Harrogate Climate Coalition faces fresh criticism

Another member of Harrogate’s Climate Coalition has spoken out against the group, saying it needs to be “more than a talking shop”.

Arnold Warneken from the Harrogate Green Party said he has written to Cllr Phil Ireland, who chairs the coalition, calling on Harrogate Borough Council to take “decisive action” in response to the climate emergency.

The Harrogate Climate Coalition was formed at the beginning of this year after HBC rejected calls to declare a climate emergency in 2019. It brings together councillors as well as green groups and local businesses — with the aim of working together in the name of sustainability and helping the environment.

However, since it was formed it has faced criticism, with members frustrated over progress in tackling climate change. In June, campaigner Malcolm Margolis resigned from the coalition’s sustainable transport subgroup because of a “lack of action”.

Mr Warneken said the coalition needs to “transform the way it operates and act with a real sense of urgency”.

He said:

“The coalition needs to be able to make policy recommendations to the council.

“Now is the time for Harrogate to be brave and forward thinking – for example, where are the sites for Park & Ride, where is the commitment for all council houses to be Passivhaus standard – it’s not enough just to say that these policies will be ‘considered’ or ‘encouraged’.

“The Climate Coalition has an important role to play in firstly guiding the council to declare a climate emergency, and then to strengthen the council’s commitment to achieve district-wide carbon-neutral status.

“I want the coalition to become a change-maker, not just a talking-shop!”.

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Cllr Phil Ireland, cabinet member for carbon reduction and sustainability, told the Stray Ferret that the council has implemented a range of measures to improve the environment which he said is saving “hundreds of tonnes” of CO2 every year.

These include a carbon reduction strategy, a low emission car club and improvements to Harrogate rail and bus stations.

He also said Harrogate Borough Council’s move to the civic centre at Knapping Mount, which includes solar panels, green roofs and passive heating, is improving the authority’s carbon footprint.

He added:

“The Harrogate District Climate Change Coalition, a partnership of businesses, public sector organisations and voluntary groups, not only supports these measures but has a joint aim of reducing carbon reduction activities throughout the Harrogate district.

“The most effective projects for achieving our ambitious targets are not going to happen overnight and the vast majority of members of the climate coalition understand this and are committed to working hard to we implement the right measures in the best way possible.

“This requires collective action and we will happily work with anyone and any group that is working to reduce carbon emissions to achieve net zero.”

Terminal cancer diagnosis inspires Harrogate art teacher

An art teacher from Harrogate who has a terminal cancer diagnosis will use her last exhibition to raise money for the staff who tried to save her life.

Sharon Tinayre Carrick is well-known as a teacher at Rosset Adult Learning centre, where she gets students to use art to improve their wellbeing.

The bowel cancer diagnosis doctors gave her last year meant that she had no work to do so needed something to occupy her time. Sharon found that she needed to practice what she had taught.

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Months of treatment did not work for Sharon and resulted in her body rejecting anything the doctors at the Sir Robert Ogden Macmillian Centre would try to treat her with.

Mrs Carrick, who signs her work by her middle name Tinayre, used her experience with cancer and her bucket list and 50th birthday trip to Venice as inspiration.

Gallopers by Tinayre

The “Was I really there!” is a mixture of different mediums from the start of her cancer diagnosis leading up to Sharon’s trip to Venice.

Art in the Mill in Knaresborough will host the exhibition from August 28 to September 11. All profits will go towards the Sir Robert Ogden Macmillian Centre.

Sharon Carrick told the Stray Ferret while on treatment at St Michael’s Hospice:

“We had planned to hold the exhibition earlier in the year but had to postpone because of coronavirus, so that was really tough. My terminal diagnosis came on the same day that I got the date for my new exhibition. I hope that I can make it to the show.”

Yorkshire Water launches affordable scheme for young farmers

Yorkshire Water has announced a starter scheme to get young farm workers renting land.

The project is titled Beyond Nature. Plots will be rented out to young farmers and anyone under 40 with an interest in farm ownership.

In the European Union, only 11% of farms are run by those under 40. The largest barriers for young farmers who want to run their own farm is expense and how often land becomes available.

