Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove was the main speaker at today’s opening day of the Local Government Association annual conference in Harrogate.

The three-day gathering, which is the biggest event on the local government calendar, has brought about 1,500 delegates to Harrogate.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey and Lisa Nandy, Labour’s Shadow Secretary for Levelling Up, are among tomorrow’s listed speakers.

Michael Gove, waiting to go on stage.

Mr Gove used the occasion to announce the government will move to two-year funding settlements for local authorities and will create an Office for Local Government, which will scrutinise councils’ performance.

But the event, which will see break-out events take place at some hotels, is also an opportunity to showcase Harrogate.

Shortly before Mr Gove’s speech, Cllr Graham Swift, Harrogate Borough Council’s deputy leader, took to the stage for a five-minute plenary speech in which he implored delegates to “take the opportunity to see why Harrogate is such a great place to live, work and keep visiting”.

Cllr Graham Swift promotes the Harrogate district.

Cllr Swift added:

“We want your visit to Harrogate to be extraordinary. We hope you’ll join us by enjoying the god given joys of our town.”

Mr Gove took the time afterwards to meet Cllr Victoria Oldham, the Harrogate borough’s last mayor.

Michael Gove and Cllr Victoria Oldham, the Harrogate borough mayor.

The packed programme of events includes a 45-minute walking tour of Harrogate at 11.30am tomorrow led by members of Destination Harrogate, which is the council’s tourism organisation.

The Old Swan hotel will host a chief executives’ drinks reception tomorrow night while the DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic will host dinners for the Labour and Liberal Democrats.

Tomorrow will also see Harrogate’s Royal Host the LGA LGBTQ+ disco.

Tonight, the Crown Hotel will host an event on local authority enterprises.

Delegates arriving today.

LGA chairman, Cllr James Jamieson told delegates today:

“What a pleasure it is to join together – in person – in such a beautiful, historic town. That has been voted a number of times “the happiest place to live in Britain”, and am sure this will rub off on us over the next few days.”

Read more:

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The Harrogate district population has increased by almost 5,000 people since 2011, the latest census has revealed.

The government’s census survey, which happens every 10 years, gives a snapshot of the population at that time and is used to inform local and national government policy.

Census day was in March last year and the Office for National Statistics has collated the data and published the first set of results.

It reveals the Harrogate district population has increased by 3.1%, from 157,900 in 2011 to 162,700 in 2021.

This is lower than the overall increase for England (6.6%), where the population grew by nearly 3.5 million to 56,489,800.

Nearby areas like Selby and Leeds have seen their populations increase by 10.2% and 8.1%, respectively, while others such as Hambleton saw a smaller increase (1.8%) and Richmondshire saw a decrease of 4.4%.

The increase in population in the Harrogate district is lower than some may have expected considering the number of new homes built in Harrogate, Ripon, Knaresborough and Boroughbridge.

However many of the largest housing schemes included in Harrogate Borough Council’s Local Plan, such as 3,000 homes near Green Hammerton and a combined 1,500 homes on Otley Road in Harrogate, are yet to be built.

Read more:

• Harrogate district MPs divided over Northern Ireland Protocol
• Harrogate historian Malcolm Neesam dies

The data also reveals that in the Harrogate district, 83,000 people are female and 79,700 are male.

A total of 34,000 people in the district are over the age of 65, which makes up over 20% of the total population.

Statistics on ethnicity, language and religion will be released later this year.

The Office for National Statistics’ deputy national statistician Pete Benton said:

“Today’s census statistics begin to paint a rich and detailed snapshot of the nation and how we were living during the pandemic. They show the population of England and Wales continued to grow across the decade, albeit at different rates across the regions.

“Ultimately, the full suite of census results, based on the information we all gave, will ensure decisions about how the billions of pounds we spend each year as a nation are made using the best possible evidence.

“This includes planning our emergency services, mental health care, school places, hospital beds, houses, roads, buses, trains, trams, GPs and dentists’ services.”

A review of Harrogate’s hosting of the 2019 UCI Road World Championships should not be ignored in future, says a business group.

David Simister, chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, said he was pleased that the report, which was published yesterday, included the views of businesses.

Members of Harrogate Borough Council’s overview and scrutiny commission are behind the review, which will be considered at a meeting on July 4.

The report found that while there was a place for shorter events which “portray Harrogate and North Yorkshire in a good light, nationally and throughout the world”, residents and businesses considered the road closures for the UCI “unacceptable”.

One conclusion reached by the review was that there was a common perception that the event “effectively closed” Harrogate town centre.

David Simister (left), chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce.

Following the publication, Mr Simister called for 15 of the recommendations included in the report to not be “simply ignored” at future events.

He said:

“This is a very detailed report and one that incorporates a wide range of views from a number of organisations.

