What did police and fire commissioner Zoe Metcalfe achieve?

After two-and-a-half years in office, police commissioner Zoe Metcalfe bowed out from public life this past week.

On Monday, the position of North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner was abolished as powers were transferred to the newly created Mayor of York and North Yorkshire.

The decision spelt the end for Ms Metcalfe’s £76,300 a year role, which she was elected to in November 2021 after succeeding fellow Conservative Philip Allott.

Her tenure saw a strategy for violence against women and girls introduced, plus a drive to improve call handling times.

But it also saw Ms Metcalfe oversee a controversial plan to cut the number of overnight fire engines in Harrogate from two to one.

The Stray Ferret requested an interview with the former commissioner to discuss her tenure, but a spokesperson for her office said she was unavailable due to “the volume of her commitments in her final few days”.

In this article, we look at Ms Metcalfe’s time as commissioner and analyse her performance.

999 calls

During her campaign to become commissioner, Ms Metcalfe pledged to improve the performance of North Yorkshire Police – in particular call handling.

The issue was encapsulated by the public routinely complaining about long waits for emergency calls to be answered.

Police reported in January 2023 that fewer than half of 999 calls were being answered on time.

North Yorkshire Police force control room

North Yorkshire Police force control room

Between November 2021 and November 2022, only 44% were answered within 10 seconds. The national target for forces is 90%.

Ms Metcalfe made improving response times one of her priorities and announced a £2.5m investment into the control room, which included hiring 50 more staff to ease pressure.

By January this year, the force met the national target for call handling times.

Cllr Chris Aldred, a Liberal Democrat who sits on the North Yorkshire police, fire and crime panel that scrutinised Ms Metcalfe’s performance, pointed to the area as a sign of improvement.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“I would say that commissioner Metcalfe has definitely outperformed the two previous occupants of the role. Although, to be absolutely honest, this is rather a low bar to set. 

“I do appreciate the transparency and commitment Zoe brought to the post. Under her watch performance has improved, notably in the outcome of recent inspection reports for both services, the performance of the police control room, where thanks to additional funding she has invested, call time answering has improved significantly.”

However, despite strides in improving the police force, the fire service proved a more contentious service to handle.

Fire cuts opposition

In May 2022, Ms Metcalfe unveiled her risk and resource model, which set out how the fire service will deploy its resources over the next three years. It puts the emphasis on fire prevention, especially during the day when most fires occur.

The plan, which covered the three years from 2022 to 2025, included a proposal to reduce the number of fire engines operating overnight at Harrogate and Scarborough fire stations from two to one.

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The move was met with criticism from the North Yorkshire Fire Brigades Union, which warned that such a decision would lead to a “second-rate emergency response service that will put lives at risk”.

However, in an interview with the Stray Ferret in June 2022, Ms Metcalfe disagreed with the union’s criticism.

She said:

“From everything I’ve seen I’m confident that won’t happen.”

Ms Metcalfe also argued that the proposals meant more resources for fire prevention.

The move came at a time of a bleak financial picture for the service.

Harrogate fire station on Skipton Road.

Harrogate fire station on Skipton Road.

In January 2022, the Stray Ferret revealed that North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service faced having to borrow up to £31 million to fund new equipment after the government abolished its capital grant.

At the time, Steve Howley, secretary of the North Yorkshire Fire Brigade’s Union, said the service was “struggling to buy the basics”.

He said:

“The government needs to start taking fire and rescue seriously and fund it appropriately. The firefighters of North Yorkshire are staring down the barrel of a gun, either cut firefighter jobs to pay for basic provisions or fail to have adequate facilities or equipment.

“Neither option provides the public of North Yorkshire with the protection they deserve or require.”

The Stray Ferret approached North Yorkshire Fire Brigade’s Union for comment, but had not received a response by the time of publication.

Meanwhile, Ms Metcalfe told councillors during public meetings that she would lobby government for fairer funding, but this appears to have not had the desired effect.

In February, the commissioner recommended to increase the council tax precept for the fire service by 2.99% because it was the maximum increase permitted by government without a referendum.

