Harrogate council fines landlords more than £100,000 over safety issues

Harrogate Borough Council revealed today that it has fined seven landlords a total of £109,000 since 2018 for failing to comply with private sector housing requirements.

The council said in a press release it most recently took action against landlord Mr Jamshid Jalali-Ghazaani, who failed to comply with an improvement notice on his property on the High Street in Starbeck.

According to the release, the council found several hazards including excess cold, structural issues and kitchen safety issues. He was fined £25,000.

Mr Jalali-Ghazaani appealed the penalty in September but a property tribunal dismissed it.

The council said it had successfully defended every appeal made by private landlords, including a fine of £15,000 for Stephen Archer’s Providence Terrace property, a fine of £13,500 for Andrew Norman’s Dragon Road property and Kingspark Limited’s £15,000 fine for its property on Electric Avenue.

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In addition, the council has also issued financial penalties totalling £40,589 against landlords of other properties did not appeal the penalty.

The release was published days after the council was criticised by residents for not taking firmer action against to prevent trouble at the privately-let 38 Mayfield Grove, Harrogate, which has been the subject of 255 police reports since 2008.

Trevor Watson, Harrogate Borough Council’s director of economy, environment and housing, said:

“While there are no doubt many landlords who provide excellent residential accommodation, there will sadly always be those who put the financial gain ahead of the safety of their tenants.

“This is an important reminder for landlords that as the housing authority we have the powers, and where necessary, will use them to protect tenants and residents. And hopefully encourage landlords to improve housing standards in the private rental sector.”

Valley Gardens Christmas market confirmed for December

Harrogate Borough Council confirmed today that an artisan market will go ahead in Valley Gardens as part of the town’s festive offering.

The market, which will be held on December 4 and 5 between 10am and 3pm, will be one of two Christmas markets in Harrogate.

The council said it had approved an event management plan submitted by market organisers Little Bird Made.

It had previously failed to approve an event management plan for the traditional Christmas market on Montpellier submitted by Harrogate Christmas Market Ltd, meaning it will not take place.

Sixty local and regional traders and producers will sell festive arts and crafts, clothing, homeware and jewellery, as well as food and drink, at the Valley Gardens event.

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Kirsty Stewart, parks and grounds maintenance manager at the council, said:

“The market will showcase some fantastic home-grown traders and producers and what better setting than Valley Gardens.”

Jackie Crozier, owner of Little Bird Made, said she was delighted by the news and urged anyone interested in having a stall to get in touch. She added:

“Our markets showcase some of Yorkshire’s finest small businesses and are a great opportunity to bring some festive cheer and buy that special gift for the holidays.”

The market will accompany a separate council-approved event called Harrogate Christmas Market, which will take place on Cambridge Street, Market Place, Station Square and Cambridge Crescent in Harrogate town centre between December 3 and 12. This event will be run by Market Place Europe.

A ferris wheel, Victorian carousel, helter skelter and road train will also be part the council’s Harrogate’s festive package.

The festivities will last from November 15 to the first week of January.

Police appeal to find wanted Harrogate man

North Yorkshire Police is appealing for information to find a wanted man from Harrogate.

Andon Llalla, 40-years-old, is wanted on recall to prison.

Despite extensive enquiries to find Mr Llalla, officers are now asking the public to come forward if they have seen him or know his whereabouts.

He is believed to be in Harrogate but he also has links to West Yorkshire, specifically Halifax and Brighouse.

It is unclear what Mr Llalla was in prison for.

A police statement added:

“If you see him or have information for the police, call North Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting reference number 12210179751.

“To report information anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

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Harrogate cancer survivor urges women to check their breasts

A Harrogate breast cancer survivor is urging people to check their breasts and contact their GP with any concerns.

Annette Ward was diagnosed with breast cancer in June last year after noticing a lump and a change in the shape of her breast.

Ms Ward, 61, spoke to her GP and was referred to hospital for further tests. She was then told that she had cancer.

