‘Fair and just’ or political stunt? Tory and Lib Dems clash over Harrogate Spring Water moneyPolice arrest two Harrogate Lib Dem members over by-election leafletHarrogate and Knaresborough Lib Dems call for Yorkshire Water overhaul

Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrats have called for Yorkshire Water to be overhauled following the company’s sewage apology.

Yorkshire Water chief executive Nicola Shaw wrote to customers this week apologising and said she will refuse any bonus this year.

Ms Shaw admitted the company had not done enough to tackle storm overflows, which release raw sewage into rivers at times of high rainfall.

Tom Gordon, the Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Harrogate and Knaresborough, described the apology as “far too late” and “meaningless unless the firm is completely reformed”.

Mr Gordon called for water firms to become “public benefit companies,” putting environmental goals ahead of profits and making it compulsory for environmental experts to sit on their boards.

He said this would put an end to billions of pounds being wasted in dividends whilst sewage destroys waterways.

The local Lib Dems also called for an apology from local Conservative MPs for what it described as “voting down tougher action on water firms”.

Mr Gordon said:

“This announcement is too little too late after years of putting public health at risk and large-scale environmental damage, which has previously been arrogantly dismissed by the water industry.

“This apology means nothing unless the firm is completely reformed from top to bottom. Protecting the environment should be more important than making overseas investors rich. Sadly, Yorkshire Water still has their priorities all wrong.

“To add insult to injury, this Conservative Government and our local MP have spent recent years voting down tougher action on polluting water firms. They too owe people an apology.”

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Andrew Jones MP welcomes £180m pledge

Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, described Yorkshire Water’s pledge to spend £180 million between now and 2025 into reducing discharges from storm overflows as “a significant commitment”.

Mr Jones added:

“This is in addition to the £147m already committed in Yorkshire Water’s business plan.  I am pleased to see too that the commitment is to do even more in their five-year-plan between 2025 and 2030.  This will build on the decrease in the operation of storm overflows in Yorkshire last year.

“I note as well that dividends have not been paid to shareholders by Yorkshire Water since 2017.  In the current climate this is the right call for the company to have made.”

Mr Jones added that although “significant progress” needs to be made on river quality, progress had been made.

andrew jones-mp-and-frank maguire

Mr Jones (left) campaigning for better water quality at Knaresborough Lido.

He said:

“In 2009, 75 per cent of bathing water sites were classed as good or excellent. In 2022 the figure was over 92 per cent.  This has been achieved through improved monitoring, infrastructure and enforcement.

“We have seen too much of the he-said-she-said politicking about this issue.  Despite what some like to pretend, no politician has ever voted to discharge raw sewage into rivers.  What we need, and what we are getting, is action – local and national – not US-style attack politics.

“That is why I am working with the Nidd Action Group, Yorkshire Water, the Environment Agency, businesses and residents to compile a case to put to DEFRA to designate the River Nidd at the Lido in Knaresborough as a bathing water quality site.

“The survey work starts tomorrow and anyone who wants to join the team can contact my office or the Nidd Action Group through their website.”

 

Harrogate Lib Dem leader accuses council leader and MP of harassment over ‘threatening’ legal letters

The leader of Harrogate and Knaresborough’s Liberal Democrats has revealed she received legal “threats” from the council leader and local MP over alleged defamatory statements.

Councillor Pat Marsh said one letter from lawyers representing Conservative council leader Richard Cooper included demands for £5,000.

The letters, which Cllr Marsh waived in her hand at the meeting, relate to claims she made that Cllr Cooper was not “direct in condemning” the former North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Philip Allott who resigned last October over comments he made on the murder of Sarah Everard.

At a Harrogate Borough Council meeting that month, Cllr Cooper said Mr Allott’s previous comments that women needed to be “streetwise” were “very, very wrong.”

Councillor Cooper then repeated his remarks, saying there was “no credible defence” for what Mr Allott said. In an email sent to several media outlets after this, Cllr Marsh claimed “Cllr Cooper’s response did not lead to a direct condemnation”.

The legal letter to Cllr Marsh ended with a demand she pay £5,000 as “an interim payment” ahead of any legal proceedings:

An extract of the letter from a law firm representing Cllr Cooper.

