A 1.99% tax rise has been backed by Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet after officials warned some of the authority’s key income streams won’t return to pre-pandemic levels until at least 2023.

Paul Foster, head of finance at the council, told a meeting last night that the rise equates to an extra £5 per household per year and was needed as the authority is still feeling the effects of covid and decades of government funding cuts.

If the proposed increase gets final approval in February, contributions to the borough council for the average Band D property will rise to £255.92.

Mr Foster said last night: 

“Given the impacts of the pandemic, we are provisionally forecasting a budgeted reduction in income of £150,000 in 2022/23.

“And income is not forecast to reach pre-pandemic levels until 2023/24 in the areas of commercial property, planning fees and Harrogate Convention Centre lettings.”

Mr Foster also said government grant allocations had been reduced by £8.2m since 2010 and that the council would have to use reserves cash to fund some major projects.

These include plans to accelerate a redevelopment of Harrogate Convention Centre, as well as carbon reduction works at the venue and other council-owned buildings.

Mr Foster said: 

“Overall, in order to produce a balanced budget, a net transfer from the budget transition fund of £142,000 is required.

“And finally, a thorough review of reserves has identified that just short of £4.5m can be repurposed, with a recommendation that £2.8m is set aside to fund the acceleration of works at the convention centre, and just short of £1.7m is set aside to support our carbon reduction strategy.”

The tax rise has been proposed as part of the council’s final ever budget before it is abolished and replaced with a new North Yorkshire-wide authority which will take over control of all services from April 2023.

• Harrogate council proposes 1.99% council tax rise in final ever budget
• Convention centre forecasts £510,000 profit ahead of decision on major redevelopment

This will mark the biggest changes to local government in the area for almost 50 years, with elections to the new council set to take place in May 2022.

Currently, the borough council makes up just under 13% of council tax bills, while North Yorkshire County Council makes up 70% and police and fire services the remainder.

Speaking at last night’s meeting, Cllr Graham Swift, deputy leader and cabinet member for resources, enterprise and economic development at the council, said the authority’s council tax contributions represented “incredible value” and would help keep key services and projects running.

He said: 

“For £255 we not only empty the bins and provide local cleaning services, but also look after parks, gardens, leisure facilities, and health and homeless charity programmes.

“On top of that, we are still able to invest in meaningful activities that improve the district and lives of residents.”

A proposal to build 256 homes in Boroughbridge looks set to be given the go-ahead.

The proposal by Barratt and David Wilson Homes is due to go before a Harrogate Borough Council planning committee on January 6.

Council officers have recommended that the proposal, which was previously refused and criticised for being “crammed”, is approved.

Officials said in a report that the fresh application has been submitted after negotiations with the council over the scale of the scheme.

The houses are part of the first phase of a wider 450-home development at Stump Cross.

Read more:

• ‘Crammed’ housing plans for Boroughbridge rejected
• ‘Lancashire sink estate’ plans resubmitted in Boroughbridge

The developers’ previous application for 260 homes was thrown out by councillors in June – which it has since taken to the government’s Planning Inspectorate to appeal.

One councillor, Cllr Nigel Simms, a Conservative who represents Masham and Kirkby Malzeard, described it as “like a sink development from Lancashire, not something that we should be having in North Yorkshire”.

Cllr Simms later apologised for any offence caused by his comment.

Barratt and David Wilson Homes already have outline approval to build on the site and are seeking final permission. 

In documents submitted to Harrogate Borough Council, the developers said:

“The development will respect Boroughbridge’s local character but also move the area towards a more sustainable future, through a significant increase in housing choice and mixed-use approach.”

A person was taken to hospital after a house caught fire in Little Ouseburn in the early hours of this morning.

Firefighters from Boroughbridge, Knaresborough and Acomb were called to the incident at 1.15am this morning.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service‘s incident log says everyone was out of the house by the time the emergency services arrived.

The log adds:

“One occupier left with paramedics, treated on scene for smoke inhalation and taken to hospital via road ambulance.

“Crews extinguished the fire using hose reels. Incident will be revisited by crews for checks this morning.”

Read more:

• Man denies firearm charge at Harrogate gastro pub
• Work starts on Great Ouseburn housing development
• Quick-thinking Little Ouseburn farmer averts field fire

People are being urged to act now in low lying areas near Boroughbridge, where flooding is expected today.

Although the Harrogate district is ending the year with unseasonably mild temperatures of 12 degrees centigrade expected at midnight, recent wet weather is having an impact.

The government’s flood warning website has flagged up land near the caravan park at Roecliffe, near Boroughbridge, as the local area in most imminent danger due to rising levels on the River Ure.

The warning says:

“River levels are rising on the River Ure due to rainfall. Flooding is forecast to affect locations near the River Ure, with low lying land expected to be most affected, particularly around Roecliffe Caravan Park.

“Flooding is affecting Roecliffe Caravan Park from 03:30 PM on 31/12/2021. The forecast is dry for throughout the afternoon and this evening, with some showers expected tomorrow. River levels will start to fall overnight.”