Cllr Aldred said he felt that the commissioner could have done more to pressure ministers to come up with a better model for financing rural fire services.

He said:

“I do think the outgoing commissioner could have put more pressure on central government for more funding for the North Yorkshire fire service. 

“The national funding model always works against a large rural fire service, who rely extensively on volunteer fire fighters and often have to travel large distances to reach fires in England’s largest geographical county.”

The trials and tribulations which come with scrutinising and commissioning police and fire services now lie with David Skaith, the Labour mayor of York and North Yorkshire.

Controversy over taxi fare rise in North Yorkshire

Taxi passengers in North Yorkshire are facing having to pay five per cent more per mile in the face of appeals to increase and lower maximum permitted fares across the county.

North Yorkshire Council’s executive agreed to the daytime rates rise, extending night-time rates time to eight hours from 10pm and increasing the maximum call-out charge from £1 to £1.50 after hearing taxi drivers were divided over the rates which should be charged.

If the move is not contested, day-time taxis will be able to charge £4 for the first quarter mile and 20p for every extra quarter mile or 35 seconds of waiting time.

Ripon cabbie Richard Fieldman told the leading councillors the 70 drivers from Whitby to Harrogate he represented were opposed to the proposals.

He said:

“What you see before you today is totally unacceptable for those that work nights and the unsocial Christmas period. The proposal gives no increase to those working these hours which less and less drivers are prepared to work these days.”

The meeting was told one of the proposed changes, to start higher rates from 10pm rather than 11pm, would have a minimal impact on night-time drivers.

He added:

“It is ironic that officers recognise that drivers need rewarding for late-night unsocial hours with abusive, alcohol and drug-fuelled customers, yet are failing to provide them with the same increase as the day-time drivers.”

Mr Fieldman said the £1 per mile call-out charge had remained the same for many years and when combined with higher fuel costs had become “unviable in a vast rural county” to travel significant distances to pick up passengers who only wanted to go a few miles.

The meeting heard drivers were refusing to do these types of journey, leaving some passengers unable to get home. In addition, areas such as Northallerton, Thirsk, Ripon and Skipton had serious shortages of drivers working unsocial hours and the proposals would ensure even less cover.

Ripon councillor Barbara Brodigan told the meeting recent changes in Barnsley similar to the North Yorkshire proposals had led to too few or no taxis being available during holiday periods and at night-time.

However, Cllr Kevin Foster, who represents Colburn, an area with amongst the highest levels of deprivation in the county, said he received a lot of complaints over the cost of taxi fares.

He said the public needed to be made aware taxis did not have to charge the maximum permitted fares.

Several executive members said they felt the proposals represented a reasonable compromise.

While the fare increase will be subject to consultation if anyone objects, managing our environment executive member Councilor Greg White said some people had called for the maximum charges to be lowered to make North Yorkshire more competitive with nearby areas.

He said a three-mile trip in Barnsley would cost £8.90, but in North Yorkshire it would be £14.98.

A report to the meeting showed while a 20-mile night-time journey in North Yorkshire would cost £68.67, in Bradford passengers would be charged £42.40, in Leeds and £49.45 in East Riding.

Cllr White said:

“We are already more expensive than Bradford, Durham, East Riding, Lancaster, Leeds, Redcar and Cleveland and York. So I’m really keen that we don’t get to the situation where we do an injustice to the people who use the taxi service by making those taxis become unaffordable.”

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Stunning Northern Lights display lights up Harrogate skies

The Harrogate district was treated to a stunning display of the Northern Lights last night.

The aurora borealis was visible across the country last night.

Readers from across the district shared their pictures with the Stray Ferret of the natural light display which left sky watchers in awe.

You can enjoy some of the spectacular photographs below. Share your pictures with us via contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Justina Halfpenny at Knox Mill Lane.

Justina Halfpenny at Knox Mill Lane.

Syd Bell at West Park.

Syd Bell at West Park.

Emma Pittard at Almscliffe Crag.

Emma Pittard at Almscliffe Crag.

Molly Fetherston at Grantley Hall.

Molly Fetherston at Grantley Hall.

