Councillors said today they had “major concerns” about plans to reduce the number of night time fire engines in Harrogate to one.
North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Zoe Metcalfe defended her plans at a special meeting of North Yorkshire County Council’s Harrogate and Knaresborough Area Constituency Committee.
Ms Metcalfe, a Conservative, told the Liberal Democrat-controlled committee she would still consider a shake-up of Harrogate’s night time fire service even if she had “millions in reserves”.
Ms Metcalfe told the meeting the plans “were not cuts” but the right thing to do. She said:
“If they were cuts, they would have happened yesterday. We do have a balanced budget until 2026. Let’s be very clear on that.
“If I had millions of pounds worth in the bank of reserves, I would still be doing this. I would still be going out on consultation, because it is absolutely right that we identify our risk and where our risk is in the county and York and then put the right resources to cover that risk.”
Ms Metcalfe added that no fire stations were closing and no whole time firefighters were losing their jobs.
Her three-year plan for the fire service includes proposals on staff shift patterns, the number of fire engines operating at night and putting a greater emphasis on fire prevention.
Harrogate and Scarborough currently both have an emergency fire engine and a tactical response fire engine operating 24 hours a day.
Ms Metcalfe’s model proposes both stations have two emergency response vehicles during the day but only one at night. They would lose their tactical response engines altogether.
Paul James, chair of the Fire Brigades Union in North Yorkshire, said the plan would leave Harrogate fire station in a “race to the bottom” on response times.
Mr James told the meeting the changes amounted to cuts and that Harrogate was an area of high risk due to its density.
He added that a cut in funding nationally “has dovetailed” with slow response times locally and criticised the lack of a response standard from the service.
Paul James, chair of the North Yorkshire Fire Brigades Union branch, at today’s meeting.
Mr James said:
“Harrogate still requires two appliances during the night to cover serious fires, if positive outcomes are to be achieved.
“Under these proposals during the night time hours Ripon, Tadcaster, Malton, Northallerton and Selby will all have more fire engines than Harrogate.”
He added:
“We feel that the continuing avoidance of declaring a standard [response time] is the avoidance of transparency and accountability.
“These proposals will see Harrogate enter the response time race to the bottom that much of the rest of the county competes in.”
Dave Winspear, director of transformation at North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, denied there was a “race to the bottom” on response times for Harrogate.
Meanwhile, some councillors were critical of the proposals.
Cllr Robert Windass, a Conservative representing Boroughbridge who was a fire fighter in Leeds for 30 years, said he did not feel the figures on night time fires “were right”.
He added:
“I did 30 years in Leeds and the most fatalities and the most people we had to rescue was during the hours of night.
“Not during the day, we did get them, but the majority was at night time when people were asleep and when something went wrong such as children playing with matches and things like that.
“So I won’t dispute your figures, but I don’t think they are right.”
As part of its response to the plans, the committee agreed to express major concerns over night cover but welcomed investment in prevention work.
You can find out more about the proposed changes and take part in the consultation here.
Ripon teacher dies after falling on hike in Italian DolomitesA schoolteacher from near Ripon has died after falling 100ft while hiking in the Italian Dolomites.
Louise Atkinson, 55, of North Stainley, reportedly found herself on a difficult route in the Rosengarten massif in northern Italy after taking a wrong turn.
Ms Atkinson, who was with her partner John Dickinson, had found herself at high altitude while hiking on Sunday.
A mountain rescue spokesman told the MailOnline that the couple ‘ended up on a more challenging route’ in the early afternoon after heading out on a hike.
They added that they had ‘turned back’ after realising they did not have the correct equipment to continue.
On the way back down, Ms Atkinson slipped and fell. She was pronounced dead when found by the authorities.
Tributes have been posted on social media to Ms Atkinson, who was a teacher at Roecliffe Church of England School near Boroughbridge and St Wilfrid’s Catholic School in Ripon.
One person posted:
“Heartbreaking news. This is so sad. She taught both our sons at Roecliffe. She was an amazing teacher and a lovely kind lady. Our thoughts are with her family, friends and pupils.”
