Council set to loan £500,000 to Harrogate housing company

North Yorkshire Council looks set to loan £500,000 to a Harrogate housing company to cover “high expenditure costs”.

Bracewell Homes was set up by Harrogate Borough Council in 2019 but is now fully-owned by North Yorkshire Council following this year’s local government shake-up.

It was created to generate a profit for the council and to intervene in Harrogate’s pricey property market by delivering much-needed rental and shared ownership homes at affordable prices.

It is currently marketing two-bed properties at Hughlings Close, Green Hammerton, and two and three-bedroom homes at The Willows on Whinney Lane in Harrogate.

However, the company requires a “drawdown” in order to cover high expenditure going into this financial year.

Council officials said it would cover costs before “high income amounts” are received.

A report due before North Yorkshire Council’s executive on Tuesday will recommend approving the loan.

It says:

“A drawdown of £500,000 is now required urgently in order to pay final invoices on sites that Bracewell are already in contract for.

“The loan will cover the high expenditure costs forecast for the beginning of the year before the high income amounts start to be received.”

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The Stray Ferret asked North Yorkshire Council which sites the loan is designed to pay invoices for and when it expects the sum to be repaid, but did not receive a response by the time of publication.

The move comes as questions have been raised over the performance of Bracewell Homes.

Last year, the company paid no dividends despite the now-defunct borough council budgeting to receive £267,000.

At the time, Paul Foster, who was head of finance at the council, said the company was still “extremely profitable” and that it had continued to sell properties, although at a smaller percentage of shares than expected.

He said: 

“The company isn’t able to pay a dividend this year and the reason for that is a proportion of the shared home properties it has sold have been at shares of 25% and 30%.

“It would need to have sold shares of up to 50% for them to have enough cash to provide a dividend.

“In December, four or five properties were sold at a lower share than the company was forecasting and as a result there is less cash in the company.

“The company is not underperforming in particular. It is just not selling the larger shares which make it more cash rich.”

North Yorkshire Greens accuse Tories of putting politics before climate

Green Party councillors have accused the Conservatives of putting party politics before the climate crisis following the appointment of a climate champion for North Yorkshire last week.

At a full meeting of the council in Northallerton, Conservative councillor for Bilton and Nidd Gorge, Paul Haslam and Green Party councillor for Ouseburn, Arnold Warneken made pitches about why they were best suited for the role, which involves encouraging positive action on the climate.

This led independent councillor for Filey, Sam Cross, to put forward a motion that would see the job shared, adding “the more brains fighting climate change the better”.

Councillors voted on the job share but it was narrowly defeated by 43 votes to 42 after the Conservatives, which is the largest party on the council, rejected the proposal.

Cllr Paul Haslam

Cllr Haslam then defeated Cllr Warneken by 46 to 38 in a second vote to become climate champion.

Speaking this week, Cllr Warneken said he was disappointed the Conservatives denied the job share. He said:

“Like many Greens, I am used to working alongside others and establishing good working relationships even when we disagree occasionally.

“This was a real opportunity for the ruling group to show that they want to work with others in order to help make the new council stronger. They comprehensively failed that task.”

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Before the job share vote, Cllr Gareth Dadd, the Conservative member for Thirsk, sought clarification from the senior legal officer Barry Khan on whether the arrangement would go against the council’s constitution.

Mr Khan confirmed there was nothing in the constitution to prevent the two councillors from sharing the role and the allowance that comes with it.

Cllr Kevin Foster, leader of the Green group on North Yorkshire Council, added:

“We heard from the Conservatives on numerous occasions about working in collaboration, we in the green group have always been open to working with any parties and we still stand by that.

“The green group want a new politics and want to work in a way that will take all views in to consideration. Unfortunately the Conservatives just want more of the same. The public made it clear in the last election they think politics is broken and we want to fix it. It really is sad that the Conservative thirst for power is more important than a balanced view.”

Despite Mr Khan’s comments last week, Conservative council leader, Carl Les, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service he believed the constitution does not allow for two climate champions or for a job share agreement.

He added:

“It could be looked at in the future, but the opposition members were determined to push for a vote. Both candidates made speeches in favour of their suitability for the role, and I and my colleagues supported Cllr Haslam. That’s democracy in action.”

Teenagers sentenced for damaging Boroughbridge school roof

Two teenagers have been sentenced after causing £660 worth of damage to a Boroughbridge school.

The boys, aged 15 and another 14, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were referred to a youth offenders panel for 12 months after damaging tiles and window seals at Alborough and Boroughbridge County Primary School last year.

