Richard Flinton appointed first North Yorkshire Council chief executive

Richard Flinton was this morning appointed as the first chief executive of the new North Yorkshire Council.

Mr Flinton will take up the £180,000 to £197,000 a year role when the new authority comes into existence in April 2023.

An extraordinary meeting this morning ratified his appointment. Sixteen applications for the role were received.

Mr Flinton is the current chief executive of North Yorkshire County Council. Carl Les, the current leader of the county council, will be the new leader of North Yorkshire County Council.

Cllr John McCartney, an Independent councillor for Osgoldcross, told the meeting people had been assured North Yorkshire devolution would not amount to a “power grab” by the county council but that appeared to be the case now that it had been named the continuing authority and there was a continuing chief executive.

He added:

“The perception of this is absolutely appalling out there. It’s just a disgraceful perception.

“People do not understand why they did not get a vote on the governance of their local councils and their local services and they do not get a vote on how their council tax will be used.”

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Cllr McCartney went onto add that there was a “disconnect” between the council and the county, which would be “as big as the Humber estuary” when the unitary council comes into force.

He said:

“Residents who vote Conservative in the main at General Elections are irked and discombobulated and feel like they have been treated with contempt.

“I don’t take much from the USA, but government of the people, for the people and by the people is a pretty good recipe for democracy. But that is not what North Yorkshire County Council is going to be.”

In response, Cllr Carl Les, leader of the council, said the process for choosing Mr Flinton was “well done” and attended by all political groups within the council.

He said:

“I don’t know what to say to John McCartney. I don’t think much of what you have said has anything to do with what we are discussing today which is the appointment of a chief executive.”

Cllr Les added Mr Flinton had “grown through the ranks of this organisation and grown into every role we have given him. I am sure he will continue to do so.”

Following the meeting, Mr Flinton said:

“I am honoured to have been chosen to become the chief executive of the new council at a time of huge change and opportunity in North Yorkshire.

“We are faced with some unprecedented challenges that have arisen from rising inflation as well as pressures on social care and also the issues which all local authorities are facing in recruiting and retaining staff to their workforces.

“But with those challenges come immense opportunities, while working with colleagues in North Yorkshire’s district and borough councils to introduce the new unitary authority.”

 

Concerns over ‘perfect storm’ of homelessness in Harrogate

Concerns have been raised over a “perfect storm” of homelessness in Harrogate due to the cost of living crisis and a lack of accommodation.

Harrogate Borough Council recently revealed a “huge” 60% increase in requests for housing help, which has led to more homeless people staying in bed and breakfasts for longer.

The council also said it has had difficulties in moving hostel tenants into permanent housing as cases have been “more complex than normal”.

Speaking at a meeting on Monday, Trevor Watson, director of economy and culture at the council, said these issues combined with a lack of private rental properties in the district were creating a “perfect storm”.

A total of 370 people accessed housing help in the first quarter 2022 – up from 334 the same time in the previous year.

The increase comes amid big rises in the cost of living with soaring prices putting a squeeze on people’s finances.

Harrogate Fairfax Liberal Democrat councillor Chris Aldred urged the council to not “lose sight” of the worsening situation as he also raised concerns over long delays in the licensing of multiple occupancy houses.

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The council is currently taking an average of 323 days to licence these properties against a target of 60.

Mr Watson blamed the backlog on the covid pandemic which he said has had a “huge impact” on staff being able to process applications.

A report to Monday’s overview and scrutiny meeting said councils across the country are facing similar issues and that finding accommodation for homeless people “isn’t always easy due to complicating factors like mental health or debts”.

It said: 

“Following a huge increase in the number of families approaching the service, the homelessness indicators performance have worsened.

“Our homelessness performance indicators, though off target, unfortunately reflect broader national trends around homelessness.

“Housing teams across the country have been dealing with higher case loads.

“In Harrogate, cases are about 60% higher than previous years.”

Harrogate council could dip into reserves to cover soaring energy costs

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.”

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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.

Harrogate district’s economic growth slow after £438 million hit from covid

Economic growth in the Harrogate district has been slower than regional and national averages since the district took a £438 million hit during covid.

Gross Value Added (GVA) data published by Harrogate Borough Council shows the local economy contracted by 10% – or £438 million – during 2020 and that growth has lagged behind Yorkshire and the Humber and the UK.

GVA measures the value of goods and services produced in an area, and Harrogate’s figure was set to reach £4.3 billion before the pandemic struck.

It now stands at £3.87 billion – down from £4.26 billion in 2017/18.

A council report said economic performance has been “positive” given the impacts of covid and Brexit, but added there are “continuing challenges that need to be addressed” as experts forecast a gloomy outlook with a UK recession on the horizon.

The report said:

“Overall the performance has been positive but key factors that must be taken into account are that of the UK’s exit from the European Union and the covid-19 pandemic.

“Covid-19 in particular has had a significant impact on GVA with the district seeing a 10% reduction in the economy.

“Looking forward post pandemic, forecasts show that job numbers will not return to pre-covid levels and therefore increasing productivity becomes more of a priority than ever.”