Another said:
“Such sad news. My son loved her as a teacher and came home every Friday full of stories of what she taught him that day. Condolences to all her family and friends. RIP.”
Harrogate College to undergo £16m transformation
Harrogate College has been awarded £16m of government funding to replace its main building on Hornbeam Park.
The college, which serves the Harrogate district, is one of five education institutions in Yorkshire to receive funding from the Department for Education’s Further Education Capital Transformation Fund.
The £1.5 billion fund was set up last year to upgrade further education colleges over the next five years.
It means the Harrogate district will get a new a purpose-built space for technical and vocational education.
The new energy-efficient building will include a workshop providing facilities aligned to industry needs. It will complement the college’s existing tech centre, which is home to its motor vehicle, electrical, joinery and welding workshops.
An existing £4m budget will be used to pay for the demolition of the old college building.
A statement by the college today said the move will support priority growth sectors for Harrogate and North Yorkshire such as advanced manufacturing, low carbon construction, retrofit, sustainable energy and bioeconomy, health science and hospitality.
Danny Wild
Danny Wild, principal at Harrogate College, welcomed the funding and said it will go a long way in improving the college’s facilities.
“Being able to work towards having a net zero carbon building, alongside a learning environment that will help our students progress on to university or the workplace is central to our strategic priorities, and this funding will be central in supporting us to achieve this.
“The development will also help us deliver a wide range of T Level qualifications, which will not only close the skills gaps, but will reinforce the government’s nationwide plan to strengthen technical education and give it the credibility it deserves.
“This upgrade will strengthen the work we are doing with businesses in the district to deliver an employer-led curriculum, alongside supporting the council’s aims to prioritise and support ‘good growth’ in the district, and achieve a sustainable economy.”
As part of the project, there are also plans to install green electric based heating systems, as well as a soft landscaped social hub, which will improve biodiversity on site.
The government says the investment will ensure that colleges are “great places to learn and students have access to modern, fit-for-purpose facilities”.
Contactless donation points for homeless could come to Knaresborough and RiponContactless donation points which raise money for projects to tackle homelessness could come to Knaresborough and Ripon under an expansion of the Harrogate Street Aid scheme.
Street Aid was the first project of its kind in Yorkshire when it launched in 2019 and it has since raised over £20,000.
Three tap terminals have opened in Harrogate town centre and now more could be introduced in Knaresborough and Ripon.
It is a joint project from North Yorkshire Police, Harrogate Homeless Project and Harrogate Borough Council, which is looking into possible new donation points.
Helen Richardson, community safety officer at the council, said the money raised so far was having a positive impact on tackling begging and rough sleeping, and that there was now an opportunity to expand.
She wrote in a report:
“The number of reported incidents of street sleepers and begging has reduced in the time Harrogate Street Aid has been in existence.
“Street Aid continues to give a focus for agencies to work together to support those street sleeping and begging, and a reduction has been visible – particularly with regard to anti-social behaviour in Harrogate town centre.
“There has been much positive feedback and we can continue to work together to support those on the street or with a history of street sleeping.”
Street Aid was introduced after the number of people begging in Harrogate town centre increased and residents became concerned.
It was based on schemes in Cambridge and Norwich which saw similar problems on the streets.
Donations made through the tap terminals are not given directly to homeless people, but instead made available for things like training courses, gym memberships and work equipment.
To highlight the project’s success, the council previously shared stories of how the money has helped individuals.
One homeless man who was mugged and had his driving licence stolen was awarded a £350 grant to get his replacement licence and take a refresher forklift truck course to start his journey back into work.
Another individual who had a history of breaking into shops and substance misuse told probation officers that being able to access the local leisure centre would help him get in a better routine.
He was granted £500 for a leisure centre membership, training sessions and a voucher for equipment and clothing.
Three other homeless people were given £300 each for computer tablets to apply for jobs, maintain their benefits and stay in touch with family.
Councillor Mike Chambers, cabinet member for housing and safer communities at the council, previously said:
Review into stalking and harassment response in North Yorkshire“Harrogate District Street Aid is about making a real change to people who find themselves on the street.