The teenagers were charged with intending to destroy or damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be destroyed or damaged.

The incident happened on October 13 last year at the school on York Road.

The pair were also charged with trespassing in the maintenance building at the school on October 10, 2022, and stealing £94 worth of beer and wine. Another boy, aged 16, was also charged with the same offence.

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The three were sentenced to a youth offender panel after pleading guilty.

All three boys were sentenced at Harrogate Magistrates Court on Friday (May 19).

School near Boroughbridge with just one pupil set for closure

Senior councillors could approve the closure of Skelton Newby Hall Church of England Primary School at a meeting next week.

A report has been prepared for North Yorkshire Council’s Conservative executive that recommends the school is closed in August due to falling pupil numbers.

In February this year, just one pupil remained on roll at the school although they are educated at the nearby Sharow Church of England Primary School, which is federated with Skelton Newby Hall.

The school has suffered from dwindling numbers for several years and at the beginning of September 2021 there were only 15 pupils left, plus two children in its nursery, which is well below the capacity of 52 pupils.

According to the report, there were no first preference applications made to the school for September 2023 and no pupils were allocated to the school on the recent National Offer Day for primary schools.

With pupil numbers determining the school budget, the report says there “appears to be no reasonable prospect of recovery” for the school.

Founded in 1856 by Lady Mary Vyner, the former owner of Newby Hall, the school has maintained a close relationship with the estate.

The report said across the area there was potential for 188 additional pupils to join five nearby schools until 2027/28 and there was also potential to provide additional capacity at Boroughbridge Community Primary School.

It noted governors have introduced various initiatives to attract more children to the school, including nursery provision in September 2019. The move attracted some children although numbers have been small.

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The closure would extend the catchment area of Kirby Hill Church of England Primary School to include the area currently served by Skelton Newby Hall.

However, concerns were raised in a public consultation as the catchment area of Kirby Hill is in the Boroughbridge High catchment area whereas Skelton Newby Hall is in the Ripon Grammar School and Outwood Academy catchment area.

Skelton cum Newby Parish Council has submitted an action plan to save the school, developed by a group including several headteachers, to restore classes and also retain its position in the catchment for Ripon but this plan has been rejected in the report.

The consultation included reasons from people on why they think the school failed.

Some said becoming part of a federation had sealed its demise and others said it had not been given enough care by the church and the council. 

According to one person, a ‘requires improvement’ judgement from Ofsted in 2019 that led to an “exodus” of pupils from the school.

The meeting will take place next Tuesday at 10.30am in Northallerton and it will be streamed on the council’s YouTube page.

North Yorkshire £176,000 robotics contract will not lead to job losses, says council

North Yorkshire Council managers have said a £176,000 robotics contract will not lead to job losses.

The authority has commissioned Reading-based company T-Impact Limited to come up with automative robotic processes to free up work for staff. 

The company has been contracted to carry out the work at a cost of £176,116.

This would include tasks such as changing an address, which would be done through automation rather than manually.

Council officials say the contract, which will run to May 2026, would be “better value for money”.

Madeline Hoskin, assistant director technology at North Yorkshire Council, said the move would also help the new council with its financial challenges.

She said:

“It is anticipated the use of this technology will bring about efficiencies to help counter the financial challenges we are facing, and it will be used for some of repetitive work to free up staff to do other more rewarding aspects of their job.

“The system also enables us to deliver services more efficiently, achieving better value for money.

“There are no projected job losses as a result of this project.”

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Harrogate knee surgeon’s breakthrough gains national interest

A digital report developed by a Harrogate surgeon is attracting national interest.

Patients undergoing knee surgery at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust are now able to benefit from a bespoke digital report, designed to improve understanding of their treatment and reduce any unnecessary outpatient appointments.

The creation of the report comes after nearly 25% of knee arthroscopy patients claimed they were not alert enough to discuss their surgery in the post-operation period.

Three quarters of those surveyed also claimed they were unable to recall post-operation instructions, such as weight bearing advice, meaning over half of the patients required further appointments to aid their understanding.

Dave Duffy, a consultant trauma and orthopaedic surgeon at HDFT, used the Arthrex Synergy Surgeon app to devise a video that walks patients through the procedure step-by-step, as well as an audio explanation to ensure full accessibility and understanding of the treatment.

The patient is also provided with an in-depth explanation of the next steps in their recovery, from bandaging wounds to appropriate exercises.

Since the introduction of Mr Duffy’s solution only 15% of patients that received the digital report felt they needed further appointments.