Meanwhile, another letter from lawyers representing Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, demanded an apology from Cllr Marsh. This related to comments she made that a resident had become “caught up” in a “web” of problems because Cllr Cooper is employed by Mr Jones.

At a council meeting last night, Cllr Marsh said she believed the letters amounted to “harassment”. She said:

“I would like to make the chamber aware of two recent legal letters which I felt were threatening – I had one from Cllr Cooper and Andrew Jones MP.

“The legal letter from Cllr Cooper went on so far as to demand £5,000 from me personally.

“These letters made me feel extremely stressed – I considered them harassment and they forced me to seek legal advice to defend myself.”

In response, Cllr Cooper said last night:

“I’m afraid if you say something that is libellous and a lie, then you can expect legal activity.
“I’ve had it in my various roles going back as far as 1996.”

The Stray Ferret understands that neither letter led to any further action being taken against Cllr Marsh.

Calls for ‘positive’ campaign

The revelations came during last night’s meeting as Cllr Cooper made calls for a “positive and constructive” local election campaign ahead of elections to the new North Yorkshire Council on 5 May.

However, the meeting soon turned sour with the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats trading blows on several issues, from their records on attending meetings to claims made in their campaign material.

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Later in the meeting, Cllr Cooper, who is not standing in the elections, said:

“I’m not going to get into this tit for tat.

“I tried to do something nice to enable us all to say to the people who will be elected – there will be some Liberal Democrats, some Conservatives – good luck to you, fight for all of us.

“I wish that could have been reciprocated in a rather less hostile way.

“Nonetheless, the sentiments expressed stand and, I believe, irrespective of the comments made, they stand for all of us.”

Cllr Cooper added:

“We have worked together on the vast majority of things this council does well over the eight years that I’ve been leader.
“We agree on 99% of things but on the 1% of things we don’t agree about, we can make a hell of a lot of noise.”

Harrogate Lib Dems call for sewage tax to clean-up rivers

Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrats have called on the government to introduce a sewage tax to raise money to clean rivers.

The party said a 16% tax on water companies would help to create an emergency fund to improve rivers which had sewage dumped into them.

The Stray Ferret reported in November that Yorkshire Water released raw and untreated sewage into Harrogate district rivers and becks on 3,800 different occasions in 2020.

The worst affected local river is the River Nidd, prompting health concerns from wild swimmers that use the river in Knaresborough.

Water companies are legally allowed to release sewage through overflow pipes when the sewage system becomes too full, which can happen during increased rainfall.

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The Liberal Democrats highlighted that Yorkshire Water made an operating profit of £241 million last year.

Hannah Gostlow, the Liberal Democrat councillor for Scriven Park in Knaresborough, said:

“Rivers should be safe for sustaining wildlife, swimming and leisure. They are a precious source of drinking water for some. 

“So why are they filled with raw sewage and human waste, destroying them for decades to come?

“It is disgraceful to see a company which pollutes our local rivers with sewage make so much money last year. I think Yorkshire Water should pay to clean up the mess they make here. This Conservative government is once again too slow to act and doing nothing to protect our local rivers.”

The Stray Ferret contacted the Conservative leader of Harrogate Borough Council, Cllr Richard Cooper, to ask for his response to the proposal. He referred us to the council press office. We await a response.

Green Party stands down in Knaresborough by-election to support Lib Dems

Harrogate & District Green Party is to ask supporters in Knaresborough Scriven Park to vote for the Liberal Democrats in the upcoming by-election.

The by-election was called following the resignation of Conservative councillor Samantha Mearns, who said she was moving to Wales for family reasons.

She will resign from Harrogate Borough Council and Knaresborough Town Council.

The full list of candidates for the by-election, which will take place on July 29, was revealed last week and did not include a Green.

At the last election in 2018, Mearns defeated Liberal Democrat candidate Matt Walker by just 16 votes in the borough council vote.

A spokesperson for the Harrogate & District Green Party said it had met with Lib Dem candidates Hannah Gostlow and Andy Bell and it “supports their attitudes on crucial issues” and would therefore not put forward a candidate “for the greater good”.