“Some people assume that giving a few pounds to a beggar is helping them.
“Sadly, in some instances it may actually keep them on the street.
“Through Harrogate District Street Aid, we can work with our partner organisations to make best use of the money that has been kindly donated, work with homeless people and make a real difference to their lives.”
A review is to be carried out into how stalking and harassment is dealt with in North Yorkshire.
The review aims to help police and partners respond better to such incidents.
It is being funded by £100,000 of government money secured by Zoe Metcalfe, the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.
The review will be conducted in partnership with the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, a charity that aims to reduce the level of violence and aggression in society.
A press release by Ms Metcalfe’s office said:
“It will see a victim-focused assessment of local systems, processes, training and practice carried out to help North Yorkshire Police and partners understand and respond better to stalking and harassment.
“Bespoke training will be provided to police officers and staff from partner organisations to become ‘stalking and harassment advocates’ and provide information, support, advice and guidance to their colleagues.”
Me Metcalfe has also secured £700,000 to prevent neighbourhood crime with an extension of her office’s Protect Your Home scheme.
More than 1,000 homes and 90 farms along the borders of Harrogate borough and Craven district will use the funding to prevent burglaries and protect individuals, families and businesses,
Security upgrades include new locks for vulnerable doors, windows, garages and sheds, and alarm systems for farms and small holdings.
Eligible residents will receive a registration pack through the post shortly.
North Yorkshire Police will also purchase additional Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras and upgrade Rural Watch signs in specific locations to detect and deter potential burglars.
Total funding of £809,095 has been secured for the two schemes from the Home Office Safer Streets Fund, which the government launched in 2020 to reduce and prevent crime.
Preventing neighbourhood crime and addressing violence against women and girls are two of Ms Metcalfe’s priorities as commissioner.
She said the schemes will have “a real, tangible impact on how safe people feel both in and outside their homes”, adding:
“This is the fourth time the commissioner’s office has secured additional Home Office funding to support residents across North Yorkshire and York be safe and feel safe and I am confident that what these two schemes will deliver will make a huge difference to individuals, families and communities.”
Parishes eligible for the Protect Your Home scheme are:
Free activities to do with the kids this summer in the Harrogate district
As the cost of living continues to rise, the thought of six weeks of trying to keep the children entertained on a tight budget can be daunting.
Fortunately you don’t always have to spend a fortune to have a fun day out.
We have put together a selection of free activities to enjoy with your family across the Harrogate district.
The Jubilee activities in Harrogate and Ripon were hugely enjoyed, so the summer programme organised by Harrogate Borough Council is sure to be popular.
There will be a chance for young people to enjoy juggling and circus shows, magicians, character meet and greets, and mini discos at three of the district’s picturesque parks and gardens.
Valley Gardens, Harrogate on Thursday, August 11 and Friday, August 12 between 11am and 4pm
Knaresborough Castle on Friday, August 26 between 11am and 4pm
Ripon Spa Gardens on Saturday, August 27 between 11am and 3pm
The venues are also all worth visiting for a free day out, even if you are unable to make the parties.
You could enjoy a picnic and play in the Valley Gardens, plus a walk up to the Pinewoods. You could grab an ice cream and head to Knaresborough Castle, before wandering down the steps to the riverside. Or you could play a game of crazy golf in Ripon Spa Gardens.
If you live in the district, chances are you have already visited the unusual moorland rock formations at Brimham Rocks.
However, the summer holidays are the perfect excuse to head up there again with a picnic.
If you haven’t been, you’re in for a treat as it really is nature’s playground for the whole family. Just make sure the kids are wearing decent shoes so they can climb the rocks. Also taking a photo of your children pretending to either push a huge boulder over or hold one up is essential.
The views over Nidderdale are stunning too.
There’s no admission charge at Brimham Rocks. Parking is free for National Trust members.
For non-National Trust members, car parking charges are £6 for up to four hours and £8 thereafter.
On a rainy day, nothing beats a free trip to the library, where you can lose yourself in all the amazing children’s books on offer.