He said:

“The report puts patients’ minds at ease, provides answers to many of their questions, and in many cases removes the need for further appointments or written communications, allowing the clinician to spend additional time helping other patients.

Transforming outpatient services remains a key part of the NHS Long Term Plan, with Mr Duffy’s digital report playing an increasingly significant role in doing so.

He added:

“We have received lots of enquiries about the innovation from other partners in the NHS and we are keen to share our learning to scale up the innovation for the benefits of patients.”

Dr Jacqueline Andrews, medical director and executive lead for digital at HDFT said:

“Our trust’s strategy puts healthcare innovation at the heart of everything we do. Our purpose is to improve the health and wellbeing of our patients, children and communities, and digital transformation plays an important role in this.

“We want to invest in digital tools and services which makes it easier to provide the best quality, safest care and improves the experience for our patients. As a relatively small trust we have the ability to be agile when it comes to innovation, rapidly piloting new innovations and gaining feedback fast, for the benefits of healthcare innovation businesses and the NHS.”

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Care company opens regional office in Boroughbridge

A home care provider has opened a new regional office in Boroughbridge.

Vermuyden Care, which employs about 50 staff, has made the grade two listed Ornhams Hall its base for North Yorkshire.

The company, which provides domiciliary care, is recruiting local staff after moving into the area.

Gary Stapleton, co-founder and managing director of Vermuyden Care, said the company aimed to be the ‘M&S of care’ by employing local staff on high wages rather than relying on agency staff.

He said:

“Most care companies pay peanuts. Our starting salary is £15 an hour, which works out at £31,000 on a 40-hour week.”

The Boroughbridge office will handle home care services in Harrogate, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, Ripon, Thirsk and Easingwold area.

We have just about finished moving into Ornhams Hall nr #Boroughbridge in #NorthYorkshire. The portrait of Cornelius Vermuyden has arrived, just the Grandfather clock left. We have now recruited a fantastically talented individual to become our Registered Manager. (Details Soon). pic.twitter.com/ZywrqNECu8

— Vermuyden Care (@VermuydenCare) May 16, 2023

Emma Barnes has been appointed care director by the company, which was founded four years ago and is named after Cornelius Vermuyden, the Dutch engineer who drained the Fens.

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Over 1,000 Ukrainians make North Yorkshire home since start of war

Some 1,267 Ukrainians have made North Yorkshire their home since the start of the Russian invasion last year, according to figures.

Ukrainian families fleeing war have found places to live through the government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme with UK sponsors agreeing to house refugees for a minimum of six months.

North Yorkshire Council’s Conservative executive member for corporate services, Cllr David Chance, revealed how many Ukrainians have been supported through the scheme in an update to councillors this week.

Cllr Chance said that at the end of March 2023, the number of Ukrainians residing in North Yorkshire was 733.

In addition, 554 people who initially arrived in North Yorkshire have either moved on to live in independent accommodation, relocated to another council area or have returned to Ukraine, making up 1,287 arrivals since the scheme began in March 2022.

Over the winter, the council increased the ‘thank you’ payments for sponsors from £350 to £500 a month and this will be extended until October 2023 when it will again be reviewed.

To help new arrivals settle in, the council also has two dedicated employment advisors who work with Ukrainian residents to help them find training and apply for jobs.

Nationally, over 117,000 Ukrainians have moved to the UK through the resettlement scheme.

New housing in Harrogate

In March, it was confirmed that the council will spend £2m buying 19 homes for Ukrainians in the Harrogate district.

A report said: 

“Harrogate has a long and proud history of welcoming those fleeing violence and oppression in their home countries. In the past, this has included Belgium victims of the First World War and Jewish people escaping the Nazis.”

The money will come from the Local Authority Housing Fund, which is a £500m grant fund launched by the government so English councils can provide housing for those unable to find accommodation.

In recent months, there have been increasing reports of Ukrainians families struggling to find their own accommodation after leaving the sponsorship programme.

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District to take part in Yorkshire’s first Rewilding Festival

The Harrogate district is to take part in Yorkshire’s first Rewilding Festival to encourage debate about the value of allowing green spaces to grow naturally.

The festival has been organised by the Yorkshire Rewilding Network, a charity that aims to ‘connect, inspire and enable rewilding across Yorkshire’.

Beginning on June 13 there will be a variety of events across the summer which include a day of learning and connection for rewilders, well-being walks and workshops in some of Yorkshire’s most inspiring rewilding sites.  