Julie Valentine in Harrogate.

Julie Valentine in Harrogate.

Kelly Teggin in Knaresborough.

Helen Baxter in Knaresborough.

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What did police and fire commissioner Zoe Metcalfe achieve?

After two-and-a-half years in office, police commissioner Zoe Metcalfe bowed out from public life this past week.

On Monday, the position of North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner was abolished as powers were transferred to the newly created Mayor of York and North Yorkshire.

The decision spelt the end for Ms Metcalfe’s £76,300 a year role, which she was elected to in November 2021 after succeeding fellow Conservative Philip Allott.

Her tenure saw a strategy for violence against women and girls introduced, plus a drive to improve call handling times.

But it also saw Ms Metcalfe oversee a controversial plan to cut the number of overnight fire engines in Harrogate from two to one.

The Stray Ferret requested an interview with the former commissioner to discuss her tenure, but a spokesperson for her office said she was unavailable due to “the volume of her commitments in her final few days”.

In this article, we look at Ms Metcalfe’s time as commissioner and analyse her performance.

999 calls

During her campaign to become commissioner, Ms Metcalfe pledged to improve the performance of North Yorkshire Police – in particular call handling.

The issue was encapsulated by the public routinely complaining about long waits for emergency calls to be answered.

Police reported in January 2023 that fewer than half of 999 calls were being answered on time.

North Yorkshire Police force control room

North Yorkshire Police force control room

Between November 2021 and November 2022, only 44% were answered within 10 seconds. The national target for forces is 90%.

Ms Metcalfe made improving response times one of her priorities and announced a £2.5m investment into the control room, which included hiring 50 more staff to ease pressure.

By January this year, the force met the national target for call handling times.

Cllr Chris Aldred, a Liberal Democrat who sits on the North Yorkshire police, fire and crime panel that scrutinised Ms Metcalfe’s performance, pointed to the area as a sign of improvement.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“I would say that commissioner Metcalfe has definitely outperformed the two previous occupants of the role. Although, to be absolutely honest, this is rather a low bar to set. 

“I do appreciate the transparency and commitment Zoe brought to the post. Under her watch performance has improved, notably in the outcome of recent inspection reports for both services, the performance of the police control room, where thanks to additional funding she has invested, call time answering has improved significantly.”

However, despite strides in improving the police force, the fire service proved a more contentious service to handle.

Fire cuts opposition

In May 2022, Ms Metcalfe unveiled her risk and resource model, which set out how the fire service will deploy its resources over the next three years. It puts the emphasis on fire prevention, especially during the day when most fires occur.

The plan, which covered the three years from 2022 to 2025, included a proposal to reduce the number of fire engines operating overnight at Harrogate and Scarborough fire stations from two to one.

Read more:

The move was met with criticism from the North Yorkshire Fire Brigades Union, which warned that such a decision would lead to a “second-rate emergency response service that will put lives at risk”.

However, in an interview with the Stray Ferret in June 2022, Ms Metcalfe disagreed with the union’s criticism.

She said:

“From everything I’ve seen I’m confident that won’t happen.”

Ms Metcalfe also argued that the proposals meant more resources for fire prevention.

The move came at a time of a bleak financial picture for the service.

Harrogate fire station on Skipton Road.

Harrogate fire station on Skipton Road.

In January 2022, the Stray Ferret revealed that North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service faced having to borrow up to £31 million to fund new equipment after the government abolished its capital grant.

At the time, Steve Howley, secretary of the North Yorkshire Fire Brigade’s Union, said the service was “struggling to buy the basics”.

He said:

“The government needs to start taking fire and rescue seriously and fund it appropriately. The firefighters of North Yorkshire are staring down the barrel of a gun, either cut firefighter jobs to pay for basic provisions or fail to have adequate facilities or equipment.

“Neither option provides the public of North Yorkshire with the protection they deserve or require.”

The Stray Ferret approached North Yorkshire Fire Brigade’s Union for comment, but had not received a response by the time of publication.

Meanwhile, Ms Metcalfe told councillors during public meetings that she would lobby government for fairer funding, but this appears to have not had the desired effect.