A Summer Reading Challenge is taking place to encourage your children to pick up a book, which isn’t always easy in the holidays.
Children aged four to 11 years just need to call in at their local library to sign up.
The leader of North Yorkshire County Council has spoken of his hope that the government will agree a devolution deal this Monday on Yorkshire Day.
Councillor Carl Les said while it had been hoped devolution for the county and York would be agreed before the parliamentary summer recess started last week, work was continuing to finalise a deal after almost 20 months of negotiations.
He told a meeting of the authority that the Department for Communities and Local Government had launched a process known as a “write-round”, to get the consent from other ministries, such as the Treasury, and Department of Transport, without having to hold a cabinet meeting.
It is understood if all the government departments are happy, a devolution deal could be announced within days.
Cllr Les said he was hopeful a deal could be reached by August 1.
Cllr Les has repeatedly emphasised the county has no right to devolution and that North Yorkshire and York have had to develop a case for the government giving up some of its powers.
If there is an objection from any ministry it could delay the deal until September.
A meeting of the authority heard concerns over the potential consequences of the government missing the target date.
The concerns follow Michael Gove’s departure as communities secretary prompting fears within local government that devolution might be postponed.
However, local government analysts have reported Mr Gove’s replacement, Greg Clark, is determined to keep to his predecessor’s target of getting nine devolution deals signed before the autumn.
There have also been concerns the deal could be delayed by an unwillingness to ratify major decisions during uncertainty over who will become the next prime minister.
It is believed the deal for York and North Yorkshire could potentially unlock around £2.4bn of investment over 30 years, with a focus on improving economic prosperity, creating more affordable housing and lead to the area becoming England’s first carbon negative economy.
Key to the asks which were put forward in December 2020 are wishes to take charge of delivering improved digital connectivity and the amount of “gain share” or extra funding from government.Gain share is being viewed as a key part of the devolution deal as it will remain the same flat rate for the next 30 years, whereas the devolvement of powers could continue to be negotiated at a later date.
No council tax money used to repair roads reveals county councilNorth Yorkshire County Council has revealed it does not use any council tax revenue on road repairs, despite it being among residents’ top concerns.
The authority’s highways executive member, conservative councillor Keane Duncan, highlighted the decision to focus its spending on other areas after hearing further complaints about the parlous state of roads from elected community representatives.
The authority has recognised for more than a decade that it faces a road repairs backlog running into hundreds of millions of pounds and has responded by prioritising routes.
In response to recent complaints, cllr Duncan has started a tour of the county’s 89 electoral divisions.
Ripon councillor Andrew Williams said cllr Duncan should invite North Yorkshire’s MPs to join him on his “state of the roads tour”.
He said:
“Pressure needs to be borne at government level as well to increase the settlement the county.”
Cllr Williams said some of the savings identified in local government reorganisation should be used for the repair of roads, which was residents’ number one complaint.
He added it would be of concern to residents that none of the council tax they paid was being used for highways maintenance:
“I think they equate the council tax they are paying and the state of the roads.
“I think if we are identifying £67m of savings across the county, some of those need to be invested in our highway network. ”
Scarborough councillor Tony Randerson said he had spent years pressing the council for some roads to be resurfaced, but ones in certain areas, such as Scarborough and Selby, appeared to be lower on the priority list to those in the Harrogate and Knaresborough.
He said:
“Becoming a unitary authority is not going to be good for places like Scarborough and Selby, and Eastfield particularly, because it is difficult enough now to get the necessary services. What’s it going to be like when it becomes ruled through Northallerton?”
The authority’s highways executive member, Councillor Keane Duncan, said during the recent election campaigns, residents’ road maintenance concerns had been among the leading issues raised on the doorstep.
He said:
“We have a network of 8,500km of surfaced road. Very roughly, with the budget we’ve got we can treat 300km annually, through a combination of surface dressing, resurfacing and reconstruction.”
Cllr Duncan said the government road repairs settlement for the county had been fixed at £40m for the next three years by the Department of Transport.
“We currently do not supplement or support that £40m settlement with local council taxpayer money. None of the council taxpayers to North Yorkshire County Council goes into that road maintenance.