Other figures show the total number of businesses registered in Harrogate increased by 4% between 2016 and 2021 – below both the regional and national averages of 8% and 13%.

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In more positive figures, unemployment is low at 3.1% and the council has been keen to highlight its support for businesses during covid when it handed out more than £96 million to firms which were severely impacted by lockdown restrictions.

The report to a cabinet meeting on Wednesday has recommended “closing down” the council’s covid recovery plan, whilst also providing a review of its economic growth strategy which was adopted in 2017.

At the time it was adopted, the strategy identified a low wage economy and high house prices leading to a “brain drain” of people moving out of Harrogate as key problems facing the district.

These issues are still very much prevalent with average salaries of £25,000 below the UK figure of £30,000 and Harrogate house prices averaging £338,786 this year.

The report added:

“Whilst positive progress has been made since the adoption of the economic growth strategy in 2017, there are continuing challenges that need to be addressed.

“In line with national and local strategies, the council will therefore continue to prioritise and support ‘good growth’ in the district, with an aim of embedding a more sustainable and resilient economy.”

Knights swelter in 31 degrees at Boroughbridge re-enactment

Members of a military re-enactment group sweltered in 31 degree heat in Boroughbridge on Saturday.

The arming the knight display was part of the launch of the Battle of Boroughbridge battlefield trail.

It was the final event of a programme celebrating the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Boroughbridge in 1322.

3 Swords re-enactment group demonstrated how mediaeval knights equipped themselves for battle.

Group members took 45 minutes to put on layer upon layer of clothing, maille armour, leather padding, steel plate and helmets, which were almost too hot to handle.

The new battlefield trail has information boards erected at key sites around the town to explain what happened when rebel barons led by Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, fought across the River Ure with King Edward II’s forces led by Sir Andrew de Harclay.

3 Swords Battle of Boroughbridge

Mayor Sean Hynes with the 3 Swords team and Chris Rock and Louise Whittaker, of the Battlefields Trust.

The battle ended in victory for the king’s army after one of the rebel’s leaders, the Earl of Hereford, was killed when a pikeman thrust his spear from beneath the narrow timber bridge across the Ure and Sir Roger de Clifford, of Skipton, was seriously injured.

After an overnight truce, the king’s army entered Boroughbridge and arrested Lancaster, who was taken to his castle at Pontefract for a show trial. He was sentenced to be hung, drawn and quartered, but received a merciful death by beheading.

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The anniversary celebrations were organised by the Battlefields Trust, Boroughbridge and District Historical Society and Boroughbridge Town Council, with support from developer Miller Homes.

The information boards were illustrated by Chris Rock, Yorkshire region chair of the Battlefields Trust.

Sean Hynes, the Mayor of Boroughbridge, paid to everyone involved during Saturday’s events.

Motorcyclist seriously injured in A1(M) crash near Boroughbridge

A motorcyclist was airlifted to hospital after suffering serious injuries in a major crash on the A1(M) near Boroughbridge yesterday afternoon.

Police are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage following the single-vehicle collision, which happened at around 3.30pm on the northbound carriageway, just south of junction 49.

The rider of a yellow Honda Z125 motorbike, a man in his 40s, came off the bike and was taken to hospital by air ambulance for treatment.

The road was closed between junction 48 (Boroughbridge interchange) and junction 49 (Dishforth interchange) to allow emergency services and the air ambulance to attend the scene. It re-opened at around 6.45pm.

Motorists faced delays of up to an hour.

Any witnesses, or anyone who has dashcam footage of the collision itself, or of the motorcycle involved prior to the collision, is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police.

Email chris.storey@northyorkshire.police.uk, quoting reference 12220144369.

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Weather warning for thunderstorms issued for Harrogate district

The Harrogate district is braced for thunderstorms this week after a yellow weather warning was issued.

The Met Office has warned that the UK will face “hit and miss” storms today.

A yellow weather warning is in place for the whole of England and Scotland on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

The warning says that thunderstorms are likely to develop throughout the day, with torrential downpours in some areas and “potential disruption”.

The Harrogate district is forecast light showers this afternoon with more rain on Tuesday.

It comes after a heatwave lasting several days, with temperatures reaching 30 degrees.

Yorkshire Water announced a hosepipe ban for the county last week amid some parts of England declaring a drought. The ban will come into force on Friday, August 26.

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Serious collision causing long delays on A1 at Boroughbridge

Police are currently dealing with a serious collision on the A1(M).

It’s on the northbound carriageway between the Boroughbridge interchange at junction 48 and junction 49 at Dishforth.

Both carriageways closed to allow emergency services and the air ambulance to attend.

The southbound carriageway has reopened but the northbound route remains closed and is causing hour-long delays.

National Highways tweeted at about 5.30pm.