In February, the commissioner recommended to increase the council tax precept for the fire service by 2.99% because it was the maximum increase permitted by government without a referendum.

Cllr Aldred said he felt that the commissioner could have done more to pressure ministers to come up with a better model for financing rural fire services.

He said:

“I do think the outgoing commissioner could have put more pressure on central government for more funding for the North Yorkshire fire service. 

“The national funding model always works against a large rural fire service, who rely extensively on volunteer fire fighters and often have to travel large distances to reach fires in England’s largest geographical county.”

The trials and tribulations which come with scrutinising and commissioning police and fire services now lie with David Skaith, the Labour mayor of York and North Yorkshire.

Knaresborough businessman denies £200,000 business scam

A man has appeared in court charged with an alleged £200,000 business scam involving covid loans and accounting records.

David Allon, 44, from Knaresborough, appeared at York Magistrates Court yesterday when he pleaded not guilty to nine separate allegations regarding two businesses he was allegedly running between June 2020 and August 2023.

They include two allegations of fraud by false representation in June 2020 in relation to applications for a ‘bounce-back’ covid business loan involving the two named companies he was said to be running, and one count of removing property as a company winds up, between June and December 2020.

He is also charged with failing to comply with the provisions of a piece of legislation regarding the keeping of accounting records between October 2020 and August 2023 and failing to deliver up company books to a liquidator between 2020 and 2023.

Deputy district judge Natalie Wortley told Mr Allon that the allegations were too serious to be dealt with at the magistrates’ court and that the case would be sent to the Crown Court.

Mr Allon, of Arkendale Road, Staveley, will next appear for a plea-and-trial preparation hearing at York Crown Court on June 10. He was granted bail until then.

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Residents react to revised Maltkiln plans

Residents have been urged to give their views on revised plans for a new town the size of Thirsk seven miles from Knaresborough.

Yorkshire developers Caddick Group, which applied for outline planning permission in 2019, plans to build up to 4,000 homes near Kirk Hammerton, Cattal and Green Hammerton.

Caddick held a public consultation at Kirk Hammerton Village Hall on Tuesday (May 7) to share its updated plans for the settlement known as Maltkiln.

The town will include affordable and eco-friendly houses, as well as two primary schools, a mixed-use local centre, a sports hub and green spaces.

The changes announced included moving the site boundary to the north east and east to provide access into the first phase of development from the A59.

The two roundabouts proposed to access the site have also been moved, with one on the east and one on the west of the site along the A59.

The amended locations of the two roundabouts. Pic: Maltkiln Consultation

There is also set to be an additional new road bridge over the railway line on the eastern edge of the site.

The firm added plans for the mixed-use local centre had extended east of Station Road and north of the railway station. In addition, the proposed location of the northern primary school has been amended.

Caddick also said delivery of the development will now start with a first phase in the north east and continue in a clockwise direction.

The revised plans and key. Pic: Stantec / Maltkiln Consultation

The scheme has faced backlash from some nearby residents since its inception and progress remains uncertain since the council threatened to compulsory purchase land for the new town.

Rural feel

The Stray Ferret attended the consultation event to speak to residents and Caddick representatives.

Kirk Hammerton resident James Browne (pictured above) told us people needed to have a “balanced approached” to the proposal.

He said:

“I share others’ concerns. I hope the amount of tension around the development means that things will be done in the right manner and not disrupt the rural feel around here.”

Mr Brown told the Stray Ferret he hopes, if the development goes ahead, there would be “benefits to amenities, cyclists, roads, shops and education” in what is a relatively “isolated area”.

He added:

“I’m hoping if it does go ahead, it would be delivered sympathetically, but once plans are approved, would it just become a case of delivering sheer volume?”

People at the consultation event.

Sue Husband, another nearby resident, questioned whether the potential number of houses was “really necessary”.

She told the Stray Ferret:

“We do need some housing – I get that. My preference is that it’s ecological housing that supports climate change, rather than just luxury homes. We also need a wider community. But do we actually need this number of houses?