It was diagnosed as primary breast cancer, which meant it had not spread to other areas of her body and could be treated more easily. She had surgery to remove the lump, followed by radiotherapy.

She said:

“I feel blessed that my cancer was found early. From diagnosis to treatment, the NHS have been marvellous.

“I’m so grateful to the doctors and nurses at Harrogate District Hospital and St James’s Hospital in Leeds. They did everything they can to make sure I was treated quickly and effectively.”

Ms Ward now urges others to make sure they take part in breast screening when invited and also check for changes.

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She said:

“It’s so important to check your breasts regularly. I had my routine mammogram just over a year before I was diagnosed, and that had been clear. These things can happen very quickly, and the sooner it’s found the sooner it can be treated.

“Self-check as much as you can. If there’s anything out of the ordinary or that you’re concerned about, contact your GP and have it looked at as soon as possible.”

After treatment, Ms Ward started volunteering as a way to regain confidence and took up a role at Yorkshire Cancer Research’s Knaresborough shop.

She added:

“I thought that Yorkshire Cancer Research would be ideal. It’s my way of giving back and of saying thank you for the research they fund.”

Arts minister Lord Parkinson visits Harrogate

Arts minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay visited Harrogate to attend the town’s literary festival and discuss the future of the arts.

Lord Parkinson met Fiona Movley and Sharon Canavar, chair and chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals, and attended the Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival on Friday.

The festival is part of the portfolio of events produced by Harrogate International Festivals.

The Conservative life peer also visited the Harrogate 1571 soundscape produced by Harrogate International Festivals for the 450th anniversary of the discovery of spa waters in the town.

He said:

“I was delighted to visit Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival and to see so many people enjoying thought-provoking and entertaining talks – in person – from a range of brilliant writers and speakers.

“It was also a great opportunity to hear about how the government’s support through the Culture Recovery Fund has helped to support much-valued events and organisations such as this, and what more we can do to help them bounce back from the pandemic and continue to flourish.”

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Ms Movley said the visit was “a timely opportunity to share our strategic plans for the future and the challenges that festivals and arts organisations have faced over the last two years”.

Ms Canavar said:

“It is important that the cultural and economic value of festivals across the UK and that their agility to create exciting programmes and vibrant destinations post-pandemic are recognised. It is key that their location, lack of building and seasonal delivery does not detract from their significance in the cultural landscape.”

Harrogate Internationals Festivals, which was established in 1966, is a year-round arts organisations producing festivals and events within Harrogate and the north.

Harrogate’s Firecracker Ball cancelled for second year due to covid

A major fundraising event in Harrogate has been cancelled for the second year running due to covid.

The Firecracker Ball has raised £3 million for children’s charity Barnardo’s since 2002.

The spectacular event, which is usually held at Rudding Park Hotel in November, is also one of the highlights of the social calendar.

Each year the ball adopts a different theme in the hope of encouraging people to donate and get involved in the charity auction too.

Barnardo’s, which organises the annual event, has assured people it will return in 2022. In a statement the organising committee said:

“The Firecracker committee reluctantly decided that the Firecracker Ball 2021 had to once more be postponed until we are able to hold our usual spectacular event in 2022. The decision has been a difficult one, as the funds you generously help us to raise have never been more important for Barnardo’s.

“We are making sure that we do our best to raise as much as we can in other ways at such a difficult time for everyone.”

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The previous ball in 2019 raised more than £250,000 for the charity.

The committee said it launched a justgiving page last year so people can still donate towards the work Barnardo’s does in Yorkshire.

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning and welcome back to the traffic and travel blog, it’s Connor with you today to help make your journey as smooth as possible.

Keep checking our blog every 30 minutes for full updates on the roads and public transport. I’ll let you know about any delays, traffic hotspots or roadworks.

You can get in touch if you spot anything, and it’s safe, on 01423 276197.

The morning blogs are brought to you by The HACS Group.

9am – Full Update 

That is all from me today. Again the traffic levels in Harrogate are lower with schools on half term. I will be back tomorrow from 6.30am to keep an eye out for any disruption.