The first farm announced in the scheme is Scow Hall Farm, located behind Swinsty reservoir in Washburn Valley.

Lisa Harrowsmith, lead surveyor at Yorkshire Water, said:

“After the first five-year lease, we will let the farm to another young farmer, therefore creating a cycle of opportunity for the next generation of farmers. Once the tenancy is up, we will assist that farmer with finding new opportunities on a permanent holding or elsewhere within the agricultural industry.”

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Yorkshire Water’s intention is to give young farmers the tools to create sustainable farms on their 70,000 acres of land. Mentorship, training and business advice will be provided.

Ellie Britton, 22, who was brought up on her parents farm in Ripon, said:

“My dad has a farm with his brother and they both have sons. Their options are to either continue working together or split up into pairs to buy a farm. Farmers often keep farms and hand them down for generations. If they do come up they are unattainably expensive or need a lot of renovation work. I think the Yorkshire Water scheme is a good idea to get people going with experience.”

Applications for Scow Hall Farm will open in late August. More information can be found on the Yorkshire Water website or via their social media pages.

Residents mobilise against Whinney Lane developments

Almost 50 Pannal Ash residents met last night at the Squinting Cat pub to “mobilise” against hundreds of new houses proposed for Whinney Lane.

It was organised by Whinney Lane resident Mike Newall who wanted the event to be a “wake-up call” for locals who he said will face years of disruption.

The developer Stonebridge is currently building 130 homes at Castle Hill Farm on Whinney Lane and last month plans were submitted by Banks Group for 270 homes and a new primary school on the fields opposite the Stonebridge development.

Pannal Ash residents meeting at the Squinting Cat pub last night.

Mr Newall spoke to give locals information about each development and advice for submitting objections to Harrogate Borough Council.

Whinney Lane is now closed for seven months due to the construction of two site access points for the Castle Hill Farm housing development as well as a new roundabout.

The lengthy closure has proved controversial and the manager of the Squinting Cat pub told the Stray Ferret that it “could kill” the business.

Mr Newall told the Stray Ferret that developers are “riding roughshod” over the area.

He said:

“All of a sudden people are realising that if we’re not careful it will be urban expansion. It will be a complete belt around Harrogate that is expanding into urban sprawl.

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While the latest set of plans from Banks Group is at a site allocated for development in Harrogate Borough Council’s Local Plan, Mr Newall is hopeful that because it is on Special Landscape Area (SLA) land, development could be delayed.

Since HBC adopted its long-awaited Local Plan in March, the planning committee has begun to refuse developments on sites that sit within the plan.

Last week, councillors refused 149 new homes on Kingsley Road near Harrogate High School because they said it would make already clogged roads in the area even worse.

Mr Newall added:

“People are suddenly waking up to the fact that they have a big housing development behind them and they will be staring straight into someone’s bathroom. That’s what’s stirred up this current group.”

Harrogate high speed police chase ends in crash and arrest

A high speed police chase in Harrogate last night ended in a crash and the arrest of a 19-year-old suspected burglar.

Earlier in the night, at around 2.45am, burglars entered a house on St Helen’s Road before fleeing in a Mercedes parked on the driveway.

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Just 15 minutes later North Yorkshire Police took a second report of a ‘two in one’ burglary on St Clement’s Road where another Mercedes was reported stolen.

The police started to chase the car which drove off at speed along Hookstone Chase and Forest Moor Road, causing damage to parked cars. It crashed on Thistle Hill in Knaresborough.

@NYPDogSection and @HarrogatePolice assist in area search. We continue patrol and find Male suspected to be involved. #arrested sus burglary and other offences. #OperationalSupport @teamnyp 2/2 pic.twitter.com/65QqOl486Y

— NYP Operational Support Unit (@NYPRoadCrime) August 10, 2020

Shortly after, the police arrested a 19-year-old man from the Harrogate area and took him into custody where he remains for questioning.

North Yorkshire Police has asked anyone with information or footage from last night to call them on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Use North Yorkshire Police reference numbers 12200137651 for the St Helen’s Road burglary and 12200137663 for the St Clement’s Road burglary,

Harrogate charity inundated with staff and volunteer applications

A Harrogate charity chief executive has seen an influx of working requests despite coronavirus.

