North Yorkshire’s special needs black hole could soar to £100m

North Yorkshire Council has revealed it is facing an annual black hole of up to £100m over its spending on special educational needs and disability (SEND) children in as little as four years due to spiralling demand for support services.

While the council says the projected financial pressure was triggered by legislation in 2014, it says a simultaneous increase in complex needs has seen SEND children each cost up to £1.5m a year to support.

In addition, sources say while covid will have had an impact, it is difficult to pinpoint why North Yorkshire is seeing such an explosion in numbers of SEND children, for which the council already has a £13m annual deficit.

Some point to the Children and Families Act 2014, which allows young people and their families to request local authorities to carry out an assessment and provide support, including allocated funding, for each child or young person who applies.

While declining to go on the record, some politicians at County Hall have suggested the relatively large proportion of middle class parents in the county is partly behind the council’s plight, with a common view that getting a SEND statement for a child brings financial and other benefits.

North Yorkshire is in the bottom quartile of funding per head of population for SEND children nationally, partly because the government funding formula is weighted towards areas of high deprivation. 

However, some politicians believe areas with more middle class people able to articulate arguments for their children end up with significant SEND demand.

Parents are believed to have had an almost perfect success rate in getting children, some of whom have “mild” or “borderline” issues, classed as having special needs after appealing the council’s decisions.

One source stated: 

“It is getting to the stage where children with mild difficulties are taking funds away from children who actually need it. It is just unsustainable.”

The financial alert, issued at a full meeting of the authority this week, came days after the authority’s chief finance officer gave evidence to the House of Commons Levelling Up, Housing and Communities select committee the authority was facing “a perfect storm” financially.

Gary Fielding, the authority’s corporate director resources, told the committee even well-run councils were now facing “existential challenges”.

He added the council was looking at using savings of between £30m and £70k generated by merging the county’s eight district, borough and county councils into a unitary authority, “cashing in the dividend that has been delivered by unitarisation” to balance the books.

Mr Fielding said: 

“There is a whole host of issues, which I would describe as a perfect storm, with SEND, adult social care and children’s placements.

“What we’ve got in part is a disrupted market, a dysfunctional market in most areas, we have supply and demand out of kilter, we’ve got not enough money chasing not enough places, so prices go up.

“We are seeing incredible increases in levels of complexity. There is demand increases, but what I am observing more is the complexity of need that’s presenting, and therefore the cost of that.”

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Mr Fielding said while the funding for many SEND services came from a ring fenced Department for Education grant, the increase in demand was draining the council’s general budget, for example with the SEND home to school transport cost soaring from £5m annually to £21m in just five years.

He added the council would be reviewing policy areas as a contingency if the unitarisation savings plan did not work.

The full council meeting had heard residents were questioning when the authority would “reap the benefits of the millions saved by becoming a unitary authority”, a leading argument behind the controversial reorganisation of local government in North Yorkshire.

After outlining “benefits” such as devolution and savings on senior officers’ salaries the authority’s executive member for finance, Cllr Gareth Dadd, said the savings would “help mitigate some of those challenges that we are facing”.

He said: 

“We are in a far better position, I would contend, than most other local authorities up and down the country.

“We have a plan that’s yet to be fully aired and scrutinised by members and that will become apparent in the budget-setting process. It will be two or three years before we reach the top of that hill and can look down with some ease. We have a plan – it will be extremely difficult.”

After the meeting Cllr Dadd added: 

“The incoming government will either have to take the [SEND] criteria up and give children different guidance or find a load of money. This has the potential to bankrupt prudent, decent local authorities. It is the biggest hurricane we can see on its way.”

Stray Views: ‘Shame’ on councillors who voted for allowance rise

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

How dare they give themselves a pay rise at this time. They already all got a rise when everything went to Northallerton because they were going to have more responsibility with the wider district to cover. 

Then instead of the economies of scale and savings we were promised we find they have given us £25 million debt. Shame on them.

