors from all over the world to events, exhibitions and shows.

“It helps support a wealth of businesses – hotels, guest houses, restaurants and in turn their suppliers and it brings jobs.

“Having worked in the hospitality sector, I know how vital Harrogate Convention Centre is to Harrogate town centre, and even taking 1% of trade will have an impact on the town and businesses.”

Bringing a conference venue to Leeds has been a long term ambition of the city council which will no doubt be determined to push ahead with the plans.

The question is how much weight it will give to the objections from Harrogate Convention Centre, business groups and the borough council which have always been considered friendly neighbours to Leeds.

The proposals will now be brought back to another meeting of the city council in September.

The Environment Agency declared drought status in Yorkshire today due to low water levels.

This year’s prolonged spell of dry weather has led to exceptionally low river flows and reservoirs levels in the county.

Last week’s heatwave has added further pressure on the water network.

Moving to drought status means that the Environment Agency and Yorkshire Water can implement stricter controls on water use.

Yorkshire Water has already announced a hosepipe ban that will come into effect from August 26.

The last drought in Yorkshire was declared in autumn 2018.

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The region joins large parts of England which moved to drought status on August 12.

Victoria Slingsby, environment planning and engagement manager for the Environment Agency in Yorkshire, said:

“The high temperatures we are experiencing have exacerbated pressures on wildlife and our water environment in Yorkshire. These extreme weather conditions become more likely with climate change.

“We are experiencing some much-needed rain this week, but it will not be enough to correct weeks of dry weather, and it will take more prolonged rainfall to wet up soils and replenish rivers, reservoirs and groundwater levels.

“It’s important for everyone to manage the amount of water they are using in this exceptionally dry period.”

This article is sponsored by The Micro Agency.

A Harrogate company has won an award for digital marketing agency of the year after being praised for its “personal touch”.

The Micro Agency, which is based at Harrogate Business Centre, was awarded the title at the Innovation and Excellence Awards 2022.

Founded by married couple Carly Chaffer and Gary Hartley, the agency was given the award after judges recognised their “personal touch”, “consistency of reviews” and “community feel”.

Judges were also impressed with how the couple managed to retain clients during the covid pandemic. The agency has since looked to grow off the back of this as more companies invest in digital opportunities.

The company was founded three years ago after Carly and Gary decided to leave their previous freelance work behind and team up to launch the agency.

The couple wanted to combine their skills and offer something more personal for clients.

As part of the agency, Carly heads up the marketing side and Gary handles the website design and development.

Together, the couple boast 35 years experience in the industry and pride themselves on being approachable and personable with clients.

‘It was brilliant’

Ahead of picking up the award at a ceremony in December in Leeds, Carly said it was an unbelievable achievement for the couple.

She said:

“It was brilliant to find out the news.

“We know we are not the biggest, but we pride ourselves on getting results and building long-term relationships with our clients.”

But, the couple are no strangers to picking up awards.

Over her 15 years in the industry, Carly was was named as one of the Top 30 Women Under 30 in Digital by global media platform The Drum and was also shortlisted for Young Achiever of the Year at the Sue Ryder Awards.

For the future, the pair hope to continue their personal approach to clients and continue to grow their base.

For more information on The Micro Agency, visit their website.

Films showing archived footage of Harrogate and Knaresborough are set to be screened for the public next month.

Yorkshire Film Archive will show the specially curated films at the Odeon cinema in Harrogate on September 19.

It will feature clips showing Harrogate in the 1930s, the Knaresborough bed race in the 1970s and rare footage of the Odeon being opened.

The collection of amateur, professional and television clips will also show the area’s film heritage, including news footage of the filming of Agatha starring Dustin Hoffman in the late 1970s.

Graham Relton, Yorkshire Film Archive manager, said: 

“YFA hold such an amazing collection of Harrogate and Knaresborough films, meaning that – as always – my biggest curation challenge has been what to leave out! I’m looking forward to sharing old favourites and previously unseen footage from our vaults.

“I believe the screening will really connect with audiences and the icing on the cake would be for someone to recognise themselves on screen as we reveal old footage and new perspectives on these beautiful spa towns.”

A still of Knaresborough Bed Race in the 1970s. Picture: Yorkshire Film Archive.

The screenings have been commissioned by Harrogate Civic Society and Harrogate Film Society.

Screenings of the 90-minute films will take place at the cinema on East Parade in Harrogate at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.

Paula Stott, from Harrogate Film Society, said: 

“During lockdown, the film society hugely enjoyed a series of online film screenings presented by YFA and, together with Harrogate Civic Society, we are delighted to finally welcome them back in person with a new selection of footage that will appeal to anyone interested in the history and changing face of our town.”

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Stuart Holland, chair of Harrogate Civic Society, added:

“It fits in so well with the civic society strap line of ‘celebrating the past, enhancing the present and shaping the future’. 

“We can learn so much from the past and that helps us shape the future. There is so much passion shown by residents of both Harrogate and Knaresborough to learn more about our history, and I know this screening will not disappoint.”

You can purchase tickets for the screenings at the Harrogate Film Society website.

A new scoreboard at Harrogate Town has been approved as part of the club’s stadium redevelopment.

The digital screen will sit in the south west corner of the EnviroVent Stadium.

Besides displaying the score, it will show substitutions made during a game and other match information, such as transport or safety news.

Harrogate Borough Council has now given approval for the plan.

The EnviroVent Stadium on Wetherby Road is due to undergo a £3.5 million upgrade, funded by chairman Irving Weaver.

A statement submitted to the council said:

“The new scoreboard will complement the stadium and improve the spectator experience.”

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• Harrogate Town to spend £3.5m improving ground

The club has said it is the board’s ambition to create a “sustainable and thriving club, for future generations to enjoy”.

The club also has to abide by English Football League criteria for its ground following Town’s promotion to League Two in 2020.

The proposals include a new seated stand, match day bar and improved ticketing facilities.

The ground on Wetherby Road has been home to the Sulphurites since 1920, but in recent years it has struggled to keep pace with the club’s rapid rise up the divisions into the English Football League.

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

A Harrogate law firm has promoted one of its solicitors to senior associate.

Brian Nuttney has been awarded the promotion at McCormicks Solicitors.

Mr Nuttney works in the crime and fraud department and appears regularly in the magistrates’ courts and police stations across North Yorkshire and further afield.

Partner Peter Minnikin, head of the department, said: 

“Brian is an important part of what is a very busy team – as illustrated by our recent appointments of two new lawyers – and his promotion is well deserved.”

Prior to his career in law, Mr Nuttney was a successful journalist and worked as deputy editor for a number of regional newspapers.

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Linley and Simpson parent company acquires property agency

The parent company of Harrogate estate agent Linley and Simpson has acquired an online property agency.

Lomond Group has bought the multi-regional agent Property Hub Lets and its 700 properties across Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham.

The management of the properties will now be transferred over to high street branches, including Linley and Simpson.

Will Linley, co-founder of Linley and Simpson and managing director of the Lomond Group, said: 

“This is the first time we have acquired an agency that operated exclusively online, and are thrilled with the high-quality portfolio we have inherited.

“It represents a perfect synergy for us as we already have a strong presence across the majority of major cities that Property Hub Lets covers. We now look forward to transferring all these properties smoothly and speedily into a number of our local branches.

“This deal is our first multi-regional one in England – and a model we are looking to mirror in future acquisitions.

“It underlines the unique proposition of Linley and Simpson and the Lomond Group, and the strength of our network of regional brands where we are able to link together across huge swathes of the country to accommodate a diverse geographical portfolio. The deal also extends our portfolio reach into Liverpool for the first time.”