£1 billion plan to dual A66 takes a step closer to construction

A £1 billion plan to dual one of the busiest roads in northern England has taken a step closer.

National Highways, formerly Highways England, wants to dual the remaining parts of the A66 between the M6 at Penrith and A1 at Scotch Corner.

The road is used by thousands of drivers in the north of England each day to travel between the north east and Cumbria and on to Scotland.

Now, proposals have taken a step further after the government’s Planning Inspectorate approved a development consent order from National Highways.

Lee Hillyard, National Highways’ A66 Northern Trans-Pennine project director, said:

“We are pleased that our DCO submission has been successful and accepted by the Planning Inspectorate and this marks another significant milestone for this important project.”

Should the Secretary of State for Transport give the final go-ahead for the scheme, construction will start in 2024.

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Hospitals, schools and care homes braced for record temperatures in Harrogate district

Schools, care homes and public services across the Harrogate district are putting in place measures to protect vulnerable people from the extreme temperatures expected today and tomorrow.

With the Met Office forecasting highs of 38C and red warnings in place, there is a risk to health, especially for the elderly, very young and people with existing medical conditions.

 

Ice creams for hospital patients

Measures are being put in place to help patients and staff keep cool at Harrogate District Hospital and Ripon Community Hospital.

On the wards and in outpatient areas, temperatures will be monitored and air conditioning units are available if needed. High risk patients will be watched closely and ice creams and lollies will be available to help people cool down.

A spokesperson for Harrogate District NHS Foundation Trust said staff have been given advice on ways to keep cool while working during the heatwave, including wearing light-weight scrubs.

Some appointments where physical exertion is needed, such as physio appointments, may be postponed until the weather is cooler.

The spokesperson said:

“Our emergency department is always busy and under pressure during severe weather due to an increased number of people visiting our hospital – some with heat related illnesses such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

“Waiting times to be seen during these times can be longer than usual due to demand.”

Anyone considering going to the emergency department is asked to call NHS 111 first or visit the 111 service online, unless it is a severe or life-threatening situation.

The service can offer advice and even book people in to be seen quickly on arrival if a hospital visit is needed.

Anyone arriving without an appointment will still be seen, with the most urgent cases being dealt with first.

 

Council bin collections to start earlier

A new recycling wheelie bin to be trialled in Knaresborough

Harrogate Borough Council has made some adjustments to its services in order to keep staff safe.

A spokesperson said:

“Waste and recycling collection rounds will be starting earlier in the morning to enable rounds to be completed earlier and limit work time in the hottest part of the day.

“In relation to our Brimhams Active health and wellbeing services, all staff cover heat exhaustion as part of their staff training, they will be reminded of what to look for and how to treat any incidences.

“At our community wellbeing hubs we have plans in place to increase breaks and water at all sessions.

“We are using the government guidance for vulnerable adults and will err on the side of caution and cancel when/if appropriate.”

Risk assessments have been completed for extreme heat and adjustments made, including for staff working outdoors. The spokesperson said there may be some changes to services if required to protect staff and vulnerable residents.

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Extra checks on vulnerable residents

As the public health authority for the Harrogate district, North Yorkshire County Council has issued advice about keeping homes cool, including:

The council’s director of public health, Louise Wallace, said:

“Those in our communities who may be more vulnerable will be receiving increased checks on them throughout hot spells.

“However, we would appeal to those who are able to take the time to check whether friends, relatives and neighbours need help and to call for assistance if necessary.

“Public buildings operated by the county council will also be kept as cool as possible while temperatures remain high, but we would advise people to avoid making unnecessary journeys while the weather remains hot.

 

Care homes focus on hydration

Jill Young, operations director at Vida Healthcare, said its homes have plans in place ready to be activated in the event of a heatwave and some measures began to be introduced last week.

She said hydration was a particular focus, as well as adapted menus with cold foods to reduce use of ovens in the kitchen, adding:

“During hot weather, we also introduce extra fluid measures. Our chefs make jelly sweets that contain 20ml of water per sweet – our residents love them and it can be a straightforward way of giving them a little extra fluid.

“Our freezers are kept stocked with ice creams and ice lollies for both staff and residents which are available at all times, and our residents also have access to jugs of juice and water in their rooms and the communal areas.