The spokesperson said:

“The Green Party welcomes the opportunity to support the excellent Liberal Democrat candidates Hannah Gostlow and Andy Bell in the elections for Knaresborough Town Council. The Green Party has met with and support the candidates’ attitudes on crucial issues.

“The Green Party looks forward to reciprocal support from the Liberal Democrats in future elections as both parties recognise the fundamental problem of a first-past-the-post electoral system which negates the vote of the majority of people in this country. The Green Party will always seek out opportunities to work collaboratively for the greater good.”

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The move by the Greens could be a sign that local parties are more willing than in previous years to work together to defeat the Conservatives, whose councillors currently dominate Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council.

In the recent county council by-election in Bilton, parties to the left of the Conservatives won more collective votes but Cllr Matt Scott took the seat.

Harrogate Liberal Democrats county councillor David Goode told the Stray Ferret that he welcomed the Greens stepping aside.

He said:

“We appreciate what the Greens have done. There’s an understanding that opposition to the Tories splits the vote. We’ve agreed to work together on a local level but it will still be a close call.”

Sharon-Theresa Calvert will stand for the Labour Party in the by-election.

Chris Watt, a spokesman for the local Labour Party, described on Twitter the Greens and Liberal Democrat electoral pact as a “dodgy backroom deal”.

However, in a statement, Labour said it would be “happy to work with people of all parties”.

“Labour has a strong and positive vision for our area, exemplified by our candidate, Sharon Calvert, who is a well known community champion in Knaresborough.

“If that’s something that supporters and members of other parties want to get behind, we would welcome their backing.

“We are happy to work with people of all parties and none on issues of common concern for the good our local area and do so on many subjects, from our local environment to leisure facilities to education, among numerous others.”

The Conservatives have announced Jacqui Renton, a former landlady of The Union pub in Knaresborough, as its candidate. Harvey Alexander will stand for UKIP.

Trevor Chapman elected as Harrogate district mayor

Liberal Democrat councillor Trevor Chapman has tonight been virtually voted in as the new Harrogate district mayor.

He takes over from Conservative councillor Stuart Martin, who held the role since 2019 and served an extended term due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Speaking at a virtual annual meeting tonight, cllr Chapman said:

“Let’s hope we can return to some form of normality following events over the last year so that I can fulfil the role fully.

“I would like to express my sincere thanks to the outgoing mayor Stuart for not only carrying out his year of office but also standing in as caretaker during this unprecedented year.

“Stuart, you and April have carried out your duties in an exemplary manner for which I thank you very much.”

Cllr Chapman, who represents the Bilton Grange ward, was chosen to take on the role in March last year before the handover was cancelled because of the pandemic.

It has meant cllr Martin has stayed in the post for an extra 12 months during the same year that his wife, mayoress April Martin, became critically ill with covid.

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After tonight’s meeting, councillor Martin said in a statement:

“As my time as Harrogate district mayor comes to an end this evening, I’d like to say thank you to everyone for their help and support over the past two years.

“Both April and I have thoroughly enjoyed being mayor and mayoress, and we have met some truly incredible organisations and charities during that time.

“I am delighted to be able to pass on the chain of office to councillor Trevor Chapman, who I know will make an excellent mayor. It has been a great pleasure and I will leave with many happy memories of my two years in office.”

The role of the mayor is to chair full council meetings and represent the borough at ceremonies and events.

The mayor also raises money for charities and is required to put his or her political affiliations aside to be impartial.

Councillor Chapman has selected Supporting Older People, Citizens Advice and Friends of Harrogate Hospital as his chosen charities.

Christine Willoughby elected deputy mayor

Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat councillor Christine Willoughby, who represents Knaresborough Eastfield and served as mayor for the town, was also elected as deputy mayor for the Harrogate district at tonight’s meeting.

She takes over from Conservative councillor Zoe Metcalfe, who represents the Claro ward.

Conservative council leader Richard Cooper also announced at tonight’s meeting that no changes have been made to the cabinet, while a raft of committee chairs, vice-chairs and members were also voted in.

Call for ‘greater transparency’ over Knaresborough pool reopening

Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrats have called for “greater transparency” over the reopening of Knaresborough Pool.