#A1M remains closed northbound between J48 and J49 near #Thirsk #NorthYorkshire after a serious collision. Police investigation is underway. The closure is causing severe delays of over 60 minutes to journeys between J47 and J48. Allow extra time and consider alternate routes. pic.twitter.com/0w8vIC9w3c

— National Highways: Yorkshire (@HighwaysYORKS) August 14, 2022

 

North Yorkshire Police is advising motorists to avoid the area if possible, saying the northbound carriageway “may be closed for some time”.

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Stray Views: Harrogate Station Gateway scheme is ‘long overdue’

Stray Views is a weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district. It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. Send your views to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Station Gateway is ‘long overdue’

I’ve read the debate and articles, many of them in the Stray Ferret and have become increasingly disillusioned by the negativity. I think it’s now time for those like me who think this proposal is long overdue to say so.

It’s not perfect and personally I would like it to go further, but it goes some way to rebalancing the area in favour of those who choose/have to walk and cycle and to revitalise this area. It will help reconnect the town centre with surrounding communities and better link the railway and bus stations to the town. This type of scheme has been successfully done in other towns and cities and has proved truly transformative.

Station Parade is a ‘great’ example of the type of traffic planning which was inflicted on communities in the last century, across the country. These ring roads were designed to speed traffic through towns but with little regard for the impacts of the surrounding communities or other forms of transport.

With this scheme we now have a chance to start to put some of this right.

Much of the debate has been about how many seconds will be added to journeys and the impact on businesses. With the reduced impact of traffic in this area, better connection of the town centre and a revitalised local area, there must be the potential for a better business environment. There may be some extra seconds on journeys but the bigger picture of improved lives and business success must surely be worth it.

Let’s not also forget that this scheme is being achieved through external government finance, a pretty rare thing these days. If we miss this opportunity and fail to deliver, don’t be surprised if the next time we ask for help there is a sceptical response.

So let’s get behind this scheme and show what we’re capable of achieving.

The consultation closes on 23 August. Have your say, it will be too late afterwards wishing you’d bothered to respond, when the doom merchants talk it out of time. Fill in the survey here.

Ian Brown, Knaresborough

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Relief at Beech Grove LTN end

Thank goodness the boxes are to be removed.

We used Beech Grove to park our car for the last 50 years as it allowed us to walk on the Stray for pleasure or just going into the town centre. Why did Beech Grove almost always have parking space available?

With the boxes installed we had no means of taking pleasure of walking across the Stray.

It is almost impossible to have a walk on any of the Stray as all parking places are occupied nearly all day. This makes the Stray a useless piece of land as the residents of the area plus visitors cannot use it.

Going back to Beech Grove, I have always thought that it should be a one way going up from The Avenue to Otley Road. As a two way traffic route it meant that a lot of speeding took place to get past the cars parked on it.

Allan Campbell, Harrogate

Do you have an opinion on the Harrogate district? Email us at letters@thestrayferret.co.uk. Please include your name and approximate location details. Limit your letters to 350 words. We reserve the right to edit letters.

Hosepipe ban introduced for Harrogate district

The Harrogate district will be covered by a hosepipe ban from  August 26.

Yorkshire Water announced this morning it was introducing the measure as England teeters on the brink of a drought.

It will be the area’s first hosepipe ban since 1995.

Neil Dewis, its director of water, said:

“Parts of Yorkshire have seen the lowest rainfall since our records began more than 130 years ago.

“The hot, dry, weather means that Yorkshire’s rivers are running low and our reservoirs are around 20% lower than we would expect for this time of year.

“We’ve been doing everything we can to avoid putting in restrictions but unfortunately, they’re now necessary as part of our drought planning.

Mr Dewis said Yorkshire Water had reduced water lost by leaky pipes by 50% since 1995/6 but the measure was still necessary.

But he said the “trigger point” for a ban had now been reached.

He added:

“We need to make sure that we have enough supply for the essential needs of people across the region this year and next, as well as making sure we’re able to protect our local environment by limiting the amount of water we have to draw from the rivers.

“Our decision to introduce a hosepipe ban is based on the risk that water stocks continue to fall in the coming weeks and the need to be cautious about clean water supplies and long term river health.”

A hosepipe ban also allows Yorkshire Water to apply for drought permits from the Environment Agency, which means it can abstract more water from rivers.

The hosepipe ban includes:

Watering a garden using a hosepipe
Cleaning vehicles or boats using a hosepipe
Watering plants with a hosepipe
Filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool
Drawing water, using a hosepipe, for domestic recreational use
Cleaning walls or windows of domestic premises using a hosepipe
Cleaning paths or patios using a hosepipe
Cleaning other artificial outdoor surfaces using a hosepipe

People can still undertake these activities without using a hosepipe if they use tap water from a bucket or watering can; or use water that is not sourced from taps such as grey water, rainwater from a water butt, or a private borehole, for example.

Businesses will be allowed to use a hosepipe if it is directly related to a commercial purpose.

There are restrictions on using a hosepipe if not for those essential commercial needs – so using a hosepipe to clean a path outside a business property, for example, would not be allowed.

Blue badge holders, those on Yorkshire Water’s Priority Services register or WaterSure tariff for medical reasons, are also excluded from the ban.

More information is available here.

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