“We’re very lucky that all three of our homes have access to secure outdoor spaces with shaded areas that our residents can enjoy.

“If a resident is keen to go outside, our staff will make sure they’re wearing a hat and suncream, and will encourage them to sit in the shade to keep safe from the sun.”

At Emmaus House, opposite Harrogate’s Valley Gardens, manager Chrissie Steel said extra jugs of cold squash will be placed around the home.

“For people with dementia, they may not be able to recognise they are thirsty, or to tell us they need a drink, but they can often point to a jug if they see one.

“We’re very fortunate to be close to the Valley Gardens to get outside when it’s cool enough – and many of our residents who have spent time in Africa earlier in life absolutely love this heat!”

 

Schools relax uniform policy

Some schools have relaxed uniform policies for Monday and Tuesday, allowing students to attend in light-weight clothing.

Many have said they will keep children indoors during the hottest part of the day and will be ensuring they drink more water than usual.

NYCC public health director Louise Wallace said:

“Staff in schools are aware of the potential risks created by a heatwave and school children should aim to have sun cream applied before attending school next week, and ensure they have a refillable water bottle with them.”

 

Warning over power supplies

Northern Powergrid has warned the high temperatures could cause disruption to power supplies.

It has asked people to report power cuts via its website or by calling 105.

Anyone who could need more assistance in a power cut, such as people with medical conditions or disabilities, or families with very young children, can sign up for priority services membership and will be kept updated during any disruption.

A spokesperson for Northern Powergrid said:

“Our customer support vehicles are also prepped and ready to go out into local communities, where possible.

“We have also taken action to remind our people of the importance of staying hydrated and protected so they can continue to work safely during the hot weather.”

 

Social care pilot scheme in Harrogate district ‘could bankrupt council’ without more funding

A national overhaul of the adult social care system will be trialled across North Yorkshire next year – but could leave authorities with a budget deficit stretching into the millions.

North Yorkshire County Council is one of five authorities signed up to be part of the pilot scheme from January, before it is rolled out across the country in October 2023.

It will see a cap of £86,000 placed on each individual’s spending on their care in their lifetime, after which the local authority will fund it for as long as needed.

The reforms will also allow people to retain up to £100,000 of their own assets and still qualify for funding for their care. The current limit is £23,250.

While the result will be a benefit to individuals who get to keep more of their own money and pass it on to their relatives, there is an obvious challenge facing local authorities.

NYCC believes the new system could cost it £45m per year more than it currently pays for adult social care, and it has yet to be told how much money it will be given for the pilot scheme, known as ‘trailblazers’.

Cllr Michael Harrison, executive member for health and adult care, told the Stray Ferret:

“It will benefit residents because no-one is going to pay more [for their care during their lifetime]. Most people are going to pay less, depending on how long they’re in the care system.

“It’s entirely positive for residents from a financial perspective. The rub is, who’s going to fund it?”

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At the same time as the changes to funding are introduced, reforms in care fees are being planned.

They will do away with the current two-tier system, which sees local authorities pay a lower rate than a private individual has to pay for the same care.

Cllr Harrison said it is not yet clear what the new fees would be, but it was inevitable that local authorities would end up paying more so care homes did not see a drop in funding.

“If you reduce their income, the viability of the market is threatened.

“Whatever we’re paying, when it comes down to what the individuals working in social care earn, most of them are either on minimum wage or not far off.”

Cllr Michael Harrison

While those two reforms to funding and charging are being planned, a third financial implication for local authorities will come in the form of overseeing an inevitable rise in the number of people accessing local authority funding towards their care.

“The sheer workload of assessment and brokerage and IT – there’s a huge weight of bureaucracy surrounding that because there’s just going to be more people in the system.

“We don’t know how many people are out there self-funding who will come to us – why would we?

“It’s new costs in a market that’s already under stress. How much, we don’t know.

“A piece of work has been done by the County Council Network and we think this could all cost NYCC up to £45m a year – additional [to what it already spends on care].”

Implementation of the new equal care fees system has recently been delayed by the government. The new funding structure being introduced next year will also only apply to people entering the care system, not those already in it.

