Local Harrogate News & Views around the district - Page 683 of 1199

North Yorkshire Police 999 response times ‘unacceptable’, says superintendent

A senior North Yorkshire Police officer has called the force’s average 999 response time of 20 seconds an “unacceptable number.”

Head of Operational Training, Planning & Logistics Superintendent, Michael Walker, made the comments as part of his update on the force’s performance at the monthly Public Accountability Meeting chaired by Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Zoë Metcalfe. He said:

“The average speed of answer is 20 seconds. The target is obviously 10 seconds, so that number is an unacceptable number, which I know is an unacceptable number. Which is why we’ve put in several measures… to improve that.”

Under Home Office targets, 90% of emergency calls should be answered in under 10 seconds.

The Stray Ferret reported last week that in July North Yorkshire Police were only answering 39.9% of these within the target period – the lowest in the country.

However, Supt Walker aimed to reassure the public that work was being done to reduce the problem.

He promised that there would be 10% more staff in the force’s York control room by the end of September.

Recruitment and training of new call handlers was already underway.

In the meantime, he explained, 20 police staff with previous experience of call handling had been brought in to assist the team.

This included serving police officers, though Supt Walker confirmed that they had only been moved where it had been deemed safe to do so.

He added that the force had a “determination” to improve.

Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Zoë Metcalfe and Superintendent Michael Walker in the Public Accountability Meeting.

Increased demand and pocket dials

Also discussed in the meeting was the increasing number of emergency calls.

The number of people calling 999 has increased since 2018, with a peak during the pandemic.

Supt Walker also revealed that one in 10 emergency calls were pocket dials.

That meant the force had to spend time call people back to ensure that there was no emergency taking place.

Nidd Gorge tree felling complete, but more likely to go next year

The felling of 500 trees with an infectious disease in the Nidd Gorge is now complete — but the Woodland Trust warns more are likely to be chopped down over the next couple of years.

Parts of the popular beauty spot in Bilton look a little different now after the felling, which has been taking place over the last month and involved the closure of some footpaths by the River Nidd.

The conservation charity, which owns Nidd Gorge, said the work was necessary to protect other trees in the woodland. The charity said it did not profit financially from the work.

The disease is called Phytophthora ramorum and has a devastating impact on native trees. Once infected, the tree eventually dies.

Larch trees like those found in Nidd Gorge are highly susceptible to the disease.

The Woodland Trust’s site manager, Jonny Walker, said:

“The planned felling work is complete. There is likely, however, to be more felling in the next 12 to 18 months. We are awaiting confirmation as to whether a further section of larch is also likely infected with Phytophthora ramorum and subject to a statutory plant health notice from the Forestry Commission.”

A poster about the works in Nidd Gorge

Planned work to improve footpaths will shortly be starting downstream of Rudding Bottoms with further disruption to footpath users.

But it is hoped once complete regular walkers should see safer, firmer footing along the riverside path.

Mr Walker added:

“There will also be removal of some diseased ash trees where they cause a danger to the public using the paths in the wood. Silvicultural work will also be taking place in the young woodland along Rudding Bottoms to promote varied canopy heights, gaps for sunlight, shelter for birds and invertebrates and to create deadwood habitat.

“All of which increase ecological integrity and are vital for a healthy woodland; something highlighted in State of the UK’s Woods and Trees report published by the Woodland Trust in 2021.”

Community invited to ‘fill up a parking space’ with food amid cost of living crisis

The Harrogate district community is set to come together this weekend to help hungry families struggling with the cost of living crisis.

People are being encouraged to fill a parking space with food at Morrisons, Boroughbridge, which will then be donated to food banks in the area.

The event, which will take place from 10am – 4pm on Saturday, is being led by the supermarket’s community champions, Sue Robson and Karen Cooper.

Ms Cooper said:

“As you are aware, the current financial climate is beginning to affect many local families and further putting already vulnerable households at risk of going hungry. Now, more than ever, people are needing to utilise the services of food banks.

We are joining forces with local food banks to create an event which hopefully should create awareness, and ultimately, provide more food for families in need.

“We hope this event will help to inspire our community to begin, or continue, to donate to local food banks, should they be in the position to do so.”

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Customers, staff, and the wider community are encouraged to come and donate non-perishable food and place it in an empty parking space, which will be cordoned off on the day.

The idea is that the parking space, or spaces, will be filled and then distributed to food banks in the area. These include Resurrected Bites, in Harrogate and Knaresborough, Boroughbridge Community Care and other local causes.

Customers can purchase food from pre-made pick-up packs at the supermarket, or can bring their own from home. They can also buy items off the shelves.

Reported sighting of missing Harrogate woman in Wetherby

North Yorkshire Police says a member of the public reported seeing missing Harrogate woman Judith Holliday in Wetherby yesterday, as officers continue to search for the missing 73-year-old.