Read more:

• Boroughbridge streets flooded as storms hit Harrogate district
• Boroughbridge flood defences get £50,000 government boost
• Eyecatching sculpture at Fountains Abbey highlights flood fears

It is one of only two flood warnings currently in place in England. The other is in Carlisle.

People are being advised to move vehicles to higher ground, move family and pets to safety, move important items upstairs and turn off gas, electricity and water supplies.

A less severe flood alert has been issued for the Lower River Ure, near Ripon.

It said prolonged overnight rainfall caused rising river levels this morning.

“Levels are now peaking in the upper reaches of the catchment, but levels in the lower reaches of the catchment are still rising and will continue to do so through today, Friday 31st December.

“Some further showers are expected at times today, with weather conditions remaining unsettled for the coming days.”

Villagers near Boroughbridge were left angry and upset after vandals wrecked a nativity scene in their parish churchyard.

The nativity was put in place at St John’s Church in Minskip last week in time for a carol service, held outside because of covid concerns.

A central part of it was the nativity scene, which three or four of the church council had put up themselves.

The first indication that something had happened came early this morning.

The scene this morning.

Churchwarden Robert Beaumont said:

“The lovely couple, Jason and Helen, who live next door to the church, heard a noise at about 5am.

“They’re not sure if that was the vandals destroying the nativity scene but when they looked out of their windows at about 7am, all the wise men, the crib, everything, was scattered all around the churchyard.

“To have it just destroyed in this wanton and mindless manner was heart-breaking. And we’ve all been thinking, why would anybody want to do that?”

The church has reported the incident to police.

Read more:

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Villagers have managed to salvage the scene and rebuild it,

Mr Beaumont said.

“Although the vandals kicked parts of the scene all over the church or they didn’t break them in two.

“So with a lot of love and care, three members of our church committee worked from about half past eight this morning and put the whole scene back together again.

“And so, as one of our church council members said, love will always triumph over hate and good over evil. And that’s one of the messages of Christmas, so that was rather appropriate.

“But that doesn’t quite extinguish my anger as churchwarden that people should find it appropriate to desecrate our churchyard.”

It caps a difficult period for St John’s. A drunken motorist crashed into the church wall about six weeks ago. Insurance covered it but the church had to pay a £500 excess.

Covid-permitting, the village will hold an outdoor Christmas Day service with the nativity scene firmly in the foreground.

Harrogate Borough Council is planning to host a festival across the district in the new year to raise awareness of climate change.

The project, which has a working title of Winter Festival, looks set to take place in February 2022, according to a contract advertised by the authority.

The event is expected to involve street performance and art installations.

Stockport-based Maynineteen Ltd has been given the £50,000 contract to lead the project.

The events company has been tasked with coming up with ideas that “generate footfall and interest” in Harrogate, Ripon, Masham, Knaresborough, Pateley Bridge and Boroughbridge.

Read more:

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A spokesperson for the council said more details on the event would be revealed in the new year.

The spokesperson added:

“The Winter Festival is a working title for a project which is likely to change. 

“The project aims to raise awareness of the global climate change and environmental issues we are all facing. It will involve art installations and street performances, for example, and we’ll have some exciting news in the new year.”

Council officials said the contract has been paid for through the government’s Welcome Back Fund, which was designed to “promote a safe environment for local trade and tourism, particularly in high streets as their economies reopen”.

In April, the government granted the borough council £144,714 as part of the fund.

Tree planting has begun across the Harrogate district to mark the queen’s platinum jubilee next year.

About 100 elm, oak, hornbeam, sycamore and lime trees will be planted in the district as part of a nationwide initiative called The Queen’s Green Canopy, which invites people from across the United Kingdom to ‘plant a tree for the jubilee’.

The trees will be planted on Harrogate’s Wetherby Road, Jacob Smiths Park in Knaresborough, High Cleugh in Ripon, Pateley Bridge recreation ground and Boroughbridge recreation ground.

One tree from each location will be saved to plant on February 6, the queen’s accession day.

Harrogate Borough Council is organising the project and hopes the initiative will also help it achieve its carbon reduction initiatives. It is encouraging everyone, including individuals, community groups, businesses and landowners to also plant a tree.

Councillor Andy Paraskos, the council’s cabinet member for environment, waste reduction and recycling, said:

“The Queen’s Green Canopy is a wonderful opportunity for us to not only honour Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee but also help address the climate situation and deliver carbon reduction initiatives throughout the Harrogate district.”

The Queen’s Green Canopy will coincide with the borough council’s plans to plant thousands of trees in Bilton Beck Wood and Willow Wood, Harrogate and Upper Horse Shoe Fields, Knaresborough as part of the White Rose Forest partnership.

To get involved and plant a tree, people can pin it to the Queen’s Green Canopy map. It will then count towards Harrogate’s total.

Read more:

• Harrogate’s Valley Gardens to get monthly artisan markets
• Harrogate gallery organises charity Christmas tree for refugees

Update at 4.20pm

The A1(M) has now fully reopened following a serious crash between Ripon and Boroughbridge.