While this takes the immediate pressure off NYCC’s budget by phasing in some of the changes, Cllr Harrison and his department’s officers know the full impact will be felt in the future.

Care home

The changes are set to be funded by the new health and social care levy, brought into effect in April, which has seen a 1.25% increase in National Insurance. The money raised is to be shared between the NHS – which will take most of it – and adult social care.

However, the current Conservative leadership race has seen almost all of the contenders to be Prime Minister declare they would scrap the levy – yet none has said what they would do about funding the scheme without it.

Meanwhile, Cllr Harrison said it has not yet been confirmed what NYCC’s share of the money will be to fund the new system coming into force in less than six months.

“If we apply the normal ratios, we can usually be pretty confident what our share of funding would be. If we’re right, we’ve got up to a £23m hole in our budget in a council already producing a structural deficit of £50m. It would bankrupt us.”

So why did NYCC agree to be part of the trailblazers project, bringing the problems of the new system forward by nine months?

Cllr Harrison said he believes North Yorkshire County Council has a reputation for being competent and working constructively with central government.

At the same time, North Yorkshire has certain characteristics that can be tested through the pilot scheme: an older than average population, a large, rural landscape, with 500 care providers spread across it, and a relatively high proportion of self-funders accessing services.

The rural nature of the county, along with a higher than average elderly population, make it a useful case study for the government to test how its new system will work.

He also hopes it will be an opportunity to make careers in care better funded and more respected, in line with the council’s Make Care Matter campaign.

“Part of being involved in the trailblazers is to try and shape government policy to understand the challenges and find solutions to those challenges and pilot the changes up front.

“The risk to us is if it’s going to hurt us financially before the rest of the country.”

However, he said, there are clauses in the agreement which will allow NYCC to pull out if the scheme is not working and to revert to the current arrangements until all councils move to the new system after the pilot concludes.

The aim, however, is to go through the trailblazers project with the ear of the government, proving that more money is needed before it can be rolled out further. But will the funding come through?

“I’m hopeful. If it doesn’t, it will bankrupt a number of councils round the country and potentially impact the viability of the whole care sector.”

Village show season set to start in Harrogate district

Get set for melting ice creams, home-grown marrows, dog shows and death-defying display teams… the village show season is about to begin.

After two covid-ruined years, these quintessentially British events are returning to the Harrogate district.

The Masham Steam Engine and Fair Organ Rally, which includes a Lancaster bomber fly past and dancing differs, takes place today and tomorrow.

The action comes thick and fast then. Here’s what’s happening.

July 24: Aldborough and Boroughbridge Agricultural Show

The show at Newby Hall celebrates its 107th anniversary this year.

It will feature Yorkshire produce, crafts and livestock as well as attractions and events ranging from dog, cattle and sheep showing classes to horse, pony and donkey events and hay making demonstrations.

There will be crafts, cream teas, heavy horses, baking, handicrafts, horticulture, flower arranging, photography and farm produce.

Aldborough and Boroughbridge show

Aldborough and Boroughbridge Show.

The grand ring will host children’s races, terrier racing always and a dog show.

Catherine Park Peyton, chair of the show:

“Our show is one of the biggest community events in the area and we are very pleased to work in partnership with Newby Hall where the parkland provides the perfect backdrop for a country show.”

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July 30: Birstwith Show

The village show in Nidderdale will be staged for the first time in three years.

The highlights include a bicycle display team, Pete White and his Suitcase Circus, dog agility classes, a pony show and a dog show.

First held in 1867, it is one of the mainstays of the show season.

July 31: Weeton Show

Weeton Show, which was created just after the Second World War, was one of the few to take place last year and was rewarded with a huge turnout.

This year’s event features Dangerous Steve in the main ring, terrier racing, vintage tractors and a farrier demonstration.

August 7: Tockwith Show

Tockwith Show will return for 2022 in August.

The show features plenty of agriculture and horticultural attractions. There is also a sheep show, a farmers market and working crafts.

Tockwith Show 2019 pic credit: Steve Ross

Tockwith Show 2019 pic credit: Steve Ross

The show, which dates back to 1945, takes place on Cattal Moor Lane in Tockwith.

August 14: Ripley Show

The show, initially held in 1849, will be staged for the first time in three years.