Diane Stokes, Starbeck

Briggate would be fixed quicker in Northallerton

I have just read John Plummer’s article on the lack of progress with the roadworks on Briggate, Knaresborough

I believe that Ms Burnham is being somewhat economical with the truth when she states that the work will take until Christmas to complete but only begin in a few weeks time. There are only 25 working days until Christmas.

I also believe that had this happened in Northallerton – it would have been fixed in September. It is not equitable to leave local council tax payers ‘simply’ having to put up with the daily misery of the situation which currently has no committed end in sight

Having examined the collapse closely myself, the rubble could easily be removed – thus freeing up the road again. Despite significant rainfall and gale force winds since September it has shown no further signs of collapse. I note also that the houses above have not been evacuated nor the footpath itself closed to pedestrians. The situation could then be monitored regularly until such time as the work could be carried out.

And bad weather can’t be blamed for lack of progress either since it hasn’t prevented significant , planned gas works from being carried out on Aspin Lane etc

Ultimately the situation appears to boil down to the council’s apathy or disinterest in sorting this problem out for local taxpayers.

Alice Woolley, Knaresborough

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Thanks to Connexions Buses

Connexions Buses have ended their X1A and B services Harrogate to Knaresbrough estates.

I would like to thank them for their reliable service over the past years and the friendly drivers who always would wait for us older passengers to be seated and wish them all the best for their future employment.

Paul Smith, Knaresborough

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

Explained: the North Yorkshire councillors’ pay rise

North Yorkshire councillors voted to increase their allowances by 10% this week .

The vote, which was held at a full council meeting in Northallerton, proved contentious with some members of the council claiming it was immoral due to the ongoing cost of living crisis.

Others argued that the increase amounted to a “real terms pay cut”.

It represented an ongoing debate over how elected councillors should be paid for their service.

Here is what you need to know about how North Yorkshire councillors are paid

How are councillors paid?

Councillors on North Yorkshire Council are not paid a salary. They are paid an allowance, which each elected member can decide whether to accept all or part of.

Some offer to donate parts of their allowance to charity.

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The purpose of the allowance is to cover expenses which come with the commitments of a councillor, such as time and travel to meetings for council business on behalf of their constituents.

They are not paid a salary like council officers and directors.

How much is the allowance?

Prior to this week’s vote, all 90 councillors were offered a basic allowance of £15,550.

If a councillor has a special responsibility, such as the leader of the council or a cabinet member, then they are paid an additional allowance.

For example, the leader of North Yorkshire Council has a special responsibility allowance of £39,654 and the chair of the council receives an additional £12,142.

Who decides how much the allowance is?

An independent renumeration panel meets every year to review councillors’ allowances.

The panel, which consists of three members, publicises its recommendations.

Those recommendations are then discussed by the council’s executive before going before a full council meeting to be voted on.

Why did councillors vote to increase their allowances?

On Thursday, a full council meeting of North Yorkshire Council voted to increase allowances by 10%.

It means the councillors’ annual basic allowance will be increased from £15,500 to £17,000.

There will be a two per cent increase in the special responsibility allowances paid, with the exception of sessional payments to chairs of the licensing sub-committees.

Panel chair Keith Trotter cited the increased workload caused by the creation of North Yorkshire Council, inflation and the cost of living as reasons for the recommendation.

However, Liberal Democrats voted against the recommendation on the grounds that there was a cost of living crisis and it would not be right to support the increase.

Other councillors, such as Cllr Andy Brown argued that it represented a “real terms pay cut” as it prevented working people from being able to become councillors.

Conservative Cllr Carl Les, leader of the council, said the independent panel had considered the current cost of living when making the decision to recommend the rise.

Tockwith Show directors vote to cancel 2024 event

The organisers of Tockwith Show have voted to cancel next year’s event.

The agricultural show, which began in 1945, showcases a range of livestock and horticulture, but visitors will have to wait until at least 2025 to go again.

It follows the directors’ recent proposal to take a one-year break after five committee members stepped down from their roles.

The current committee chair, Georgina Watson, who is one of those stepping down, said:

“Although it’s obviously disappointing to have to cancel the 2024 show, this does give us a really valuable opportunity to take a look at every aspect of the show and, in particular, to find ways of spreading the workload.”