Disability Action Yorkshire has filled more frontline staff positions in the past two months than in the previous two years.

Jackie Snape, chief executive at Disability Action Yorkshire said:

“One thing coronavirus did was to shine a light on the care sector, and in particular the staff working within it. They have become the nation’s superheroes.

“As a result, the amount of people now wanting to work in the industry is quite extraordinary, it has helped give a shot in the arm to Harrogate’s voluntary sector too.”

The charity and social enterprise has seen a surge in volunteer requests, with an extraordinary number applying to work at its Claro Road care home and Hornbeam Park furniture showroom and training centre.

It is a demand that Ms Snape hopes will continue post-covid.

“Coronavirus has taught how vital the care industry is, and how millions of people rely on the support – and friendship – of its paid employees, and those who give up a few hours a week in a voluntary capacity.”

Goose play centre set to go into liquidation

Children’s play centre Goose is set to go into liquidation.

The company, based on Hornbeam Park in Harrogate, issued a notice on Saturday seeking a decision from its creditors on the nomination of a liquidator.

A virtual meeting is set to be held on August 21, when a resolution to wind up the company will be considered. Creditors are expected to be contacted directly to attend the meeting, but anyone who has not been contacted can get details of the meeting from nominated liquidator Kieran Bourne of Cromwell & Co Insolvency Practitioners in Coventry.

Prior to the coronavirus lockdown, Goose was a popular destination for families, offering play and craft facilities as well as a cafe area.

Director Rachael Howard set up the business as Goose Playspace Ltd in September 2017. It had previously been open under the same name and closed suddenly in July 2017.

‘The plastic revolution is over and grass is going down’- CNG stadium prepares for EFL

Harrogate Town’s 3G pitch is being replaced with grass as the club prepare to play in the EFL for the first time.

Synthetic surfaces are not permitted in League Two, so Town is now in the process of changing back to turf in order to be allowed to compete in the EFL.

The new ground is expected to cost a hefty total of around £200k to complete.

 

Garry Plant, managing director at the club told the Stray Ferret that it’s a “great shame” that it has to go:

“The EFL criteria says we have to play on grass so the plastic revolution is over and grass will be going down. It’s a bag of mixed feelings… it’s a great feeling to promoted, but this pitch has been amazing for the club, one of the best things we ever did and I just wish we could leave it down…

“It’s time off the pitch and so many teams train here, but it’s time to say goodbye to a very old friend that’s done brilliantly for the club.”

Turf delivery CNG stadium

Turf delivery to CNG Stadium

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It is full steam ahead with the work at the stadium to be finished by the October 10 – though the new season starts on the weekend of Saturday, September 12. Town will ground share with Doncaster Rovers until the new pitch is finished.

Golf event to raise money for Harrogate charity

A woman from Harrogate has organised a golf event at Rudding Park to raise money for Saint Michaels Hospice.

Patricia Blenkinsop decided to start raising money for Saint Michael’s Hospice two years ago after her father was cared for by the team.

The golf competition is just one of a number of events she has organised in the hope of raising money for the charity.

The event, which was supposed to have taken place in April, has been rescheduled for October. Participants will be in teams of four and will complete a round of golf at Rudding Park followed by lunch, a raffle and a silent auction.

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Patricia was also supposed to be climbing Mount Kilimanjaro last month, but due to covid had to rearrange her trek for next June. She told the Stray Ferret:

“The change of date for both events has definitely allowed me more time to fundraise. I was just starting to gear up to really get into training to climb Kilimanjaro and then lockdown came.

“When you’re training to climb the world’s tallest free standing mountain, it is difficult because nowhere in England is that high! All you can do is be as fit as you can.”

Saint Michael’s Hospice offers specialist care and support to people with terminal illnesses.

In 2016, Patricia trekked the Grand Canyon to raise money for the hospice and this year wanted to take on a new challenge. Having got the idea to climb Kilimanjaro a number of years ago when she saw it from the window of a plane, she decided to make it her next target.