Judith was last seen on Saturday at 10.43am at Library Gardens in Harrogate after she left her care home.

Police believe she may have walked from here to use public transport.

She is described as white, thin build, approximately 5ft in height, with medium-length grey bobbed hair. She was last seen wearing dark-coloured trousers and a coat.

The police have deployed their operational support unit as well as a drone to search for her in rural areas around Harrogate.

Extensive CCTV enquires are also taking place to try and establish any further positive sightings.

North Yorkshire Police critical incident inspector, Martin Smith said:

“We’re currently extremely concerned for the welfare of Judith. I believe that Judith has either walked from this location on foot or has used public transport.

“I would urge members of the public, in particular people in the Harrogate and Wetherby areas to remain vigilant, and report any sightings to police immediately.”

MPs watch: energy costs and sewage controversy

Every month the Stray Ferret tries to find out what our local MPs have been up to in their constituencies and in the House of Commons.

In August, Parliament was not sitting as it was in recess over the summer. Nonetheless, Conservative MPs faced questions over what the government was doing to tackle the cost of living crisis and allegations that they voted voted in favour of pumping raw sewage into rivers and the sea.

We asked our three Conservative MPs, Harrogate & Knaresborough’s Andrew Jones, Skipton and Ripon’s Julian Smith, and Selby and Ainsty’s Nigel Adams if they would like to highlight anything in particular that they have been doing this month, but, as usual, we did not receive a response from any of them.

Here is what we know after analysing their online presence.

Andrew Jones, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough.

Andrew Jones

In Harrogate and Knaresborough, here is what we found out on Mr Jones:

On August 3, Andrew Jones welcomed the Treasury’s response to his letter which ensured people connected to LPG gas bottles would get government support with their energy bills.
Mr Jones strongly criticised claims that he voted to allow the pumping of sewage into rivers and the sea. He said the claims were “simply a lie”.
Mr Jones called on people to get involved with the “national mission” to beat dementia by signing up to Join Dementia Research.
The former Rail Minister told Transport for the North that investing in public transport was “going to be a main part of how we recover from the economic problems caused by the pandemic and inflation,” as well as reducing carbon emissions.
Mr Jones also backed York to be the headquarters of the new government rail body Great British Railways.
On August 31, he held an advice surgery in Knaresborough market.

Julian Smith, MP for Ripon and Skipton.

Julian Smith

In Skipton and Ripon, here is what we found on Mr Smith:

On August 5, Mr Smith welcomed the £11,000 awarded by Historic England to the Ripon Museums Trust to investigate the lives of disabled people in the city’s workhouse.
Mr Smith regularly tweeted his support for Rishi Sunak in the Conservatives’ leadership election, which ends on September 5.
Mr Smith held meetings with small business owners in his constituency. He tweeted that it was “clear urgent intervention is also required” for small businesses as well as households.
On August 1, Mr Smith welcomed the devolution deal signed by North Yorkshire County Council, the City of York Council and the government, as well as Richard Flinton’s appointment as the chief executive of the new North Yorkshire Council.
Mr Smith tweeted that “the new UK PM & the EU need to listen and step up” over work to secure a deal on Brexit-related issues in Northern Ireland.

Nigel Adams, MP for Selby and Ainsty which includes rural Harrogate.

Nigel Adams

In rural south Harrogate, here is what we found on Mr Adams:

On August 1, Mr Adams said he was “delighted” by the new devolution deal.
Mr Adams posted on his website about the consultation to upgrade the A64 near York, on the main route between Harrogate and the North Yorkshire coast.
Mr Adams also hit back at claims that he had allowed the pumping of sewage into waterways. He tweeted that the “fake news brigade and their gullible followers aren’t interested in facts” relating to the UK’s sewage system.
It was reported that Mr Adams could be in line for a peerage in Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s list of resignation honours. Such a move would trigger a by-election in his constituency. Mr Adams previously confirmed that he would stand down at the next election.

Sneak peek at Harrogate’s new Cosy Club

Cosy Club is set to open the doors to its latest bar and restaurant in Harrogate today – so we went for a sneak peek.

The new venue is designed to bring “relaxed dining and drinking with a touch of timeless glamour” to Cambridge Street.

Cosy Club Harrogate has an arts and crafts feel with wallpaper originally designed in 1895.

Diners will find handmade table lamps throughout the restaurant and an eyecatching bar with bespoke, handmade stained-glass.

The all-day menus will include “fresh and modern classics” with “extensive brunch, gluten free and vegan options”.

The venue had a special opening evening last night.

Loungers Ltd runs the Cosy Club and Lounge brands. As of March 2022 the company operated 193 sites in England and Wales, including Claro Lounge in Ripon.