The decision was unanimously approved at the committee’s annual general meeting on Wednesday.

The remaining committee hopes the hiatus will offer enough time to recruit new volunteers, as well as review the current content and structure of the show to decide what may need to change.

Ms Watson added:

“Clearly the key to ensuring the show’s future is to recruit more people; that way we can make sure that small groups, rather than individuals, share what at times can be hard work.

“We want to ensure that being involved in the show remains both exciting and enjoyable for everyone.”

 One of the directors, Mike Best, said several new people have already come forward to offer their help.

He added:

“The committee has decided to make the focus of 2024 a number of smaller events to help promote the show and raise awareness within the community.”

Ms Watson also said the committee wants to ensure new recruits “can bring in fresh ideas”, adding:

“The show has been incredibly successful in the past, but that doesn’t mean there’s not room to adapt and improve what we are offering.

“The year’s break means we can throw everything up in the air and see what emerges.

“I think this is an exciting opportunity and I’m confident that Tockwith Show will be back better than ever in 2025.”

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North Yorkshire councillors reject call to ban trail hunts on council land

Councillors in North Yorkshire have rejected calls to ban trail hunting on North Yorkshire Council owned land.

This week, Labour councillor Rich Maw, who represents Weaponness and Ramshill, and Green councillor Arnold Warneken, who represents Ouseburn, tabled a motion at a full council meeting to prohibit the practice.

Trail hunting involves laying an animal scent, usually urine, for hounds to track and is followed by a group on foot or horseback.

The practice is legal, but organisations such as animal welfare charity the RSPCA and the League Against Cruel Sports have called for it to be banned.

Cllr Maw and Warneken said in their motion the hunts had been used as a “loophole to carry on hunting foxes and other animals”.

At a meeting on Thursday, Cllr Warneken said:

“The issue is that we’re trying to ask this council to stop an illegal activity taking place on their land and any measures that we can do to achieve that.

“I think that’s ethically and morally responsible, if we can do it within the law.”

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Conservative and Independents Cllr Andrew Williams, of Ripon Minister and Moorside, said he had no desire to stop people undertaking a “legal pursuit” and called for the motion to be rejected.

The motion was rejected by 47 votes to 26.

Ahead of the vote, the Countryside Alliance, which previously described the call as a “waste of time”, contacted councillors urging them to vote it down.

Following the meeting, Polly Portwin, director at the Countryside Alliance, said:

“While we are pleased that North Yorkshire Council has finally kicked this divisive motion out, we are incredibly disappointed that so much vital council time and resources has been wasted on debating a lawful activity.

“To be frank, Cllr Maw should apologise for demonising significant swathes of North Yorkshire’s rural community. In the future he should use his time as an elected member to pursue an agenda which benefits the people living in the Weaponness & Ramshill division. The trail hunting community across Yorkshire provides invaluable benefits to the countryside, both socially and economically.”

Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal 2023: ‘There’s no light at the end of the tunnel’

This year’s Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal is to raise £30,000 for a much-needed minibus for Dementia Forward in the Harrogate district. 

The appeal is kindly sponsored by Vida Healthcare.

Please give generously to support local people and their families living with dementia. Let’s not forget who needs our help this Christmas.

Today, Flora spoke to someone on the helpline team.

Hundreds of families in the Harrogate district are losing their loved ones to dementia every day and now, more than ever, specialist support services are needed.

Today, Keith Townson tells us about swapping his working life in Qatar for a role on the Dementia Forward helpline.

“I was working as a mechanical engineer in Qatar.

“The maximum working age there is 60, so when I reached that, we moved back to Burton Leonard and I took on the role as chairman of the parish council.”

It was then that Keith spotted George Armitage House, Dementia Forward’s flagship hub in the village, and realised he wanted to give something back in his retirement.

He was offered a position as a volunteer bus driver in 2016 and spent five happy years transporting people across the county.

The minibus allows people to access vital care that they may not otherwise be able to access, and helps to combat loneliness those living with dementia may feel. It is also used to take people on day trips out and to social events, like going to the beach, to art galleries or even just to a café for a cup of tea.