In the Harrogate district there are activities in High Birstwith, Kirk Hammerton and Summerbridge.

The charity said the idea of a festival was born out of a belief that more is achieved with a message of hope and that bringing people together creates a ‘buzz’ that builds positive momentum.

Samantha Mennell, Yorkshire Rewilding Festival director, said:

“We’re so excited to be launching our first festival, and for us, it’s all about connection.

“Rewilding is always at it strongest when links are being made, whether that’s within landscapes or between people.

“This festival is only possible because of the  new partnerships we’ve made around the region and we’re excited about the amazing chance it gives us to reach out to more diverse audiences and get more people rewilding.”

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‘Rewilding’ The Stray 

In 2021, Harrogate Borough Council sparked a local debate about rewilding when it allowed parts of the Stray to grow naturally.

The council’s parks team left grass verges close to the roadside uncut until late autumn. Some residents welcomed the move, others thought it made the Stray look untidy.

The council then worked with local conservation groups to plant thousands of wildflower plugs between the Empress Roundabout and the Prince of Wales roundabout and down by the railway line.

We are currently in #NoMowMay – a movement started by the charity Plantlife  which calls on all garden owners and green space managers not to mow during May – ‘liberating your lawns and providing a space for nature’.

North Yorkshire Council, which now has responsibility for the Stray’s maintenance, has not gone as far as to stop mowing all public green spaces for a month.

Samatha Mennell said NYC could do more:

“We whole-heartedly agree that the North Yorkshire council should allow public areas to grow wilder as it has a myriad of benefits for biodiversity, carbon draw down and creates cleaner air and water
systems.
“In a setting like Harrogate it can be done in a way that is sensitive to the formal nature of the city centre by mowing borders and paths that complement the aesthetic of the town whilst still increasing the flowers, pollinators and birds that bring so much pleasure to its residents.”
For full information on the Rewilding Festival click here. 

Have you tried to rewild your garden? Or taken part in #NoMowMay? Send us your images and tell us how you’ve found the experience. contact@thestrayferret.co.uk

New tourism body ‘not in the interests’ of North Yorkshire, says Masham councillor

A councillor who owns Swinton Park Hotel near Masham has said a new tourism body for North Yorkshire is “not in the interests” of the hospitality sector.

Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, the Liberal Democrat councillor for Masham and Fountains, said an organisation should be created for the whole of Yorkshire instead.

Cllr Cunliffe-Lister was speaking at a full meeting of North Yorkshire Council on Wednesday.

The council is coordinating a new tourism strategy to boost the county’s £1.5 billion tourism industry, which is home to popular destinations like Castle Howard, Fountains Abbey and Bettys tea rooms.

A draft destination management plan is due to be finalised by the end of June before a bid is submitted to government to become a Local Visitor Economy Partnership, which would open the door for funding.

LVEPs are replacing destination management organisations, such as the former Harrogate Borough Council’s Destination Harrogate, following an independent review.

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Visit Hull and East Yorkshire was awarded LVEP status last month and Cllr Cunliffe-Lister said having more than one LVEP in Yorkshire risked wasting taxpayers’ money as LVEPs would compete against each other to attract tourists.

The councillor also referred to Welcome To Yorkshire, the tourism body for Yorkshire that entered administration in 2022 following a high-profile expenses scandal. It still exists but is no longer funded by public money and is now owned by private business Silicon Dales.

Cllr Cunliffe-Lister said:

“The Yorkshire brand is well-established and well-regarded nationally and internationally. It’s not in interests of the hospitality sector that this is fragmented.

“Should North Yorkshire achieve LVEP status it will not deliver value for money if it is then used to be pitched as a competitor destination against East Yorkshire or other regions in Yorkshire.

“What is being done to establish a generic county-wide brand that all regions will subscribe to and support and what steps are being taken to co-ordinate with other councils to achieve this?”

In response, Conservative executive member for open to business, Derek Bastiman, said “work is being carried out on that” but added it will take time as the council is still only in its second month of existence.

Cllr Bastiman added that workshops were taking place across North Yorkshire for people and councillors to add their input into the new tourism strategy. 

He added:

“It’s vitally important as much work is done on the coast as is done in the Craven area to Richmondshire or Selby.“

Speaking this month, Conservative council leader Carl Les called the development of the new tourism strategy a “major milestone“ for the authority. 

He said:

“We have such a breadth of tourism businesses and attractions which we can be rightly proud of, but we want to ensure that the sector can grow and flourish in the future and help support the region’s wider economy.“