Roads

Congestion around Ripon Road, Otley Road and Wetherby Road but levels of traffic are lower due to schools being off for half term this week.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

8.30am – Full Update 

Roads

Congestion around Ripon Road, Otley Road and Wetherby Road but levels of traffic are lower due to schools being off for half term this week.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

8am – Full Update 

Congestion around Ripon Road, Otley Road and Wetherby Road but levels of traffic are lower due to schools being off for half term this week.

Roads

The roads are looking quiet so far this morning, with no hotspots just yet. Are you stuck in traffic or spotted something? Give me a call.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

7.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking quiet so far this morning, with no hotspots just yet. Are you stuck in traffic or spotted something? Give me a call.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

7am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking quiet so far this morning, with no hotspots just yet. Are you stuck in traffic or spotted something? Give me a call.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

6.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking quiet so far this morning, with no hotspots just yet. Are you stuck in traffic or spotted something? Give me a call.

Road closures:

  • Kingsley Drive, Starbeck – road closure
  • Wayside Avenue near Wetherby Road – road closure for resurfacing
  • Harlow Moor Road at the junction with Otley Road – temporary one way system 
  • Bogs Lane, Starbeck – road closure
  • Savage Yard, Knaresborough, across from The Crown Inn – road closure
  • Copgrove Road, Burton Leonard – road closure
  • Westerns Lane, Markington – road closure
  • Clockhill Field Lane, Whixley- road closure
  • South Feild Lane, Tockwith – road closure

Temporary lights:

  • Cold Bath Road in Harrogate
  • Leadhall Lane in Rossett Green
  • Ripon Road in Harrogate, near McCarthy’s Storage World
  • Green Lane near Ashville College
  • Otley Road around the junctions for Cold Bath Road and Harlow Moor Road
  • Boroughbridge Road, near the Kia Garage
  • Bondgate Green, Ripon
  • New Road and Main Street, Scotton
  • York Place, Knaresborough
  • Main Street, Ripley at junction with Ripon Road

Trains

  • No problems so far from Harrrogate to all stations

Buses

  • Harrogate Bus Company is running a reduced timetable due to driver availability. The 36 bus will run every 30 mins between Harrogate & Ripon, and every 15 mins between Harrogate & Leeds
  • Other buses look to be running on time with no reported delays or cancellations

 

Controversial plans for Goldsborough homes approved

Plans for 36 homes in Goldsborough have been approved despite fears the development will “tear up” the historic village’s conservation area.

Stonebridge Homes was granted final approval by Harrogate Borough Council yesterday at the third time of asking.

The housing company was previously told to rethink its Station Road scheme and hold a meeting with councillors and residents.

This meeting was held in August but it was followed only by complaints that the developers “weren’t willing to shift” on issues including the density and design of the homes.

Speaking at a meeting of the council’s planning committee, councillor Andrew Paraskos, a Conservative who represents Spofforth with Lower Wharfedale, said:

“A meeting did take place but there was no movement from the developers at all.

“Residents understand that there will be something on this plot, but they would just like something that is more in keeping with the village.

“We have deferred this plan twice and I think it is now time to refuse it.”

‘Conservation area is a sham’

Resident Noel Evans also said the plans appeared to be “set in stone with no bridge for improvements” and that the development would amount to a “public tearing up of the Goldsborough conservation area”.

The conservation area sits adjacent to the site and was introduced in 2008 as an area of architectural and historical interest, including much of the village.

Mr Evans said:

“The tallest buildings proposed on this site will be amongst the highest buildings in Goldsborough – higher than the church and Goldsborough Hall.

“This will irretrievably destroy the historic skyline. This site needs an entirely fresh and appropriate set of plans.

“The conservation area is a sham and has no reason to exist with this council.”

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In its latest proposals, Stonebridge Homes included additional tree planting and information relating to materials.

The developers also argued the plans met national requirements and had received the backing of council officers three times with recommendations of approval.