“I’m pleased the experiences of businesses have been acknowledged and incorporated into the recommendations.

“And when Harrogate feels confident to host other major events, and I hope it does, these recommendations are not simply ignored, but used to ensure the town as a whole benefits, and that businesses, particularly those in the retail sector, are not left counting the cost.

“However, before committing to anything, I think it’s important to weigh up the pros and the cons, and also liaise with previous host towns to measure the impact it had on them.”

Read more:

• Review finds Harrogate 2019 UCI cycling championships ‘effectively closed’ town centre
• Council Stray repairs contract given under ‘urgent circumstances’

The recommendations include involving residents in planning events at an “early stage” and including the council on the board of large scale events.

They also include early engagement on large events and hosting short events in the district in order to “minimise disruption for local residents”.

In response to the report, a council spokesperson said: 

“It is positive to see that the review of the preparation, hosting and implications of the 2019 UCI Road World Championships for Harrogate Borough Council, residents and businesses, has reflected much of what was implemented as part of the event organisation.

“With an estimated global TV audience of over 250 million and almost 70,000 spectators, the 2019 UCI Road World Championships created a fantastic opportunity to showcase Harrogate and the surrounding district to both a national and international audience.

“Since the UCI Road World Championships – almost three years ago – we have hosted successful events and, through our destination management organisation, have a fantastic programme for the remainder of the year to further promote the district and support our visitor economy.”

A 44-year-old woman will appear at crown court next month charged with attempted murder in Harrogate.

Clare Bailey, of Dudley, was arrested following an incident on Byland Road in Bilton on Thursday evening last week.

She was later charged with attempted murder and appeared before York Magistrates Court yesterday, where she entered no plea to the charge.

Read more:

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The case was referred to Leeds Crown Court on July 25.

A man in his 40s has been bailed after being arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder following the same incident.

North Yorkshire Police said yesterday that the man was bailed while its investigation continues.

A 40-year-old man will appear at Leeds Crown Court next month accused of attempting to murder two children in Beckwithshaw.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is also charged with assaulting an emergency worker.

It follows an incident in the village on the morning of Monday last week.

He appeared before York Magistrates Court on Saturday after being arrested by police on Friday and subsequently charged.

The case was sent to Leeds Crown Court on Friday, July 22.

Read more:

• Harrogate murder trial hears that body was found in a rug
• Man denies murder at flat on Harrogate’s Mayfield Grove

Two of the three Harrogate district Conservative MPs have backed plans for the government to override parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol.

A controversial bill passed its first hurdle in Parliament last night by 295 votes to 221.

The plans, which would allow ministers to scrap parts of the protocol, has proved controversial with some MPs, including former Prime Minister Theresa May, who said it was not legal and would “diminish the standing of the United Kingdom in the eyes of the world”.

Andrew Jones, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, and Nigel Adams, MP for Selby and Ainsty, which includes some rural parts of Harrogate, voted in favour of the bill.

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But former Northern Ireland secretary and Skipton and Ripon MP, Julian Smith, abstained.

Speaking during last night’s debate, Mr Smith said the protocol enjoyed “significant support” among businesses in Northern Ireland, adding:

“We risk toxifying further the discussions we are having with the EU and member states, and we risk prolonging instability for Northern Ireland business, not to mention putting the whole of the UK at risk of trade and tariff reprisals.”

The bill will allow ministers to change parts of the protocol which were agreed as part of post-Brexit arrangements in Northern Ireland in 2019.

Liz Truss, foreign secretary, said the government had no other option but to “fix” problems in the deal.

The government wants to fast-track the bill through the House of Commons before July’s summer recess but it is likely to face opposition in the House of Lords.

Harrogate historian Malcolm Neesam, who wrote some of the most loved and popular books about the town, has died.

Mr Neesam, whose most recent book Wells and Swells: The Golden Age of the Harrogate Spa 1842-1923, was published in April, had been ill with cancer for a long time.

He died in the early hours of this morning, on his 76th birthday.

Mr Neesam was born in a nursing home on Ripon Road in Harrogate and grew up in the town.

He spent most of his working life as a librarian and archivist but writing and Harrogate were his enduring passions.

He was commissioned in 1973 to write a guide to children’s science fiction called Into Space, which proved to be the start of his writing career.

His most important works were Harrogate Great Chronicle 1332-1841 and Wells and Swells, which took up the town’s story after 1841, but he wrote numerous other books about the town and some of its most famous businesses.

Mr Neesam, who did not marry, has bequeathed his enormous collection of papers, which he stored in a room at his home, to the Mercer Art Gallery in Harrogate.

We will be publishing an obituary about Mr Neesam as well as an article containing tributes.

Read more:

• Harrogate Club honours local historian Malcolm Neesam
• Malcolm Neesam History: The Sun Pavilion and Colonnade, Valley Gardens

Plans have been approved to convert the former Airline Taxis office in Harrogate into a one-bedroom flat.