Highways England said there is four and a half miles of congestion following the closure.

Update: The #A1M in #NorthYorkshire has reopened fully following an earlier incident between J49 #Ripon and J48 #Boroughbridge. There is 4.5 miles of congestion following this closure so please allow time for these delays to clear. Safe journey. pic.twitter.com/ImHpv6HZrI

— National Highways: Yorkshire (@HighwaysYORKS) December 9, 2021

Update at 2.35pm

North Yorkshire Police has said the southbound A1(M) has finally reopened but traffic remains heavy.

https://twitter.com/NYorksPolice/status/1468950384135716865

Update at 12.40pm

Drivers have been turned around on the A1(M) southbound carriageway to get them off the motorway while the emergency services deal with a serious crash between Ripon and Boroughbridge.

North Yorkshire Police said it received reports of a single vehicle crash just before 9am. The road has not yet reopened.

It is unclear at this time the extent of any injuries suffered in the crash or when the closure will be lifted.

A Thirsk resident Charles Allen told the Stray Ferret that he had been sat in traffic for more than three hours. He added:

“I was planning to go to Oxford this morning on business to see a client. I left Thirsk around 9.15am so was stuck in traffic for hours.

“The A1(M) was absolute carnage. We were turned around, so we were driving north on the southbound carriage. The surrounding roads are also heavily congested.”

Police have closed the A1(M) southbound carriageway between Ripon and Boroughbridge due to a serious accident just before 9am today.

The air ambulance is on the scene along with all of the other emergency services this morning.

Currently there are delays of 30 minutes but they are expected to increase. Allow extra time for your journey or avoid the area if possible.

North Yorkshire Police has tweeted some details about the incident.

https://twitter.com/NYorksPolice/status/1468890383602098192

National Highways has also tweeted about the incident.

The #A1M is closed southbound between J49 (#Ripon) and J48 (#Boroughbridge) following a single vehicle collision. All emergency services including the air ambulance are working at the scene. Please allow extra time for your journey as delays of 30 minutes on the approach. pic.twitter.com/wwMg2Tz2ZB

— National Highways: Yorkshire (@HighwaysYORKS) December 9, 2021

This is a breaking news story which we will update as we get more information.

Police in the Harrogate district have increased patrols to help people get home safe over the festive period.

North Yorkshire Police has partnered with Harrogate Borough Council as part of an annual Get Home Safely from bars, nightclubs and restaurants campaign.

The key message of the campaign is for people to plan their journeys home in advance, look-out for one another, and look after their drinks and possessions.

Statistics show that domestic abuse incidents increase during bank holiday periods, and the campaign also aims to highlight emotional and practical support available through the charity IDAS.

Revellers will notice posters and digital boards with advice across the district. They will also notice more police on the streets.

Read more:

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Cllr Mike Chambers, Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet member for housing and safer communities, said:

“The festive period is often a time when people catch-up with friends and enjoy themselves in pubs and restaurants, and we want them to be able to do so safely.

“For many, this will be the first festive period since before the pandemic, that they have celebrated the festivities and we want them to remember it for all the right reasons by staying safe, and following the latest vovid guidance and advice.”

Chief Inspector Andy Colbourne, from North Yorkshire Police, said:

“The police and council continue to work in partnership to make the Harrogate district a safe place for all to enjoy the Christmas and New Year festivities.

“The support of licensed premises in the Get Home Safely annual campaign is particularly prevalent this year and we hope that everyone enjoys a safe night out.”

Lauren Doherty, from Road Safety Talks was left paralysed during a night out with friends. She said:

“A moment of distraction during a night out can change your life forever. Have fun, enjoy yourselves and get home safely.”

A Boroughbridge woman has vowed to do something “bigger and better” next year after organising an impromptu Christmas market in the town.

Laura Hutton thought some stalls would complement the town’s annual late night Christmas shopping by boosting trade.

So with help from Boroughbridge Hardware shop and little more than a fortnight’s planning she arranged for about 13 stalls to go up at the back of Horsefair on Wednesday.

The stalls proved popular and Ms Hutton, a local dog groomer who runs the Boroughbridge Chatter Facebook page, has now set her sights on organising more events in the town next year.

“The late night shopping mainly benefits the high street. I had the idea to tie-in the other shops with some market stalls and raise money for some homeless as well.

“I’m going to go bigger and better next year. I’m thinking of doing a summer fayre. As for Christmas next year – watch this space. I like a challenge.

“We did this in two-and-a-half weeks so it could have been better if we had more time. Still it was a really good night. Everyone came together and I’d like to thank everyone who helped.”

Read more:

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• Licence granted for new micropub in Boroughbridge

Ms Hutton said she spoke with Boroughbridge and District Chamber of Trade and Harrogate Borough Council in advance and made sure “everyone had the right certificates”.

One of the stalls generated £200 for a homelessness charity she works for.

A Harrogate Borough Council spokesperson said:

“We have been actively supporting all Christmas markets across the Harrogate district and have provided food, health and covid safety advice to ensure people can enjoy the festivities.”