Becky Lomas, an agent for Stonebridge Homes, told the meeting:

“The proposal before you today creates a well designed scheme, which is able to meet national requirements.

“This is a position which has been supported by council officers three times now at planning committee and the proposal of 36 dwellings is not considered to be in conflict with the development plan.”

The plans – which include a mix of one to five-bedroom properties – received 39 objections from residents and no letters of support.

The application was approved by councillors on the planning committee with six votes for, three against and one abstention.

Two Harrogate primary schools plan to merge

Two Harrogate primary schools could merge, under new proposals revealed today.

The governors of Woodfield Community Primary School and Grove Road Community Primary School have requested North Yorkshire County Council begin a consultation on amalgamation

According to a council press release, Woodfield would become part of Grove Road from September 1, 2022 but both sites would stay open.

The release added:

“As part of the amalgamation there would be a “technical closure” of Woodfield.

“Governors appreciate this may cause some initial uncertainty but see it as a very positive step for both schools.”

Woodfield, which has 56 pupils, was rated ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted in an inspection report last year and placed into special measures. However, a monitoring visit in June this year concluded “leaders and managers are taking effective action towards the removal of special measures”.

In its latest Ofsted inspection in 2018, Grove Road was rated ‘good’.

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‘Exciting opportunity’

In a joint message to parents, the chairs of governors and headteachers at both schools said: 

“We see this as an exciting opportunity and look forward to being able to share our plans in greater detail with you, and in the meantime, we appreciate your patience and understanding. 

“We would also hope to reassure you that we will not be asking any existing pupils who are already attending school at Grove Road to relocate to the Woodfield site.”

The county council will consider the request on November 23 and, if agreed, a consultation would run through December and January.

The consultation process would include public meetings where parents and the local community will have the opportunity to hear more about the proposals and share their views.

Are you a parent of a child at either school? If so, what do you think of the proposed merger? Let us know at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Great Yorkshire Showground vaccine site to reopen for just two weeks

Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Showground will reopen as a coronavirus vaccination centre for two weeks in December, it has been announced.

The venue – which was used as a vaccination site for most of the year before closing in August – will reopen at the beginning of December for an expected busy period of booster jabs, the NHS North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group said.

A CCG spokesperson said: 

“Plans are in place to run pop-up covid vaccination clinics at the Yorkshire Showground at the beginning of December for two weeks, as this is when we are anticipating a peak in the number of patients eligible to receive their booster jabs.

“In the meantime, patients over 50 and those in other priority groups who are now eligible for their booster dose, who would prefer not to wait until December, have a number of additional options they may wish to consider, including booking an appointment at an alternative vaccination centre via the NHS National Booking Service or 119.

“Patients can also use this service to book a first or second dose of the vaccine if they’ve not yet taken up the opportunity to be vaccinated.”

The announcement comes after an NHS official last week told a press briefing that the showground would reopen as a vaccination centre, but did not say for how long.

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More than half of all over-50s across the UK have now received a booster jab and the government is urging greater take up to ease pressure on the NHS ahead of a difficult winter due to covid pressures and long backlogs.

There is also a focus on getting more 12 to 15-year-olds vaccinated after the recent record levels of infections in Harrogate was linked to young people.

High infections rates

The high case rates led to health officials urging schools in the district to reintroduce face masks and postpone some activities to try keep infections under control.

Every headteacher was also contacted with the offer of extra support and advice.

Staff at the Great Yorkshire Showground site helping with the vaccination effort.

The Great Yorkshire Showground operating as a vaccine site in February.

Latest Public Health England figures show just over 16% of 12 to 15-year-olds in the Harrogate district have received their single vaccine dose.

An NHS North Yorkshire CCG spokesperson said: 

“We continue to encourage people to get vaccinated. The coronavirus vaccines are safe and effective.

“They offer the best protection against covid.”

Figures also show a total of 130,232 people in the Harrogate district have received their first vaccine dose and 121,915 people their second.

That equates to 83% and 77% of the population respectively.

No figures are available for booster jabs.