The golf event at Rudding Park will take place on October 8. To reserve your team or for more information, email Patricia or visit her JustGiving page.

Strayside Sunday: Harrogate council leader risks looking like a bully

Strayside Sunday is our weekly political opinion column. It is written by Paul Baverstock, former Director of Communications for the Conservative Party. 

Here are some facts about the recent financial performance of Harrogate Convention Centre under the stewardship of Harrogate Borough Council:

  1. In the twelve years since 2008, the centre turned a profit on just three occasions; 2009, 2016 and 2017.
  2. During that twelve-year period, reported turnover has fallen steadily each year, from £7.1m in 2008 to £4.6m in 2019. This represents a cumulative fall in annual income of 36%, that’s more than a third, to you and me.
  3. Prior to 2020, public domain council documents (not least the now surely discredited town plan) stated that the economic contribution of the centre to the town’s wider economy was £57m. Harrogate council now say that this figure is £35m, a discrepancy blamed on the introduction of a new economic impact methodology.

Some of this we knew already and some we now know because the Stray Ferret was in receipt of a leaked, confidential council cabinet report into the performance of and possible future for what is fast overtaking Knapping Mount as the largest white elephant in town.  In short, the report calls for the council to make a wince inducing £46.8m investment to renovate the centre, reduce the effects of its ageing and make the centre quality competitive with other convention destinations across the country.

Council Leader Richard Cooper is not best pleased that the report has reached the public domain and this week used a full meeting of council to threaten to expel, if identified, the leaking culprit from the Conservative Party (if indeed the leaker is a Conservative) and force them to stand down from the council.  Astonishingly, Cooper managed to get the Lib Dem opposition to match this pledge.  Let’s deconstruct all this.

The Harrogate Convention Centre is failing, this largely as a result of cumulative underinvestment and deficient operational oversight, both the responsibility of the current council administration.  The leaked report is sensitive precisely because it shines a light on more than a decade of poor management.  Given the numbers above it’s no wonder that the council wanted the report and its contents kept confidential.  The facts are an embarrassment.

But the performance and future of Harrogate Convention Centre is clearly a matter of public interest, especially if, as the council seems set to do, it is to be in receipt of almost £50m of taxpayer money to keep it going (under the same loss-making political leadership).  To attempt to make decisions of this magnitude and effect under a veil of secrecy is at the very least an insult to the people of Harrogate and, in my view, a dereliction of the duty of public servants to deliver government that is transparent and accountable.

Mr. Cooper tries to argue that the cabinet report contained confidential information and that its release could damage the local economy.  Really?  In the Harrogate Advertiser it was reported that a Harrogate council spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that 95% of the leaked document was “already in the public domain.”

Second, let’s look at the politics of this.  Richard Cooper’s threat to expel the leaker doesn’t look good and, from experience, I can tell you is not the right way to handle a leak. To some, Mr. Cooper’s words and actions give the appearance of bullying. Like an angry schoolboy not getting his way, it seems plain to me that this leader is stamping his foot in frustration. Perhaps Mr. Cooper is so used to getting his own way that he was actually just upset by the fact that the leak undermined his beloved authority.  It leads one to wonder whether making threats is an effective way to keep your council team in order or whether there is a point at which it serves to build resentment and create internal opposition.

It beggar’s belief too that Pat Marsh and the Lib Dem group supported Mr. Cooper’s expulsion threat tirade.  The Lib Dems should have celebrated the leak, not least because, however rump, they are the official opposition and it is their role to hold those in power to account.  And boy do they need holding to account in respect of the Convention Centre and their magic money tree spending plans for it.

Finally, congratulations are due this week to Harrogate Town, now proud members of The Football League, for the first time in the club’s history.  Great news indeed for the club, the town and for our economy.  Taking his cue from the MP’s instruction manual, Andrew Jones was quick and fulsome in his praise for Town, his initial breathless account of his own emotional rollercoaster as the game ebbed and flowed spoilt only his reference (before it was corrected) to Notts County’s non-existent equaliser at the start of the second half.  Were you really watching Andrew, or might this have been a little positive PR gone wrong?

That’s my Strayside Sunday.

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