Among this year’s attractions are Savage Skills, who are the UK’s leading freestyle mountain bike and BMX stunt team.

There are also jumping classes, fancy dress, vintage machines and dog classes which include dog agility, companion dog and friends show, terrier racing, gun dog retrieve and sheep dogs.

Ripley Show is traditionally held on the second Sunday in August at Ripley Castle Park.

It is organised by Ripley and District Agricultural and Horticultural Show Ltd, a member of the Yorkshire Federation of Show Societies.

September 19: Nidderdale Show

The Annual Nidderdale Show, held in the picturesque surrounds of Bewerley Park, Pateley Bridge, is one of the county’s foremost agricultural shows.

It regularly attracts crowds of 15,000 and traditionally marks the end of the agricultural show season.

Harrogate district prepares for heatwave as red weather warning issued

The Met Office has upgraded its weather warnings to red for the Harrogate district on Monday and Tuesday next week.

Temperatures are set to rise as high as 38C in the early part of the week, before dropping rapidly from Wednesday onwards.

The warmer weather begins tomorrow, with highs of 24C, rising to 30C on Sunday. A previous amber weather warning has been upgraded to red, meaning there is a risk to health among the general population, not just the most vulnerable.

A spokesperson for the Met Office said:

“Exceptional, perhaps record-breaking, temperatures are likely on Monday, then again on Tuesday.

“Nights are also likely to be exceptionally warm for the UK, especially in urban areas. This is likely to lead to widespread impacts on people and infrastructure.”

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The forecast has prompted some event organisers across the Harrogate district to make changes to their plans.

At St Michael’s Hospice on Hornbeam Park, Harrogate, an open garden event on Sunday has been brought forward to the morning rather than later in the day as the heat increases, and organisers are reminding visitors to bring sun hats and sunscreen.

St Michael's Hospice

A spokesperson said:

“While the beautiful warm weather looks set to continue, there is plenty of shady areas, lots of water available and – while stocks last – free ice cream and ice lollies to cool you down, thanks to the charity’s corporate supporters Froneri.

“Drop in any time between 10am and 12 to see stunning views and garden areas, enjoy refreshments and a mindful moment. Entry is free, however do bring some cash as there will also be a raffle and a plant sale.”

Harrogate Borough Council is also considering changing the location of an event on Sunday evening. A spokesperson said:

“We are looking at the best location for the open air theatre in the Valley Gardens on Sunday to ensure there is shade available under trees.”

Meanwhile, care homes are being given advice by North Yorkshire County Council to keep their residents well during the high temperatures.

Cllr Michael Harrison, executive member for health and adult services, told the Stray Ferret:

“We have got regular communication with all of our care homes. We’ve about 225 care homes in North Yorkshire and we make sure from a public health perspective that we give various messages about keeping out of the sun, drinking lots of fluids and being more concerned about the welfare of people.

“That’s not only in care settings – it’s also for people to look out for their next door neighbours and other vulnerable people.”

‘Good’ rating from Ofsted for Boroughbridge school

Ofsted has praised Boroughbridge Primary School for the way it engages pupils with their learning as it awarded it a ‘good’ rating.

A two-day inspection in May found children were well-behaved and polite, showing “positive and attentive” attitudes.

In their report, the inspector said:

“Boroughbridge Primary School is a friendly and welcoming place. Pupils feel safe, happy and enjoy their learning.

“Relationships are a strength of the school. As one pupil put it, ‘We have kind teachers, kind children and lovely school cooks!’

“Pupils work hard to meet their teachers’ high expectations and do well.”

The inspector found teachers consistently checked pupils’ knowledge and what they could remember in lessons. However, she said more could be done to carry out assessments over time to look for and address gaps in knowledge.

She also found that teachers were not always clear on what pupils should know in each subject area, but said school leaders were already working towards addressing this.

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The report said the school had had a change of leadership recently, with an interim headteacher and deputy head appointed. The inspector added:

“Leaders have brought about many positive changes to the school in a short space of time. They are developing a broad and ambitious curriculum.

“Staff are well supported by school leaders and governors. Staff value this. They know that they can ask for help, particularly with workload. Staff appreciate the care and consideration given to their well-being.

“There is a positive culture of teamwork between leaders, staff and governors.”