Matt Walker, a local campaigner for the party, has written to Cllr Stan Lumley, cabinet member for leisure at Harrogate Borough Council, after the pool was not included on a list of openings on April 12.

A council newsletter has said Knaresborough pool will continue to remain closed until further notice.

It added engineers from the Spanish-based equipment manufacturer were unable to undertake urgent repair work because lockdown rules prevented them travelling.

Mr Walker said the council’s announcement “raised more questions than it answered” and that Knaresborough Pool needed to reopen as soon as possible.

He added that the facility had been closed “multiple times” for maintenance and had now been shut for more than a year.

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Mr Walker said:

“The council appears to have taken its eye off the ball, yet again. Residents deserve answers.

“Many other organisations have continued to carry out essential maintenance work during the lockdowns. It would appear that this is nothing more than poor planning from Harrogate Borough Council, but questions certainly need to be answered.

“Knaresborough pool is a real community asset. It is important for the health and wellbeing of thousands of local residents, so residents shouldn’t have to wait many additional months to see it return.”

The council’s other leisure centres — The Hydro in Harrogate, Nidderdale Pool and Leisure Centre and Ripon Leisure Centre — will open on April 12.

Knaresborough Pool is due to be demolished and replaced by a new leisure facility on the same location.

The council has been approached for comment.

Lib Dem leader resigns from Harrogate climate coalition

Pat Marsh, the leader of Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrats, has resigned from the Harrogate District Climate Change Coalition, accusing the group of being “plagued by inaction”.

HDCCC was set up by Harrogate Borough Council over a year ago to bring together local government, green groups and business.

HBC described the group as a “great leap forward” for the environment but the coalition has faced accusations from members over the past year that it is little more than a “talking shop”.

In a letter to Cllr Phil Ireland, HBC’s cabinet member for carbon reduction and sustainability, Cllr Marsh said the group had not done enough to tackle climate change locally.

She also criticised the group for its “neutral” response to Harrogate Spring Water’s controversial application in the Pinewoods. She said:

“A climate coalition’ was never our preferred option. We were always concerned that it would be plagued by inaction. Nevertheless, I and others joined the committee to push for positive change from the inside.

“However, our initial fears have been proven correct and it’s clear that only by engaging with residents across the district – bringing them into the process – do we have any hope of tackling this crisis.

“Liberal Democrat campaigners and I will continue working with local residents for a greener district, fighting to declare a local climate emergency and for bold solutions.”

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The Lib Dems have long called for the council to declare a “climate emergency”, which has been rejected.

HDCCC has four subgroups, which meet several times a year to discuss issues such as sustainable transport, tree planting, renewable energy, recycling and communications.

The Stray Ferret approached HBC and HDCCC for comment but did not receive one by the time of publication.

Andrew Jones MP ‘shocked’ by ‘inadequate’ free school meals

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones has spoken of his “shock” at the inadequacy of free school meals and called for urgent action.

A constituent in Knaresborough told Mr Jones she had received two pre-packed sandwiches, two mini yoghurts, an apple, an orange and two potatoes to feed her son for five days.

The Conservative MP said on his website this “simply isn’t good enough” and that he would ask children’s minister, Vicky Ford to investigate the issue “as a matter of urgency”. He added:

“There are reports that the companies distributing this food have been paid £30 for a week’s food but you could buy what my constituent received for a few pounds. Fortunately my constituent can manage this week but that isn’t the point.

“Surely it would have been better and cheaper to give parents a loaf of bread and the ingredients to make their own sandwiches rather than send supermarket pre-packs? It would have been more nutritious too.

“What has been sent seems to me to be completely inadequate. Whichever companies are being used to supply the meals need to buck their ideas up and do it pronto.”

Mr Jones voted against free school meals last year and his comments have drawn criticism from political opponents.

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Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrats tweeted:

“We were shocked that he voted against giving free meals to low income kids in the first place.”

Harrogate and Knaresborough Labour Party tweeted:

“Ten days worth of food costing £30! Cronyism in all its glory, profiteering from poverty and neglecting the very children that need to receive healthy, substantial food! Let’s hear our MP justify this!”