“Clearly, £40m this year will not deliver the same as what £40m would deliver in future years, so what I am trying to do is to ascertain – and obviously we have a very difficult financial climate – what we can do to get the same bang for our buck in future years. as this year, and exploring those opportunities.”
Four traditional pubs to visit in the Harrogate district
A new generation of drinkers are being drawn to craft beer and cocktail bars, sparking a decline in traditional pubs.
And while many of us love a good Negroni or an IPA, you can’t beat a good old fashioned British boozer.
Fortunately we are still blessed’ with some excellent ones in the Harrogate district.
We asked our readers for their favourites. Here are four of them:
Reputedly, the oldest pub in Harrogate has a history going back to the earliest days of the town’s emergence as a leading spa resort.
Originating as one of the first inns for spa visitors after sulphur wells were first established in the mid-18th century, sulphur springs still flow beneath the cellar and the distinctive odours occasionally percolate up to the bar area.
The premises were rebuilt circa 1827 and known as The Promenade Inn. At this time it was said to be a most successful coaching inn. It was enlarged in 1856 and known as Hodgson’s until 1882, when William Hales became the landlord.
The interior decor is reflective of the pub’s long history, with mirrors and fittings from the Victorian era, including traditional gas lighting and cigar lighters.
Stray Ferret reader Richard Dunston Brady said:
“Hales, is the best traditional pub for charm, atmosphere, friendly staff and a well pulled pint.”
Hales Bar, 1-3 Crescent Road, Harrogate, HG1 2RS
The One-Eyed Rat is a traditional pub, famous for its old fashioned charm.
It can be found on Allhallowgate, one of the oldest parts of Ripon.
A real ale destination over many decades, the One Eyed Rat was refurbished and re-opened under new management in the summer of 2020.
A Grade II listed building set within a terrace of 200-year-old houses, its narrow frontage leads to a warm and welcoming hostelry.
The pub has a long, narrow interior with traditional seating and an open fire, and there is a large garden at the rear, including a covered area.
You can also enjoy a traditional pie and a pint.
The historic building dates back to 1340 and goes back several centuries as an inn.
It was almost certainly known as the Ship in the 17th century, as there is a token copper coin in existence, dated 1671, which shows a ship in full sale with the inscription “John Briggs in Aldborough his half penny”.
Brian Rey and Elaine Howden, the owners of The Ship Inn, have been restoring the pub since January following a fire. They have served many high-profile guests, including Prince William and Harry.
The traditional country pub in the Roman town of Aldborough is well-known for Brian’s Yorkshire puddings and ‘real gravy’.
Low Rd, Aldborough, YO51 9ER
Heated public meetings, protests outside council offices and legal challenges in the high court couldn’t stop Harrogate Borough Council from deciding that 3,000 homes should be built around the villages of Cattal, Green Hammerton and Kirk Hammerton.
The decision was mired with suspicion and ill feeling but now residents are trying to look ahead to how the project can work for them and the people who will eventually live there.
The cold-sounding “new settlement” has been given the more homely title of Maltkiln and a draft document has been published that outlines how the the 3,000 homes along with roads, schools, shops and public spaces will develop over the next few decades.
Since 2016 the name Green Hammerton became synonymous with the new settlement, usually in debates that pitted the merits of developing land there versus Flaxby, which is closer to Harrogate and Knaresborough.
The council’s preferred option for the settlement is now centred around Cattal railway station, on the other side of A59 from Green Hammerton.
Chris Hay and James Veitch are shareholders of Green Hammerton’s Post Office, which also serves as a shop, newsagent and soon-to-be cafe.
The two have a grudging acceptance that the homes will be built but are concerned that Maltkiln will erode the village’s identity, which stretches back to Domesday times.
Green Hammerton
They have already seen Green Hammerton, population 675, swell with three new build housing schemes in recent years.
Mr Veitch said:
“The word inevitable comes to mind but you have to be grown up and make the best of it”.
A development plan document (DPD) drawn up by Harrogate Borough Council includes a vision for what Maltkiln will eventually become, which is a “garden village with a distinctive identity where people want to live, work and spend time”.