Keith added:

“I loved driving the bus so much – it’s so lovely when clients are singing.

“What better thing can you do than help people?”

Two years ago, Keith was offered a position on the helpline.

“I actually originally suggested my son apply for the role – since he was out of work at the time – but after he was offered a job, Dementia Forward offered it to me.”

 

The helpline is the first point of contact for those with dementia-related enquiries.

The advisers help anyone in need — including family members, clients and medical practitioners — whether it’s providing emotional guidance to people losing their loved ones, or support on how to find dementia care.

It covers the whole of North Yorkshire and refers people to dementia experts in their local area or district.

Keith said:

“No two days are the same. You can receive some pretty horrible calls relating to very sad situations.

“But then there are some really lovely ones too — it’s a real mixture of emotions.

“The most common call is from a family member or loved one that has just received the devastating diagnosis and is looking for the next step.

“That’s what we’re here to give them.”

Dementia Forward’s flagship hub, George Armitage House

The helpline is one of many amazing services on offer for those living with this life changing disease, as well as their loved ones. Keith added:

“The helpline is a reason to get out of bed in the morning and come to work – it’s the best feeling I’ve had from a job.

“It can be heart-breaking though. No two people with dementia are the same, and I’ve learnt there’s no real light at the end of the tunnel…that it doesn’t get better.”

Dementia Forward helps hundreds of families across the Harrogate district every day. The charity eases the pain as much as it can – but it can only do so with the help of charitable donations.

Every donation to our campaign will go directly to Dementia Forward, helping us hit our £30,000 target to buy the charity a new minibus and bettering the lives of those living with dementia and the people around them.

Dementia Forward’s current bus is old and tired and urgently needs to be replaced. The charity would seriously struggle to afford a new one, which is why they need your help to keep this vital service going. Without it, many people living with dementia wouldn’t be able to access the help and support they need.

Click here to donate whatever you can – you never know when you, your family or your friend may be in need of Dementia Forward’s help too.

Thank you.

The NHS found 1 in 11 people over the age of 65 are living with dementia in the UK. For those who need urgent help or have a dementia-related enquiry, call 0330 057 8592 to speak to a helpline adviser.

Former North Yorkshire PCSO admits computer misuse offences

A former North Yorkshire police community support officer has pleaded guilty to unauthorised accessing of information on police computer systems.

Daisey Pennock, who was a PCSO at Whitby, appeared before York Magistrates Court to face the offences on Thursday (November 16).

Pennock, 26, admitted seven charges under the Computer Misuse Act 1990. 

The offences took place between April and November 2021.

She was charged following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

Pennock is due to be sentenced on December 11.

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Tinsel tractor run coming to Ripon and Boroughbridge

A tinsel tractor run is to be held around Ripon and Boroughbridge on December 2.

Up to 30 festively-decorated tractors will depart from garden centre F Tate & Sons on Studley Road, near Ripon, at about 2.30pm.

The brightly lit vehicles will then follow a 21-mile route that passes through Bishop Monkton, Roecliffe, Boroughbridge and Skelton-on-Ure before finishing in Ripon Market Place at about 5.30pm.

Simon Dickinson, who organises the Nidderdale Charity Tractor Run each year, decided to stage the event to raise money for Harrogate-based Yorkshire Cancer Research.

Mr Dickinson, a window cleaner who grew up in Littlethorpe and now lives in Northallerton, said he wanted to raise money to help people affected by cancer and had been inspired by tinsel tractor runs held overseas.

He added he had been amazed by the response since the event was announced last night. Fifteen tractor drivers have already signed up.

Mr Dickinson, who is a member of West Yorkshire Vintage Tractor & Engine Club, added:

“I want to get it off the ground this year and then do it year after year.”

Tractor drivers pay £15 to enter and collections will be held at key points along the route.

The Nidderdale tractor run, which Mr Dickinson founded last year, attracted 55 vehicles and raised almost £2,000 this year. Next year’s event will be on June 30.

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Stray Ferret Business Awards: Does your sustainable business practises deserve an award?