Amber Wood, managing director at Loungers Ltd, said ahead of the opening that Harrogate “has been a target of ours for some time”. She added:

“Our new restaurant offers a very strong location, linking the main retail and leisure pitches within the town. The externals of this historic building have been extensively renovated by our landlord, Broadland Properties.”

Loungers Ltd was founded by a trio of friends from Bristol: Dave Reid, Alex Reilley and Jake Bishop.

They opened their first first venue in Bristol in 2002 and then opened the first Cosy Club in Taunton eight years later. They set up the separate Cosy Club brand to cater for larger sites.

More photos from inside the Cosy Club

Government approves James Street flats plan

The government has approved plans to redevelop a retail unit on Harrogate’s James Street to create three flats.

The application was made by Leeds-based company SJM Cotech Ltd and included plans to create a three storey extension for the flats to the back of the site and create two ground floor retail units.

The developer revised the plans after submitting them in May 2021, which initially outlined proposals for four flats.

The property is located at 16 James Street, near the cut-through to the Victoria shopping centre. It fronts both on James Street and on Market Place to the rear. It was previously home to Thomas Cook, the travel agent.

SJM Cotech Ltd took the proposal to the government’s Planning Inspectorate after Harrogate Borough Council refused the plan in February this year.

Council officials said the proposal would fail to enhance or preserve the character of the conservation area.

In a decision notice, the council said:

“The rear historic offshoot is considered a heritage asset. The proposal seeks to remove and replace this without suitable justification.

“The proposal therefore would fail to enhance or preserve the character and appearance of the host building and Harrogate Conservation Area.”

It added that the proposal would also result in “poor levels of natural daylight to all apartments”.

However, TJ Burnham, a government planning inspector, said in a decision notice that “nothing within the evidence suggests that this would have any harmful effect on the living conditions of a future occupier”.

A decision notice from the inspector said:

“There would therefore be no significant harm to the living conditions of future occupiers of the flats with regard to the availability of daylight or ceiling height.”

It added:

“I have identified no conflict with the development plan and there are no material considerations to indicate that the appeal should be determined otherwise than in accordance with it. I therefore conclude that the appeal should be allowed.”

Harrogate men’s fashion retailer relocates to James Street

Men’s fashion retailer Lynx launched in Harrogate almost 40 years ago and opened a shop on West Park in 2003.

Now, the independent business has rebranded and relocated to a state-of-art new premises on the town’s prestigious James Street.

The new larger store boasts two floors and has a new “sleek modernistic feel” – a change from the vintage look of the previous shop.

It is based in the former Hotel Chocolat unit, which moved to a larger site on the same street last October.

Lynx Menswear on James Street.

Owner Guy Hudson said:

“It is our time for change. With an increased young and vibrant team, I want to build on what has been achieved so successfully at our previous store on West Park.”

Mr Hudson said James Street was the perfect location for the new store, thanks to a resurgence after the challenges of covid.

He added:

“Looking to build on the very positive response after the pessimism and lacklustre of lockdown, the regeneration of independent shops and top brand names on James Street is now at its pinnacle.

“What were empty shop units two years ago are now either under negotiation or full, with the likes of Pret a Manger and Oliver Bonas clearly believing that confidence in this iconic Harrogate high street is returning and we want to be part of it.

“We look forward to welcoming our valued loyal customers and new ones to our fresh look and location showcasing our individual European edit.”

Man arrested in Harrogate on suspicion of carrying weapon

A 38-year-old man was arrested in Harrogate this past weekend on suspicion of carrying an offensive weapon.

Officers were called to Cambridge Street at 2.20pm on Sunday (August 28) to reports of a man carrying a hammer and swearing at people on Oxford Street.

North Yorkshire Police arrested the man a short time later.

A police statement added:

“The man was arrested a short time later in Cambridge Street, on suspicion of carrying an offensive weapon. He remains under investigation while enquiries continue.”

Free home security upgrade scheme opens in Harrogate district

A scheme for some Harrogate district villagers to improve the security of their homes opens today.

The Protect Your Home scheme aims to prevent burglaries on the district’s border with West Yorkshire. Grants are available for new locks for doors, windows, garages and sheds as well as alarm systems for farms.

For homes with suitable WiFi coverage, the scheme also includes a RING video doorbell.

£719,590 is available in total with over 1,000 homes and 90 farms eligible. It is funded by the government and administered by the office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner North Yorkshire.

Residents living in Harrogate district villages Hopperton, Kirk Deighton, Kirk Hammerton, Leathley, Long Marston, North Deighton, Sicklinghall, Spofforth with Stockeld can apply.

Residents will receive a registration pack through the post over the next six weeks and can sign up at www.protectyourhome.org.uk.

Conservative Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire, Zoë Metcalfe, said:

“Burglary can leave people feeling vulnerable, frightened and distressed, the best way of deterring criminals from the entire community is for as many residents as possible to sign up and make their properties more secure so please sign up as soon as possible.”