It conjures up a pastoral scene but with an eventual population larger than Boroughbridge, calling Maltkiln a village is misleading to some.
Mr Veitch said:
“They call it a village don’t they? How on earth can you call a 3,000 development a village? It’s a town, not an insignificant one at that. It will be big enough to create traffic jams on the A59”.
3,000 new homes is likely to result in at least 6,000 cars. Mr Veitch fears that much more investment in Cattal Station is required if commuters are going to leave their cars at home.
Cattal Station
He added:
“There will be a lot of commuting, that’s the bottom line. The A59 will be busy and the railway will not increase its capacity much more than what it is. I don’t buy the argument that it’s a hub where you can transport 10,000 people to anywhere.
“People will still use their cars, anyone who suggests otherwise is naive.”
Keith Welton and his wife Val have lived in Cattal for 16 years, close to the railway station that the developer Oakgate Group hopes will be one of the unique selling points of Maltkiln.
With homes set to be built in green fields that currently surround the family home, Mr Welton might be forgiven for feeling negative or even bitter about the development.
However, he’s taking a pragmatic approach and sees several benefits that it could bring to the area and the people who live in the villages.
Serious infrastructure investment is promised in the DPD, including improvements to the dangerous Whixley crossing on the A59. Cattal Station already saw £10m of investment in 2020 to increase the number of trains to Harrogate and York.
Kirk Hammerton will also be impacted by Maltkiln
Mr Welton has seen his children and their friends priced out from living locally and he hopes affordable housing can inject some younger blood into the area.
He also hopes the new North Yorkshire Council will be firm with the developers and ensure that affordable housing genuinely is affordable.
Mr Welton said:
“There’s an acute need for affordable housing. Many of our young people come out of university and want to go to Leeds, Manchester or London. They settle down, and they want to come back. We need to capitalise on that talent and make housing available for them.”
“I’m 74 and you can’t have a village full of 74 year olds!”
A criticism of HBC for choosing Green Hammerton over Flaxby was a perception that its residents will be heading in one direction towards York for work and leisure.
But Mr Welton said the majority of his family’s trips are to Harrogate to visit restaurants or the theatre.
He believes Flaxby is “one of the most desirable commercial sites in the whole of North Yorkshire” and that homes built next to a noisy motorway would have made it a poor choice for housing.
He added:
“I do think the location for Maltkiln makes sense. It’s now up to people to make the best fist of it. It’s easy to be negative. We should turn those energies around to get the sort of development that will be an exemplar and people think, wow”.
The DPD for Maltkiln is 88 pages long and the words ‘climate change’ are mentioned on 36 of them.
It’s clear that HBC hopes the settlement will differ from every other large housing scheme in the district it has approved in recent years that have done little to tackle the climate emergency or help the council reach its emission reduction goals.
The government is set to ban gas boilers in new build homes from 2025. It means the homes in Maltkiln should be powered by renewable energy sources such as heat pumps or solar panels.
The document also claims the development will offer a “biodiversity net gain”, which is a planning phrase that means it will leave the environment in a better state than it was before the homes were built.
But when Maltkiln will involve concreting over vast swathes of green fields, it’s an ambition that could appear impossible.
Land in Cattal earmarked for development
Arnold Warneken, Green Party councillor for Ouseburn on North Yorkshire County Council, said he hopes the developer can be influenced to ensure go further than government regulations around the environment.
He said:
“It’s really, really important we don’t get into lip service and tokenism around biodiversity but it’s going to happen so let’s make sure it happens for best of our community, not just stand back and say I don’t agree with it.”
He added:
“The solution is not to concrete over it, but then the scenario is where do you build the houses? Some people say brownfield but people underestimate the biodiversity of brownfield sites, nature gets everywhere”.
Harrogate Borough Council will cease to exist in less than a year’s time but arguably the biggest decision it made during its existence was deciding to change the face of Green Hammerton, Kirk Hammerton and Cattal forever with the new settlement.
How successful Maltkiln will turn out could be HBC’s ultimate legacy.