Boroughbridge Primary School has 175 pupils aged between three and 11. Its previous inspections in 2017 and 2013 both also gave a ‘good’ rating.

Bus services ‘facing potential cliff-edge’

Bus services in a county that failed to secure any money to improve services in the government’s high-profile Bus Back Better scheme are now facing “a potential cliff-edge”, North Yorkshire’s transport boss has warned.

In a statement to a meeting of North Yorkshire County Council next Wednesday, Cllr Keane Duncan said the authority was aware several of the county’s commercial routes were facing “significant pressures”, due to the loss of government subsidies in three months.

The warning from the Conservative-led council’s executive member for highways and transportation comes ahead of bus services across the country having to introduce a £2 price cap on local and regional journeys from October.

It also comes just three months after it emerged the authority’s £116 million Bus Back Better bid had been rejected in its entirety by the government, which claimed the bid had lacked “sufficient ambition”.

As winning the grant had been crucial for elements of the county’s Bus Service Improvement Plan, the authority expressed dismay at the decision.

Even ahead of the decision in March, members of the authority’s executive had underlined the need for bus services for the county’s rural communities, which dwindled following significant austerity cutbacks.

Cllr Duncan said the council had launched a review of the passenger service network across the county to understand which could become threatened in the coming months.

He said:

“The end of the Commercial Bus Services Support Grant provided by central government in October presents a potential cliff-edge in terms of the future profitability of routes our residents rely upon.”

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He said the review would enable him to assess potential support the council could provide “to keep as many of our vital services running as possible”.

The authority’s opposition leader, Councillor Bryn Griffiths, said concerns had been mounting for the viability of some bus services as they appeared to have reached a tipping point.

Coun Griffiths said by giving one-off grants for specific projects limited to certain places the government was failing to provide the resources needed to improve access to public transport across England’s largest county.

He said:

“It’s an appalling situation. We lose out in the north of England in rural areas because the government doesn’t recognise the issues.

“Places like Bilsdale have no bus services on Sundays because the county council cannot afford to subsidise them, so people can’t get to hospitals to visit their loved ones. Cutting services even further is just ridiculous.

“It’s a vicious circle. You get fewer services, so it gets less and less attractive for people to use.”

 

New town with 3,000 homes could get just 20% affordable housing

The proportion of affordable homes to be built at Harrogate’s biggest development in decades could be just 20 per cent.

Maltkiln is a 3,000-home settlement planned for the Hammerton and Cattal area.

It aims to play a major role in addressing the district’s housing need by providing “much-needed homes and jobs in a sustainable location”.

But a newly-published development plan document from Harrogate Borough Council states that the number of homes to be classed as affordable is “anticipated to be within a range of 20 to 40 per cent”.

The council’s target for affordable homes at all new housing sites is 40 per cent.

It said achieving this figure at Maltkiln will be “challenging” as the development needs to be financially viable.

Yet the council also admits the affordability of homes is a “key issue” that needs to be addressed as Harrogate remains as one of the most unaffordable places to live in England.

High house prices

Average house prices in the district are around 11 times average incomes, forcing many people out of the area.

The Maltkiln document states:

“Whilst we want to strive to deliver as much affordable housing as possible, an element of flexibility will also be required.

“This is explicitly acknowledged in the justification to the affordable housing policy where delivery is anticipated to be within a range of 20% to 40%.”

The document also said this range is “not out of step” with other large housing settlements elsewhere in the UK “where figures of 15 per cent, 25 per cent and 35 per cent have been set”.

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But councillor Pat Marsh, leader of the opposition Liberal Democrat group on the council, said the authority should be aiming for at least its own 40 per cent target in order to provide homes for those most in need.

She also said that during the creation of the Harrogate district Local Plan 2014-35, her party’s vision for Maltkiln was an “eco-village” which is not car dependent and has many community facilities.

Cllr Marsh said:

“That eco-village had to be in a sustainable place and therefore the area around the Hammertons with two rail halts seemed an ideal place.

“Once taken up and accepted as the new settlement site, there has been a need to ensure all the right infrastructure is in place to serve the existing and new community.

“This includes schools including a secondary school, shops, open spaces and sports pitches. Also, that the houses built would be carbon neutral.