The ground floor offices on East Parade are currently vacant after a liquidator was appointed to wind up the company in June last year.

A director’s report to creditors, signed by Airline’s sole director Mohammad Suleman, said the company experienced a “significant decline” in turnover due to lack of travel during the first covid lockdown.

Harrogate Borough Council has now given the go-ahead for the former office to be converted.

Documents lodged to the authority by applicant Mr T Haillday say that the building will retain its existing features and the same floor area as the taxi company office.

It said:

“The existing building will retain the original features internally which at present have been covered over.

“The existing service door to the side will be reduced in size to house a window for the new bedroom. The external features will all be retained.”

Read more:

• GPs ‘extremely concerned’ Knox Lane housing will put pressure on health services

• Harrogate’s Airline Taxis to be wound-up with £55,000 debts

Roadworks in Harrogate could cause disruption for motorists during rush hour this morning.

Here is your Stray Ferret traffic update.

Roads

Drivers should take care this morning as planned roadworks are in place in Harrogate.

Wetherby Road outside the Leon drive-thru has one lane partly reopen following resurfacing work.

The work caused major disruption yesterday as queues tailed back to the Empress roundabout and along Skipton Road.

Motorists should allow extra time for usual traffic during rush hour on both Wetherby Road and Skipton Road this morning.

Meanwhile, further works are due to start on Westmoreland Street and Dragon Parade which may cause disruption as CityFibre undertake maintenance work.

Trains and buses

LNER has cancelled its 7.33am service from London Kings Cross to Harrogate due to train repairs.

Passengers for Harrogate have been advised to use the 8.03am service to Leeds and change to the next available Northern service.

Northern services between Harrogate and Knaresborough going to York and Leeds are scheduled to run as normal this morning.

Meanwhile, the Harrogate Bus Company is reporting a cancellation on the 7 bus from Leeds to Harrogate,

You can find out more information on the service disruption here.

Read more:

• Decision looms on future of Beech Grove low traffic neighbourhood
• Review finds Harrogate 2019 UCI cycling championships ‘effectively closed’ town centre

People across the Harrogate district have been paying tribute to Yorkshire broadcasting legend Harry Gration, who died suddenly on Friday.

Helen Mackenzie won Harry’s Heroes last year — a Stray Ferret  competition in partnership with Harrogate Spring Water and Harry to find the people in the district doing exceptional things to help others in the community.

Helen won for her role in starting Back to Basics in 2019 in Ripon, which gives families ingredients and instructions on how to make meals.

Today she said:

“I was so shocked and saddened to hear of Harry’s sudden passing.

“As Harry’s Heroes last summer I had the pleasure of meeting him in the flesh when he presented my award. It’s so lovely when you finally meet a celebrity and he turns out to be just as nice as he is on the telly.

“I was honoured to be the first Harry’s Hero. I am devastated that I am also the last. Hopefully this wonderful accolade can still be kept alive by Harry’s colleagues in his memory.

“My love and prayers go to his wife and family. Rest in Peace, Harry.”

Helen Mackenzie with Harry and Alex Hutton (centre), who nominated Helen.

Harrogate Spring Water described Harry as a “true gentleman” in a tweet.

We were honoured to have worked with Harry on our Harry’s Heroes campaign. What a true gentleman. RIP Harry. https://t.co/Qat66Km7ne

— HarrogateSpringWater (@HarrogateSpring) June 27, 2022

Sue Cawthray, from elderly care charity Harrogate Neighbours sent us this message:

“Together with Yorkshire, I am still in shock at such sad news. Can’t believe I was only sat listening to him last Saturday 18 June at the Harrogate Brigantes Rotary Dinner. So funny, entertaining and interesting. Always a supporter of local charities.

“Lovely memory of a news story we did with him on our meals service at Harrogate Neighbours. Was a pleasure to meet him on several occasions through the work I do as a member of the ICG board.”

Artist Caryl Hallett designed the stained glass monument in Harrogate’s Montpellier district that was commissioned by Harrogate Borough Council to celebrate the town hosting the Tour De France Grand Depart. Harry came along to support when it was unveiled.

Caryl’s husband, Shaun Hallett, said:

“He was interested, inquisitive, friendly, helpful, and charming.

 “Hopefully, Caryl’s piece will be enjoyed by many for years to come and will help to represent a legacy that has been steadily building in terms of local cycling participation.

“There can be no doubt that Harry’s legacy as a journalist, presenter, and reporter of the very highest quality is firmly cemented in the hearts and minds of Yorkshire people. “

Read More: 

• The Stray Ferret pays tribute to Harry Gration
• WATCH: Ripon woman crowned Harry’s Hero for helping disadvantage families