“If the plans were to create a small village and there was the potential to expand it gradually, I think people would be able to accept it more. But because it’s this big, sudden expansion people can’t necessarily adjust to it.”

Ms Husband also said she would “consider moving house” if the plans were approved. She added:

“I moved here because it’s so peaceful and quiet.”

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Infrastructure fears

The Stray Ferret also contacted Green Party councillor for Ouseburn, Arnold Warneken, about the new plans.

He said the “biggest concerns from residents in his inbox” included the infrastructure of the existing roads and drainage systems.

Cllr Warneken said:

“People feel there could, in reality, be thousands of additional cars around the settlement and they are concerned about the existing road networks.

“They’re also worried about existing sewage systems. Residents have contacted me to say they don’t feel the sewage system can cope as it is, let alone with new houses being built.”

Cllr Warneken said residents also expressed concerns about a GP practice not being included in phase one of the development process, particularly as Springbank Surgery in Green Hammerton is “already oversubscribed”.

Developer wants community to ‘shape masterplan’

The consultation comes after North Yorkshire Council submitted the Maltkiln development plan document to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities for independent examination.

People now have the opportunity to give feedback on Caddick’s revised plans.

Chris Procter, director at Caddick Group, said in a statement:

“We’re particularly keen for communities in the area to shape key areas of the masterplan, including the design of the local centre, as well as the upcoming residential design code.

“All the information for the consultation is available on the Maltkiln website and we would really like people to get involved and give us their views. All feedback will be analysed and considered as part of our application for the first stage of the project, which we are anticipating submitting later this year.”

You can give your view on the refreshed plans and leave feedback here until Friday, May 27.

Exclusive: Hackers demand ransom after breaching North Yorkshire Council computer system

International hackers have breached the trading standards computer system at North Yorkshire Council and demanded a ransom.

The Stray Ferret was tipped off by an anonymous source at the council who said the hackers had encrypted large amounts of data and were “demanding a ransom to decrypt it”.

The source added:

“Backups have also been encrypted so this is a big problem. This systems holds a lot of data and this breach could impact on a large number of crime investigations within the area.”

The Stray Ferret asked the council for further details about the breach, which is believed to have happened in March.

We asked how much data had been compromised and how it was able to happen, as well as what action the council was taking to resolve the situation, and the likely cost and timeframe.

The council issued a statement that included quotes from Mike Andrews, the National Trading Standards eCrime team’s national co-ordinator, and Madeline Hoskin, the council’s assistant director for technology.

The National Trading Standards eCrime team investigates fraud on behalf of local authorities.

The statement confirmed there had been “an incident”, which it said had been “contained” but did not clarify the extent of the breach.

Mr Andrews said in the statement:

“We are working with national agencies and other partners to investigate this incident.

“Fortunately, we became aware of the incident at a very early stage and swift action was taken.

“Protecting personal data remains our top priority and steps were taken to contain the potential impact.

“As the investigation is ongoing, it would not be appropriate for us to comment any further at this stage to avoid jeopardising any future legal proceedings.”

Ms Hoskin said in the statement:

“We take considerable precautions to prevent and detect cybercrime and take our responsibilities extremely seriously.

“We worked with an independent team of digital forensic specialists which helped ensure a swift recovery from the incident.

“No information related to the council’s customers outside of the data held by the National Trading Standards E-Crime Team has been affected.”

The council declined to comment further.

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North Yorkshire combined authority advertises for £125,000 chief executive

York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority is advertising for its first chief executive, who will be paid a salary of £124,656.

The organisation, which was launched in February and commands public funding of £540 million over 30 years, is currently led by James Farrar, interim head of paid service.

A notice on the authority’s website advertising the role closes on May 12, with interviews due to take place on June 3.

The role requires the candidate to have “strong commercial skills, business acumen and experience of operating in a business development role”.

The chief executive will also be required to work closely with the newly elected Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, David Skaith, and council leaders from North Yorkshire Council and City of York Council.

Meanwhile, the combined authority is also advertising for a director of resources, who would be paid a salary of up to £105,000.