The Stray Ferret Business Awards 2024 are for businesses across all sectors in the Harrogate district.

Over the next few weeks we will reveal what our judging panel is looking for when it comes to each of the 10 categories.

Next up is the Sustainable Business Award, which is sponsored by the York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub.

This award recognises those businesses that have put sustainability at the top of their agenda.

These businesses are helping drive change and leading the way by reducing their impact on the environment no matter the size of the business. Implementing these practises for small businesses can be a bigger challenge than for larger businesses but every effort makes a difference.

Companies looking to enter for the Sustainable Business Award need to provide details of the changes the business has made, the impact the changes have had on the business and wide community with any details of any planned changes.

By giving vital recognition to those who have sustainability at the heart of their business, we hope others will follow their example.

Does your business deserve to win the Sustainable Business Award at the Stray Ferret Business Awards? Entries close on January 19. It’s simple and quick, so enter today!

Click here or the banner below to enter for the Stray Ferret Business Awards, sponsored by Prosperis.

 

Commissioner complains over Tory mayoral candidate ‘inappropriate language’ claim

Police commissioner Zoe Metcalfe lodged a formal complaint over Tory mayoral candidate Keane Duncan after she claimed he used “inappropriate language” to influence a decision on the recruitment of a chief constable.

Ms Metcalfe, who is also a Conservative, claimed Mr Duncan tried to “influence or seek to control” the decision over whether to start the appointment process.

Mr Duncan denied using inappropriate language and said a formal investigation had found no cause for action.

According to a freedom of information request published on the commissioner’s website, the pair had a phone conversation on September 24 on the subject.

The conversation took place ahead of a decision regarding the recruitment process for a chief constable at North Yorkshire Police after the incumbent, Lisa Winward, announced she will retire on March 31.

Ms Metcalfe is expected appoint a permanent successor to the role despite the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner’s office being abolished when a Mayor for York and North Yorkshire is elected on May 2, 2024.

It means the new mayor will inherit a chief constable whose appointment was overseen by Ms Metcalfe.

Ms Metcalfe claimed Mr Duncan had sought to influence the decision and used “inappropriate language”.

In a letter to Mr Duncan, which was disclosed under the freedom of information act, she said she intended to lodge a complaint to the Conservative Party following the conversation.

In a statement to the Stray Ferret, Ms Metcalfe said:

“I believed that it was wholly inappropriate for Mr Duncan to try to influence or seek to control my decision making about a matter of such public importance.

“I have also lodged a complaint about Mr Duncan’s use of inappropriate language and a manner that was oppressive towards me.

“I considered the Nolan Principles of Public Life before seeking professional advice and determining that it was right for me as PFCC to challenge and report, by official letter and party complaint, what I considered to be improper and unacceptable behaviour.

“The complaint process is a matter for the Conservative Party and I do not intend to comment further upon it.“

‘No wrongdoing’

In response, Mr Duncan said the pair had a frank phone call during which they disagreed on several points.

He denied using inappropriate language and said an investigation had now been completed into the matter.

Mr Duncan said:

“I respect the work overseen by the police, fire and crime commissioner for North Yorkshire.

“We did have a frank private phone call together, during which we disagreed on several points about the future of our emergency services. However, I completely deny using inappropriate language.

“A formal party investigation has taken place and no cause for action found. I am pleased the matter is now resolved.

“My number one priority is public safety and I will continue to offer my support to the commissioner for the rest of her term in office.”

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A Conservative Party spokesperson confirmed that an investigation was carried out and found no wrongdoing.

They said:

“A complaint was received and an investigation carried out. No evidence of wrongdoing was found and no disciplinary action was taken.”

Mr Duncan was selected as the Conservative candidate for York and North Yorkshire Mayor ahead of Ms Metcalfe at a meeting in July. He is also the North Yorkshire councillor responsible for transport.

Pateley Bridge businessman, Keith Tordoff, has also announced that he will stand as an independent candidate for mayor.

Meanwhile, the Green Party has selected North Yorkshire councillor, Kevin Foster, to run for the position.

The Liberal Democrats and Labour have yet to declare candidates.