“Added to that the requirement of 40 per cent affordable homes which is very important and we should not consider the delivery of less.”

Flaxby rejected

The Hammerton and Cattal area was chosen as the location for the huge housing plans after rival proposals for 2,750 homes on the former Flaxby Golf Course were rejected by the council in a decision which led to a legal challenge from the developers.

The proposals for Maltkiln include two primary schools and land for a secondary school, as well as shops, employment space and a GP surgery which will be centred around the train station.

The council said it chose this location due to its transport links with the York-Harrogate-Leeds railway line and the A59.

It also said this location will “steer development away” from nearby residents who previously warned the housing plans will be “utterly devastating” for surrounding villages.

A six-week consultation on the development plan document is planned for October when residents will be asked to share their views on areas including roads and public transport.

After this, the document will then be submitted to the government for public examination.

Positive covid patients at Harrogate hospital doubles in three weeks

The number of patients at Harrogate District Hospital who tested positive for covid has more than doubled in three weeks.

Latest figures supplied by Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust show 35 covid-positive patients are currently in hospital — a rise from 14 on June 25.

Of that number, six are primarily receiving treatment for covid.

The figure peaked at 42 positive patients on July 5, but has since declined.

Harrogate hospital officials have put the rise in cases down to the spread of the more transmissible Omicron variant.

Health officials have warned that hospitals are under extreme pressure due to a rise in cases.

West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts, which includes Harrogate hospital, said that the increase in cases has meant the availability of beds has been impacted.

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This combined with covid-related staff sickness means patients are also facing delays for planned treatment, officials said.

Dr Phil Wood, chief medical officer at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: 

“The significant upsurge in covid-19 cases in West Yorkshire and Harrogate means that our hospitals are facing extreme pressures. Our teams are doing everything they can to make sure that services are safe and, in some cases, planned treatment may need to be postponed.

“We are aware that some people have been waiting for planned operations for a very long time and, wherever possible, we will ensure these go ahead as planned.

“Thankfully, the number of very seriously ill people needing treatment in intensive care for covid-19 is very small and accounts for less than two per cent of total inpatient cases. 

“The covid-19 vaccine is very effective at preventing severe disease in those who have been immunised and I’d encourage anyone who has not yet had their vaccine to book an appointment through the NHS.uk website.”

Local firm averts traffic danger at Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Show

Quick-thinking traffic management staff averted a highly dangerous situation on a main road outside Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Show this morning.

Staff at SEP Events, which is based in Boroughbridge, discovered 450 cones and 25 signs were missing when they arrived for work shortly before 6am this morning.

The items, worth thousands of pounds, are believed to have been stolen either by another firm or by thieves looking to sell them on. Several sources have confirmed the details to the Stray Ferret.

The cones and signs were taken at the Kestrel roundabout, which has been the busiest point for traffic during the show, and at the nearby junction of Wetherby Road and Rudding Lane.

SEP Events cones

An SEP van at the Kestrel roundabout.

The stretch of Wetherby Road between the two locations usually accommodates two-way traffic but a one-way system has been operating from 6am until 8pm each day of the show to improve traffic flow.

The cones and signs have played a key part in enforcing this.

But with the items missing, and 6.30am approaching, there could have been chaos with traffic heading towards the show from the Kestrel roundabout in both lanes meeting head-on vehicles travelling in the other direction that should have been diverted off Wetherby Road.

SEP Events at Great Yorkshire Show

SEP employees had to stand in the road in high visibility jackets and use their vehicles to direct traffic while colleagues went back to Boroughbridge to get replacement cones and signs.

Shortly after 7am traffic measures were back in place and no accidents had occurred.

Traffic cones cost several pounds each and weigh about 6kg so whoever was responsible is believed to have had a trailer with a high load-bearing capacity.

North Yorkshire Police has issued an appeal for information. It said in a statement:

“The cones and signage were installed as part of traffic management for the Great Yorkshire Show and the theft led to significant disruption for motorists and showgoers.

“It is believed the items were taken between 9pm on Tuesday 12 July and 4am on Wednesday 13 July so police are appealing for anyone who might have seen anything which could help the investigation.”

The Stray Ferret has contacted SEP Events about the incident.