David Skaith signing the Declaration of Acceptance of Office with James Farrar, Director of Economy & Interim Head of Paid Service, and Rachel Antonelli, Head of Legal & Interim Deputy Monitoring Officer at York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.

David Skaith signing the declaration of acceptance of office with James Farrar, director of economy and interim head of paid service, and Rachel Antonelli, head of legal and interim deputy monitoring officer at York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.

The move comes as David Skaith was sworn in as the new mayor yesterday.

Mr Skaith also signed the declaration of acceptance of office, which formally recognises the mayor’s responsibilities for the police and crime commissioner role.

He said:

“I’m honoured to take on the role of mayor for York and North Yorkshire. I’m looking to bring together York and North Yorkshire as one.

“This new role of mayor, and the combined authority, presents a great deal of opportunities to the region. We can attract new investment, and tackle keys areas such as affordable housing and transport. This is just the start, and I’m looking forward to working with partners, businesses, and communities.”

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Boroughbridge Primary School to get two new classrooms

Two new classrooms are to be built at Boroughbridge Primary School and its existing Horsa hut will be demolished.

North Yorkshire Council has awarded a £805,870 contract to Pontefract firm R H Fullwood Ltd to carry out the work.

This project will be funded by section 106 funding paid by developers to the council to compensate for the impact of new homes on local infrastructure.

The classrooms are expected to be ready for the new academic year, September 2024.

Last year 2023 the headteacher, governors and council met to discuss plans to expand the school, which

This led to talks about the current building, which is situated alongside the KS1 playground and separate to the main school building, being replaced.

Emma Ryan, headteacher of Boroughbridge primary school said:

“This is an extremely exciting time to be at Boroughbridge Primary School.

“The school has grown considerably over the last few years, mainly due to the new housing developments, and I am positive that pupil numbers will continue to increase. It is great that the local authority have recognised the need for extra classrooms as this will allow us to accommodate our pupils.”

Boroughbridge primary school

A school spokesperson added:

“It was clear that the new housing estates and general growth of Boroughbridge was going to impact the school with a rise in pupil numbers. Over the last year, this has been very evident due to all our new families and pupils.

“This Horsa hut has been part of our school for a long time but is now not fit for current educational needs and for the quality of teaching that we uphold. As a result, it will need to be demolished.”

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Zoe Metcalfe departs as crime commissioner

Zoe Metcalfe’s term as North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner ended at midnight last night after the role was transferred to the new Mayor of York and North Yorkshire.

Labour’s David Skaith, who won the inaugural mayoral election on Friday, will now take on responsibilities for policing and crime.

Ms Metcalfe, a Conservative who held the post since November 2021, was the final directly elected commissioner for the county.

She was elected after the departure of Philip Allott, who succeeded fellow Tory Julia Mulligan — the county’s first commissioner from 2012 to 2021.

David Skaith, newly elected Mayor of York and North Yorkshire.

David Skaith, newly elected Mayor of York and North Yorkshire who will take on the commissioner’s responsibilities.

Ms Metcalfe pledged to tackle issues such as violence against women and girls.

She also oversaw the controversial introduction of the risk and resource model for the fire service, which included plans to cut the number of overnight fire engines based in Harrogate from two to one.

The move was met with criticism from the North Yorkshire Fire Brigades Union, which warned that such a decision would lead to a “second-rate emergency response service that will put lives at risk”.

The Stray Ferret requested an interview with Ms Metcalfe to reflect on her tenure as commissioner, but a spokesperson for her office said she was unavailable due to “the volume of her commitments in her final few days”.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Ms Metcalfe said it had been an “absolute privilege and pleasure” to represent York and North Yorkshire.

As I step down from my role as Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner at midnight, it has been an absolute privilege and pleasure to represent the communities of York & North Yorkshire. Congratulations to @DSkaith and best wishes for your term in office.

— Zoë Metcalfe (@zoe_metcalfe1) May 6, 2024

The commissioner’s office has now been rebranded the York and North Yorkshire Office for Policing, Fire, Crime and Commissioning after the mayoral election.

Mr Skaith is expected to make a decision on whether to appoint a deputy mayor to take on policing and crime powers.

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